A few clean thoughts about ‘rethinking abstinence’

In response to the “Rethinking Abstinence” editorial (BDN, Sept. 17), I would like to present scientific facts from current research on contemporary abstinence education programs being delivered to our teens.

A peer-reviewed 2004 study, reported in the Journal of Adolescent Health, examined current national comprehensive sex ed programs and abstinence education programs and concluded that increased abstinence education is responsible for the majority of the nationwide decline in teen pregnancies.

Abstinence educators believe – as do most parents – that children are benefited most by a healthy message that discourages casual sex in favor of building healthy relationships. A recent 2007 Zogby Survey, commissioned by the National Abstinence Education Association, revealed that parents prefer abstinence education over comprehensive sex education 2 to 1. That same poll shows that six out of 10 parents think more government funding should be given to abstinence programs. Only two out of 10 parents want additional funding for comprehensive sex education.

Parents and policymakers must clearly understand the vast public health policy differences between character-based abstinence education and so-called comprehensive sex education programs.

Youth abstinence education programs offer a holistic approach, yielding increased self-worth and the motivation to set appropriate boundaries in order to achieve goals. Abstinence education teaches the realities of sexually transmitted diseases and the best way to prevent them. Studies completed over the past five years show that comprehensive sex ed programs do little more than promote contraceptive use, spending less than 5 percent of course time promoting abstinence. A recent 2007 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study found that sex ed programs exaggerate the effectiveness of condoms and encourage a false sense of protection in young people.

Journalists and researchers routinely report the all-too-familiar statistics to us that no matter what steps are taken, one in five girls involved in sexual activity get pregnant, and one in four sexually active teens ends up with a sexually transmitted disease. The vast emotional pain young people suffer as a result of listening to abstinophobic messages is laid bare in titles like “Unprotected” by Dr. M. Grossman, “Unhooked” by L. Sessions Stepp and “The Naked Truth” by L. Garth.

Maine surveys show the vast emotional devastation self-reported by our youth in high rates of depression and contemplation of suicide. National research has now linked early sexual activity with increased risk of depression in teens. Maine surveys also show that the majority of our teens do not engage in sexual intercourse and that they want information on how to have healthy, non-sexual relationships. They deserve our support and reinforcement for the choice they have made. Additionally, 2007 data show that, currently defined A-H abstinence education is effective in Maine and that this positive, straight-to-the-heart message has been enthusiastically received by teens.

The Mathematica study cited in the BDN editorial evaluated only four abstinence programs out of the more than 700 available across the United States. These programs were some of the first-ever developed in 1999, not comparable with current interactive curricula that over 40 states now offer to their public school students. There are seven peer-reviewed, published studies, including a review by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2007, showing that abstinence education decreases sexual initiation, decreases promiscuity among sexually experienced teens, and/or decreases the number of partners among sexually active teens, all significant factors for reducing HIV/AIDS transmission.

It is unfortunate that the choice to accept Title V federal funding for state abstinence education programs is set to expire Sunday unless Congress hears from constituents to extend its funding. The Bangor Daily News editorial reported that in the past decade $787.5 million has been spent on abstinence education, and, I might add, has brought statistically excellent returns nationwide.

The Bangor Daily News failed to report that comprehensive sex education has access to nearly $1.8 billion in 2007 alone, with still no decline of sexually transmitted diseases in sight.

That’s a lot of money for a program most parents do not even want.

Bob Emrich lives in Plymouth. He is director of the Maine Jeremiah Project and pastor of Emmanuel Bible Baptist Church. He may be contacted via e-mail at mjp@midmaine.com