Teaching abstinence-only sex education in schools may have little or no effect on the time young people begin engaging in sexual activity, a recent study revealed.
The study suggests students enrolled in sexual abstinence programs were just as likely to have sex a few years after the class as compared to students who did not take an abstinence-only class. The study, funded by the U.S. Congress, also found students taking abstinence-only classes were no more likely to have unprotected sex.
The study may play a role in government sex education spending and be further evidence for states currently rejecting abstinence-only education. At the University, health educators say they strive for comprehensive sex education.
Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., which conducted the study for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluated four abstinence-only programs to gauge their effectiveness. A total of 2,057 students in Miami, Milwaukee, Powhatan, Va., and Clarksdale, Miss., took part in the study. Abstinence-only students were compared to students in those same cities who did not participate in an abstinence-only class.
Students in the abstinence-only programs took the classes in 1999 at the age of 11 or 12. A follow-up survey in 2005 and 2006 given to those same students found about half of abstinence-only students and about half of the control group students reported they were abstinent. The average age for first having sex was 14.9, according to the study.
University Health Center educator Ramah Leith said she wasn’t surprised by the results.
“Society is bombarded with sexual messages,” she said. Leith added that hormones play a role in deciding when to have sex.
The health center tries to teach University students comprehensive methods, including abstinence.
“We tell students that abstinence is the best way, but if you choose to be sexually active, there are some things you can do,” Leith said. The health center educates students through presentations, hand-out materials, counseling and a student internship program. The health center also provides free condoms.
Harry Wilson, commissioner of the Family and Youth Services Bureau at the Administration for Children and Families, said the study provides more insight to sex education programs.
“It shows a failure on both parts, not just abstinence,” Wilson said. “If the students took comprehensive sex classes, you’d think those numbers would be better than abstinence.”
Mathematica researcher Ken Fortson said an important piece of the study found abstinence-only programs did not increase the rate of unprotected sex.
“That’s one the criticisms of these programs,” Fortson said. “Some say they may increase the rate of having sex without birth control. We didn’t find any evidence of that.”
Leith said she’d like to see more research examining a wider variety programs.
Mathematica chose the four cities because they had abstinence-only programs that could be duplicated, Fortson said.
“At the same time, it’s only four programs, so the results can’t necessarily be projected onto all abstinence-only programs,” Fortson said, adding that the study is the “most rigorous” evaluation so far on the topic.
Congress may renew the State Abstinence Education Program this summer, which gives grants to help fund abstinence education. For every $3 a state provides, the federal government will provide $4 to fund abstinence education. The federal government has authorized up to $50 million each year for the program.
Eight states, including Montana, have declined or plan to decline taking part in the program for fear the White House will dictate that the money be used for abstinence-only classes. The program mandates students be taught abstinence from sexual activity is normal outside of marriage, and out-of-wedlock childbirth is likely to have harmful consequences for the child, the parents, and society.
Joseph Lowndes, assistant professor of political science, questions whether the Bush administration would consider changing sexual education policy.
“Often, that administration makes policy based on principles, not effectiveness,” Lowndes said.
Bush’s funding of abstinence-only programs may be serving Christian conservatives, Lowndes said, adding they showed strong support for Bush in 2000 and 2004.
“That’s part of his base that he has to hold onto, even more so than ever right now, because he’s losing support elsewhere,” Lowndes said.
Lowndes said the topic could prove to be interesting in the next election.
“It might be interesting to see whether or not Republican candidates are going to debate or deal with the issue, or distance themselves from it altogether,” he said.
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