Study Shows Abstinence Sex Education Works, But Not Well Enough

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I agree with Schlesinger's comment that this study totally misses the point. Additionally, abstinence-only should at best be referred to as a program, never as education. Abstinence-only is the abscence of any type of education and information. It does not matter if it were to make all young people refrain from pre-marital sex (which we know it doesn't), it will still never make them more informed and empowered to make their own decisions and grow as human beings. And herein lies the problem with Schlesinger's commentary: This is also not about preventing teenage pregnancy.
If we continue to frame this debate in absolute terms of right and wrong, we are missing the most important things we should be trying to achieve. Take teenage pregnancy for example; this is a topic that is always seen as wrong, and something which we are always trying to prevent. Most states have teenage pregnancy prevention programs. However I have yet to come across one of these programs that takes a rights-based approach, and considers each individual young person's desires and needs.
Teenage pregnancy is bad if it happens because the young woman and man were denied the human right to education (comprehensive sexuality education) and the right to healthcare (contraception and / or emergency contraception), or if the young woman was denied the right to a life free from violence (rape, sexual coercion). Teenage pregnancy is not bad if the young woman makes an informed and free choice to have sex and a child. Young women who are considered mature minors have the same right as adult women do to freely determine the number and spacing of their children.
Comprehensive sexuality education is therefore about fulfilling young people's right to information and education. It is about recognizing that young people are agents of their own lives, and that with information and support they are able to make healthy decisions for themselves. This is about empowering young people.

Evelina Borjesson of NC 1:33PM February 02, 2010