Background

• Over the last decade these programs have become more common in the U.S. as a result of federal funding initiatives.
• The programs have been criticized in Congress, with one opponent, Henry A. Waxman of California, citing several examples of the presentation of inaccurate information being presented. Some include artificial increases in the failure rates of contraceptives to prevent pregnancies and the contraction of STDs. Another cited criticism was the false claim that abortion increases the risk of infertility, premature birth for subsequent pregnancies, and ectopic pregnancy. (Source: US House of Representatives - Cmt. of Government Reform)
• The ongoing debate is whether or not abstinence-only sex education actually succeeds in maintaining abstinence. (Source: Population Connection)

Debate

Support

• People who support abstinence-only sex ed believe that the emphasis should be on morality and support the idea that sex should only occur within the confines of marriage.
• They believe that teens should not be taught about ways to make sex "safer" since abstinence is the only perfect way to prevent unwanted pregnancies, and the contraction of sexually transmitted diseases.

Oppose

• A study conducted by the National Campaign To Prevent Teenage Pregnancy found that ""the overwhelming weight of evidence shows that sex education that discusses contraception does not increase sexual activity" disputing the claim that comprehensive sex ed encourages teens to participate in sexual activities.
• Opponents believe that abstinence-only programs are essentially scare tactics and try to enforce morality on students to the point that it verges on religious interference in education.
• They believe that some portion of teenagers will have sex outside of marriage, and that it is better that they know how to do it safely than to risk unsafe sex.

Country Comparison

• France has had mandatory sex ed classes since 1973 and as part of them, distributes condoms to students in these classes, which begin in 8th grade. School nurses are also allowed to distribute the "morning after" pill. (Source: Britain: Sex Ed Under Fire)
• German schools cover the use of contraceptives, but do not provide them to students.
• Most Asian countries have only recently made sex ed mandatory, but the use of contraceptives is not usually covered. Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan lack sex ed classes altogether.
• In African countries where AIDS is epidemic, abstinence-only sex ed has mostly been phased out in favor of programs run by the World Health Organization and other international Non-Government Organizations. The common program teaches the "ABC"s: A - abstinence, B - be faithful to your partner, C - condom use. A decrease in HIV prevalence has been seen in many countries with this program. (Source: WHO)

Recent Legislation

• President Bush's "President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief", announced in 2004, has received criticism worldwide for its emphasis on abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. (Source: US Government Accountability Office)