Sex Education

Support Comprehensive Sex Education | Support Abstinence-Only Sex Education | Law

Support Comprehensive Sex Education

Abstinence Only: A Joint Statement
Includes a joint statement of 45 organizations equating abstinence-only sex education with censorship and a fact sheet detailing the recent history of abstinence-only education. From the National Coalition Against Censorship.

Advocates for Youth
Links to articles that oppose abstinence-only sex education and support comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and contraception. From Advocates for Youth, an organization “dedicated to creating programs and advocating for policies that help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health.”

No More Money for Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs
Scroll down for links to brief information on the history, harmful consequences, and finances of abstinence-only education in the U.S. Also includes links to organizations that support comprehensive sexual education. From SIECUS: Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States.

Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing
Scroll down to find religious arguments in favor of sex education in schools and churches. Includes the Religious Declaration, a statement supporting "lifelong, age appropriate sexuality education" and provides a list of faith-based curricula as well as links to other organizations. From the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing.

Reproductive and Sexual Health
Links to articles on sexuality and abstinence education. The article "Sex Education in the U.S.: Policy and Politics" summarizes current federal, state, and local policies guiding sex education and discusses the effectiveness of different types of sex education curricula. From the Kaiser Family Foundation, an “independent philanthropy focusing on the major health care issues facing the nation.”

Sex Education: Politicians, Parents, Teachers, and Teens
Discusses the ways in which federally-funded abstinence-only education programs have changed sex education in the United States and critically evaluates the claims of abstinence-only advocates. From the Alan Guttmacher Institute, an organization “focused on sexual and reproductive health research, policy analysis and public education.”

Support Abstinence-Only Sex Education

Abstinence Clearinghouse
Provides articles supporting abstinence-only education. Click on Library, Teen Café, and News & Events in the upper right for more information, current news on abstinence, and articles written especially for teens. From the Abstinence Clearinghouse, “a non-profit national educational organization that promotes the appreciation for and practice of sexual abstinence.”

The Effectiveness of Abstinence Education
Presents the major arguments against comprehensive sexuality education and reviews ten abstinence-only education programs that are believed to have had a positive influence on the sexual behavior among unmarried teens. From the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

Teen Aware: Teens Talking to Teens About Abstinence
Scroll down and click on Overview, Resources, and Teen Web Sites for information on a wide range of abstinence-related resources. The Teen Aware Project is part of a Washington State effort to reduce teen pregnancy. From the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

WTW: Worth the Wait
Programs, testimonies, pictures and more that support abstinence.

Return to top

Law

Abstinence Education Under Welfare Reform
This report examines the legislative history of the $250 million abstinence education project funded under the 1996 Welfare Reform Act. Also discusses the evidence used to support and refute abstinence-only education. Co-authored by two members of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means.

The Evaluation of Abstinence Education Programs Funded Under Title V
Scroll down and click on the chapter headings for the background, implementation, and assessment of federally-funded abstinence-only education programs. This is an interim report of an ongoing study scheduled for completion in 2005. From Mathematica Policy Research, Inc under contract to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Working Toward Independence
This official White House press release celebrates the achievements of the 1996 Welfare Reform Act, including abstinence-only education programs. Click on "Encourage Abstinence and Prevent Teen Pregnancy" under the Table of Contents to read how abstinence education fits into the larger social goals of welfare reform.

Return to top

Snap Shots enhances links with visual previews. Learn More

Last Updated: September 11, 2008