Study Finds Parents Prefer Abstinence Education

A recent study conducted by the National Abstinence Education Association revealed that parents prefer the “wait until marriage” message.

“It should not be surprising that parents favor abstinence education,” said Rick Schatz, president and CEO of the National Coalition. “When they realize the negative emotional and physical consequences of premature sexual behavior among teens, the benefits of abstinence are clear.”

Currently, American teenagers lead the world in unwanted pregnancies and abortions, and lead the industrialized world in sexually transmitted diseases.

“These devastating statistics are a result of comprehensive sex education in schools, along with living in an ‘anything goes’ culture,” said Schatz. “As the study indicated, when parents have accurate information on abstinence education versus comprehensive sex education, they overwhelmingly choose the only safe sex – abstinence.”

Consider the following top ten findings on teen sexual behavior The Heritage Foundation recently published:

1. Adolescents in intact families are less likely to become sexually active compared to peers in non-intact families.
2. Girls who experienced a parental separation during childhood are more likely to engage in early sexual activity.
3. Among girls in intact families, those who report having a close relationship with their fathers are less likely to engage in sexual activity.
4. Adolescents whose mothers were teens when they first gave birth are more likely to initiate sexual activity at an early age.
5. Youth who pledge to protect their virginity until marriage are more likely to delay sexual activity.
6. Youth who receive more adult supervision are less likely to engage in sexual activity.
7. Youth who engage in sexual activity are at an increased risk for depression.
8. Among teenage boys, those from intact families with frequent religious attendance average the fewest sexual partners.
9. Teens in intact families are less likely to become pregnant compared to peers in other family structures.
10. Women who were sexually active in their teens are less likely to form and sustain stable marriages.

“From this data, it is evident that parental involvement and family structure also contribute to pre-marital sexual activity among teens,” added Schatz. “That is why the National Coalition not only encourages abstinence education, but also promotes healthy marriages and strong families.”

For more information on the recent National Abstinence Education Association study, click here.