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Study Finds Virginity Pledge Not Effective Deterrent to Premarital Sex

Parents received bad news this week in a study conducted by Janet E. Rosenbaum, of John Hopkins University. In a study of teens who take a virginity pledge, agreeing to remain a virgin till marriage, no significance was found in their likelihood of having sex over those who did not take the pledge. More than a thousand teens were surveyed, from both the pledge group and a non-pledge group. The members of the group who pledged to maintain virginity were just as likely to have sex, and with multiple partners. The startling news was they were also more likely to have sex without a condom.

The entire study group came from the same group of teens, chosen from more conservative and religious homes, those usually making up the membership of abstinence groups. Previous studies of abstinence groups usually compared teens in the group against more liberal teens. This is the first time teens within the same group were compared.

The most interesting aspect of the study was the finding that teens in the abstinence group, while participating in fairly normal sexual behavior as other teens within their peer group, were much more likely to not use a condom when having sex. This behavior may be linked to the absence of any teaching within the abstinence groups about using sexual protection.

The study may raise an issue in the new Democratic Congress about its continued funding for abstinence education at the expense of teaching the use of protection. Abstinence became the accepted recipient for federal funding in the Bush Administration, under influence from the Religious Right. Religious leaders rejected the teaching of the use of condoms and other protection with public funds, believing their view of total abstinence was the only way to address the problem.

Rosenbaum states that for whatever reason, teens do not seem to be internalizing the pledge and as a result succumb to the same pressures as other teens to have sex. 82% of those who took the pledge, engaged in variety of sex acts, and were involved with an average of three partners by age 21, even though they were not married.

Other studies support the idea that church based abstinence programs tend to give teens a negative view of sexual protection and other birth control devices. The Catholic Church, in particular, continues to take a narrow view of sex education and contraceptives.

Among other conclusions that can be taken from the study is the fact that parents should take the leading role in this discussion in the home. Most parents are many times relieved when their responsibility for the sexual education of their children is taken over by the church, school, etc. and then when it does not work, are quick to blame someone else, when in reality it is their responsibility.

Studies conclude the best place for a teen to learn about sex is from their parents. Parents should be proactive, and take the lead in having the conversation, which may open the door for further discussion, and confidentiality on the issue. It is never too late to make the start, and with the serious ramifications of this study, now is the appropriate time.

Learn more about this author, Dr. Michael Smith.
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