More Bad News for the Abstinence-Only Folks

How many studies does it take to prove a program isn't working?

Oh, I wish that was the start of a joke.

This week, the British Medical Journal published an article reviewing 13 abstinence-only-until-marriage programs with data on almost 16,000 students.

No surprise to me or my readers -- their conclusions are the same as other peer reviewed studies. NO program affected the incidence of unprotected vaginal intercourse, the number of partners, condom use or sexual initiation -- and one program actually increased STDS, pregnancies, and sexual frequency.

You can read it yourself at http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/335/7613/248?eaf

But, am I optimistic that this data is going to convince the abstinence-only proponents in Congress to end the multiple million dollar program any time soon? Probably not. But perhaps it will at least help with the requirement that future programs be both medically accurate and based on effectiveness.

Truth telling should always win out.

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I'm pleased to tell you that the Religious Institute is quoted in an article on Sex Education in today's New York Times. So far this month, we've been quoted in USA Today, the Washington Post, the NY Times, the Miami Herald, the LA Times, the Boston Globe, and so on. Help us get our voice out -- consider donating to support our media efforts.