FinalCriticalThinkingPaper

SaraKleine
CAPEnglish9
BlueGroup
4/24/16

Becauseabstinenceonlysexeducationlacksmedicalaccuracy,providesinadequate
informationaboutpreventingsexualriskbehaviors,andisineffectiveinloweringteenpregnancy
rates,theUnitedStatesgovernmentmusteliminatefederalfundingforabstinenceonlysex
educationprogramsandallocatemorefundingforcomprehensivesexeducationprogramsin
middleandhighschoolsnationwide.Abstinenceonlyeducationprogramsstresstheimportance
ofabstainingfromsexualactivityoutsideofmarriagewhileoftenneglectingtoprovide
informationontheeffectivenessofcontraceptivesandSTIprevention.Comprehensiveeducation
coversawiderangeoftopicsincludingvariouseffectivemethodsofpreventingpregnancyand
protectingagainstSTIs.Teenswhoaretaughtabstinenceonlyeducationarelesslikelythantheir
comprehensiveeducatedcounterpartstoreporttheuseofcontraceptionaswellasSTItesting
whentheydoengageinsexualactivity.Evidencesuggeststhattheyarealsomorelikelyto
experienceunintendedteenagepregnancythanteenswhoaretaughtcomprehensiveeducation.
Mythsregardingtheconsequencesofsexualactivitypriortomarriagearecommonlyreported
amongabstinenceonlyeducationprograms.Comprehensivesexeducationismedicallyaccurate
byprincipleandultimatelyprovidesteenswiththeinformationtheyneed.
TheU.S.federalgovernmenthasalonghistoryoffundingabstinenceonlyeducation
programs.Despiteeffortstocurbthisfunding,comprehensivesexeducationadvocateshave
facedbarriersthathavemadeendinggovernmentsupportoftheprogramsdifficult.
Since1981,
threemajorfundingstreamshavebeenintroducedforthepurposeofpromotingabstinenceonly
sexeducationforyouth.Passedin1981,theAdolescentFamilyLifeActemphasizeschastity
andselfdisciplineasthehealthiestwaystoliveinregardstoonessexuality(Historyof

AbstinenceOnlyFunding).In1996,TitleVof
TemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamilies
was
signedintolaw.Thiscreatedanewfundingstreaminwhichstatesweregivenfederalfundsto
useforabstinenceonlyprograms(HistoryofAbstinenceOnlyFunding).Theseprograms
weremandatedtoconsistofseveralelementsinorderforthestatestocontinuereceiving
funding.BecausethefirstelementrequiresthatTitleVfundedabstinenceonlyprogramshave
promotingabstinenceoutsideofmarriageastheirexclusivepurpose,programsmaynotinany
wayadvocatecontraceptiveuseordiscusscontraceptivemethodsexcepttoemphasizetheir
failurerates(HistoryofAbstinenceOnlyFunding).Finally,in2000,thethirdfundingstream,
CommunityBasedAbstinenceEducation,madeitsdebut.
Thenewfundingannouncementviewssexualabstinencepriortomarriageasthemagic
elixirtoamoreperfectlife.Sexualabstinencebeforemarriageiscreditedwithleadingto
ahappierlife,includinghavingahealthiermarriage...beingmoreresponsibleparents,
beinghonorableandhavingintegrity...havingfewerpsychologicaldisorders,avoiding
drug,alcohol,andtobaccouse(HistoryofAbstinenceOnlyFunding).
Between1996and2008,Congressputover1.5milliondollarsintothesefundingstreamsto
supportabstinenceonlysexeducation(HistoryofAbstinenceOnlyFunding).
Inrecentyears,comprehensivesexeducationinitiativeshavebeenintroducedthrough
Congress.ThePersonalResponsibilityEducationProgram,alsoknownasPREP,wascreatedin
March2010asapartofhealthcarereformlegislationunderPresidentObama.Thisprogram
allocatesfundstothestatesinordertoprovideyoungpeoplewithcomplete,medicallyaccurate,
andageappropriatesexeducationinordertohelpthemreducetheirriskofunintended
pregnancy,HIV/AIDS,andotherSTDs(FederalFundingforComprehensiveEducation).

PREPprogramsalsocoverarangeoftopicsthathelpyouthmakesafeandhealthydecisions
abouttheirlives(FederalFundingforComprehensiveEducation).Despitetheprogressmade
throughcomprehensivesexeducationprograms,thestruggletoeliminatefundingfrom
abstinenceonlyprogramshasbeensignificant.PresidentObamaattemptedtostopfundingfor
TitleVinhisfirstterm,butconservativemembersofCongresshaventbeenwillingtogiveup
thefight,andhavepositionedmoneyforabstinenceonlycoursesassomewhatofabargaining
chip(InsideAbstinenceOnlyEducation).RepublicanssuccessfullyrestoredTitleVfunding
in2010duringhealthcarereform(InsideAbstinenceOnlyEducation).Though
abstinenceonlysexeducationisoftenmedicallyinaccurateandnotevidencebased,advocates
forabstinenceonlyeducationpromotethebeliefthatsexoutsideofwedlockisinherently
harmful.
Earlysexualactivityisassociatedwithanincreasedriskofsexuallytransmitteddiseases
(STDs),reducedpsychologicalandemotionalwellbeing,loweracademicachievement,
teenpregnancy,andoutofwedlockchildbearing.Manyoftheserisksareavoidableif
teenschoosetoabstainfromsexualactivity(KimandRector).
Ideassuchasthosestatedaboveseverelyhindertheprogressofcomprehensivesexeducation
advocateswhowantallyouthtobeabletoreceiveaccurateandempoweringinformationtohelp
themfosterhealthysexuality.
AsofMarch2016,halfofthestatesintheU.S.requirethatsexeducationprograms
stress
abstinence.Just13statesmandatethatprogramsbemedicallyaccurate(StatePoliciesin
Brief).In2012,theUnitedStateshadoneofthehighestteenpregnancyratesofthedeveloped
worldalso,transmissionratesofchlamydiaandgonorrheawereextremelyhighamong

AmericanteensascomparedtoCanadianandWesternEuropeanteens(AmericanTeens
SourcesofInformation).Thereexistsacorrelationbetweenteenpregnancyratesand
abstinenceonlyeducation.Astudywhichassignedalevelofemphasisonabstinenceinsex
educationprograms
fromalevel0(abstinencenotmentioned)tolevel1(abstinencecovered),
and...alevel2abstinenceprovision(abstinenceemphasized)toalevel3(abstinencestressed)

in
eachofthe48continentalstatesandcomparedthistotheteenpregnancyandbirthratesinthese
statesconcludedthat

thenationaldatashowthattheincidenceofteenagepregnanciesandbirths
remainpositivelycorrelatedwiththedegreeofabstinenceeducationacrossstates:Themore
stronglyabstinenceisemphasizedinstatelawsandpolicies,thehighertheaverageteenage
pregnancyandbirthrate(HallandStangerHall).Thestudyalsofoundthatblackteensare
moreaffectedbyabstinenceonlysexeducationthanwhiteteens.Ingeneral,stateswithhigher
proportionsofwhiteteenstendedtoemphasizeabstinenceless...andstateswithhigher
proportionsofblackteenstendedtoemphasizeabstinencemore(HallandStangerHall).
Lowerincomestatesalsohadhigherlevelsofabstinenceonlyeducationthanhigherincome
states(HallandStangerHall).
Despitetheeffortsofabstinenceonlyadvocatestodelaysexualintercourseuntil
marriage,61percentofteenshavehadsexbythetimetheyreachage18(TeensSexualand
ReproductiveHealth).Whentheprimaryfocusofasexeducationprogramispromoting
abstinence,therealitythatthemajorityofyouth
will
havesexbeforemarriageisignored.This
resultsinnegativeconsequencesforyoungpeople.Forexample,asignificantportionofyoung
adultshavenotreceivededucationoncontraception.Amongteensaged1819,41%reportthat
theyknowlittleornothingaboutcondomsand75%saytheyknowlittleornothingaboutthe

contraceptivepill(AmericanTeensSourcesofInformation).Onecommonfeatureof
abstinenceonlysexeducationprogramsarevirginitypledges.Thesearepromisesparticipants
maketoabstainfromsexuntilmarriageinordertokeepthemselvessexuallypure.According
toa2005studybyresearchersatYaleandColumbiaUniversities,pledgersand
nonpledgerswereatthesameriskforcontractingSTIs.Thestudyalsofoundthatcomparedto
nonpledgers,notonlywerepledgerslesslikelytousecondomstopreventSTDsatfirst
intercourse,theywerelesslikelytoseekmedicaltestingandtreatment,increasingpossibilityof
transmission(VirginityPledgers).Itisinevitablethatteenswhoparticipateinabstinenceonly
sexeducationwillhavesex.Evidently,thiseducationhasnotadequatelypreparedthemtobe
sexuallyresponsiblewhentheydo.
Advocatesforabstinenceonlysexeducationbelievethewaytolowerteenpregnancyis
topreachabstinencetostudents.Theevidencesuggestsotherwise.WhiletheU.S.teen
pregnancyrateisonthedecline,Themajority(86%)ofthedeclineintheteenpregnancyrate
between1995and2002wastheresultofdramaticimprovementsincontraceptiveuse...Just14%
ofthedeclineisattributabletodecreasedsexualactivity(AmericanTeensSourcesof
Information).ProvidingcomprehensiveeducationthatthoroughlycoverscontraceptionandSTI
preventionislikelytoshowthemostsuccessfulresults.Currently,PlannedParenthoodis
supportedbytheTeenPregnancyPreventionInitiative(TPPI),whichisafederalinitiativethat
provides$101millionannuallytocommunityorganizationsandlocalgovernmentsfor
evidencebased,teenpregnancypreventionprograms(SexEducation).Theprogramsare
basedonotherswhichhavesignificantevidencethattheyreduceteenpregnancybyhelping
youngpeopletoeitherpostponesexualintercourseorusecondomsand/orcontraceptionwhen

theydobecomesexuallyactive(SexEducation).AccordingtotheCDCsTaskForceon
CommunityPreventiveServices,ComprehensiveRiskReductionprograms,groupbased
programsdeliveredtoadolescentstopromotebehaviorsthatpreventorreducetheriskof
pregnancy,HIV,andotherSTDshavesufficientevidencetoconcludethatsuchinterventions
canhaveabeneficialeffectonpublichealth(FundingforComprehensive).Pushingfor
evidencebasedcomprehensivesexeducationinitiativessuchasthesewillhelpensurethatmore
youngAmericanswillhaveaccesstoadequatesexualhealthinformation.Thiscanbedonewhile
usingresearchthatprovesabstinenceonlyeducationineffectivetopressureCongresstodefund
abstinenceonlyprograms.
IfabstinenceonlysexeducationremainscommonintheU.S.,youngpeoplewill
continuetosuffertheconsequencesofmisinformationandshaming.Mythsthatdiscouragethe
useofcondomsandcontraception,promotegenderstereotypesasfact,andusefeartopersuade
teenstowaituntilmarriagearecommoninabstinenceonlyprograms.Forexample,ateacher
handbookfromtheprogram
GamePlan
reads:
Game

Plan
doesnotpromotetheuseofcontraceptivesforteens.Nocontraceptivedevice
isguaranteedtopreventpregnancy.Additionally,studentswhodonotchoosetoexercise
selfcontroltoremainabstinentarenotlikelytoexerciseselfcontrolintheuseofa
contraceptivedevice(InTheirOwnWords).
Whenteenswhoaretaughtthismythhavesex,theywillnotbeinformedofhowtoprevent
pregnancyandprotectthemselvesfromSTIs.Genderstereotypesarehighlyemphasizedin
abstinenceonlyprograms.Inthe
ReasonableReasonstoWait
studentworkbook,itreads:

Girlsneedtobeawaretheymaybeabletotellwhenakissisleadingtosomethingelse.The
girlmayneedtoputthebrakesonfirstinordertohelptheboy(InTheirOwnWords).This
mythpromotestheideathatwomenaregatekeeperswhoholdalloftheresponsibilityinasexual
situation.Finally,abstinenceonlyprogramsfrequentlyshamestudentsintobelievingthatifone
participatesinpremaritalsex,his/herworthinessasapersondecreases.A
ChoosingtheBest
PATH
teachersguidereads,Eachtimeasexuallyactivepersongivesthatmostpersonalpartof
himselforherselfaway,thatpersoncanloseasenseofpersonalvalueandworth.Itallcomes
downtoselfrespect(InTheirOwnWords).Thesemythsdegradeandhumiliateteens.More
importantly,theylie.Sinceyoungpeoplewhoparticipateinabstinenceonlyprogramsareboth
morelikelytobecomepregnantandlesslikelytogetcheckedforSTIs,itisclearthatthe
continuanceofabstinenceonlyeducationintheU.S.posesalegitimatethreattopublichealth
andthepersonalwellbeingofyouth.

Themaingoalsofabstinenceonlysexeducationprogramsaretodelaysexualintercourse

andlowerteenpregnancyrates.However,researchshowsthattheseprogramsareineffectivein
achievingeitherofthesegoals.Abstinenceonlysexeducationisbuiltonmisinformation,shame,
andunrealisticexpectations.Itleavesyoungpeopleunpreparedforhealthysexualrelationships
byneglectingtoprovidecriticalinformation.Comprehensivesexeducationisevidencebased
andgivesyouththetoolstheyneedtoleadsafeandhealthylives,sexualandotherwise.The
UnitedStatesgovernmentmusteliminatefederalfundingforabstinenceonlysexeducation
programsandallocatemorefundingforcomprehensivesexeducationprogramsinmiddleand
highschoolsnationwide.Thetimeisnow.Teensandourcountrycannotcontinuetopaythe
priceofabstinenceonlysexeducation.

WorksCited

CulpRessler,Tara.InsideFederallyFundedAbstinenceOnlyEducation:FlushingTaxpayer
DollarsDownTheToilet.
ThinkProgress
.CenterforAmericanProgressActionFund,4
May2015.Web.20Mar.2016.<http://thinkprogress.org>.
GuttmacherInstitute,ed.FactSheet:AmericanTeensSexualandReproductiveHealth.
GuttmacherInstitute
.GuttmacherInstitute,May2014.Web.20Mar.2016.
<http://www.guttmacher.org>.
,ed.FactsonAmericanTeensSourcesofInformationaboutSex.
GuttmacherInstitute
.
GuttmacherInstitute,Feb.2012.Web.20Mar.2016.<https://www.guttmacher.org>.
,comp.
StatePoliciesinBrief:SexandHIVEducation
.N.p.:GuttmacherInstitute,2016.
Print.StatePoliciesinBrief.
Kim,Christine,andRobertRector.AbstinenceEducation:AssessingtheEvidence.
Heritage.org
.HeritageFoundation,22Apr.2008.Web.20Mar.2016.
<http://www.heritage.org>.
PlannedParenthood.SexEducation.
PlannedParenthood
.PlannedParenthoodActionFund,
n.d.Web.20Mar.2016.<http://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org>.
SexualityInformationandEducationCounciloftheUnitedStates.ABriefHistoryofFederal
AbstinenceOnlyUntilMarriageFunding.
SIECUS
.SIECUS,n.d.Web.20Mar.2016.
<http://www.siecus.org>.
.AnExplanationofFederalFundingforMoreComprehensiveApproachestoSex
Education.
SIECUS
.SIECUS,n.d.Web.20Mar.2016.<http://www.siecus.org>.

.VirginityPledgersMoreLikelytoEngageinRiskySexualBehaviorincludingOraland
AnalSex.
SIECUS
.SIECUS,n.d.Web.20Mar.2016.<http://www.siecus.org>.
SexualityInformationCounciloftheUnitedStates.InTheirOwnWords:What
AbstinenceOnlyUntilMarriageProgramsSay.
SIECUS
.SIECUS,n.d.Web.20Mar.
2016.<http://www.siecus.org>.
StangerHall,Kathrin,andDavidHall.AbstinenceOnlyEducationandTeenPregnancyRates:
WhyWeNeedComprehensiveSexEducationintheU.S.
PLOSOne
(2011):n.pag.
Print.

AnnotatedBibliography

AdvocatesforYouth.TheTruthaboutAbstinenceOnlyPrograms.
AdvocatesforYouth
.
AdvocatesforYouth,2007.Web.15Feb.2016.
<http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/publicationsaz/409thetruthaboutabs
tinenceonlyprograms>.Thisonlinepublicationgivesmeevidencetodispelmythsabout
abstinenceonlyeducation.Itprovidesfactsthatsupporttheclaimthatabstinenceonly
educationisnotaneffectivesexeducationmethod.Thispublicationhelpedmepull
togethermythreemainarguments.Italsoledmetoseveralotherrelevantsourcesinits
bibliography.
CulpRessler,Tara.InsideFederallyFundedAbstinenceOnlyEducation:FlushingTaxpayer
DollarsDownTheToilet.
ThinkProgress
.CenterforAmericanProgressActionFund,4
May2015.Web.20Mar.2016.
<http://thinkprogress.org/health/2015/05/04/3653784/congressfundingabstinenceonly/
>.Thisarticlegavemesomeinformationonthebarrierscomprehensivesexeducation
advocateshavetoface.Italsogavemesomeideawhyfederalfundingfor
abstinenceonlysexeducationprogramsstillexistsdespitethefactthatabstinenceonly
sexeducationisnotsupportedbyevidence.Itmademeawareofthekindsofmyths
commonlytaughtinABonlyeducationanddirectedmetosourceswhereIcouldfind
moreinformationaboutthosemyths.
Cushman,Nicole,DebraHauser,andMonicaRodriguez.WeveBeenHereBefore:Congress
QuietlyIncreasesFundingforAbstinenceOnlyPrograms.
RHRealityCheck
.Ed.Jodi

Jacobson.N.p.,23Apr.2015.Web.15Feb.2016.
<http://rhrealitycheck.org/article/2015/04/23/wevecongressquietlyincreasesfundingab
stinenceprograms/>.Thisarticlegavemeamoreclearunderstandingofwhichtypesof
sexeducationprogramsarefederallyfundedandthehistoryoffederalfundingtowards
abstinenceonlyprograms.ItalsoexplainedwhythisfundingharmsAmericanyouth.
Thisarticleplayedasignificantroleinthedevelopmentofmythesisstatement.
GuttmacherInstitute,ed.FactSheet:AmericanTeensSexualandReproductiveHealth.
GuttmacherInstitute
.GuttmacherInstitute,May2014.Web.20Mar.2016.
<http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/FBATSRH.html>.Thisfactsheetgavemeagood
backgroundonthestatisticsregardingteensexualbehaviorintheUnitedStates.Iused
thisinformationtoshowthatthemajorityofyoungadultshavehadsexandtherefore
shouldhaveknowledgeofcontraceptionandSTIprevention.
,ed.FactsonAmericanTeensSourcesofInformationaboutSex.
GuttmacherInstitute
.
GuttmacherInstitute,Feb.2012.Web.20Mar.2016.
<https://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/FBTeenSexEd.html>.Thisfactsheetgaveme
statisticsonwhatinformationandskillsAmericanteensknewandhowtheyhadobtained
theirknowledgeaboutsex.Italsogavemeinformationontheeffectivenessofbothmajor
typesofsexeducationprograms:abstinenceonlyandcomprehensive.
,comp.
StatePoliciesinBrief:SexandHIVEducation
.N.p.:GuttmacherInstitute,2016.
Print.StatePoliciesinBrief.Thisreportishelpfulbecauseitshowsveryrecent
statebystatelawsandpoliciesregardingsexeducation.Itprovidesevidencethatsex
educationisnotrequiredtobemedicallyaccurateinthemajorityofstates.Italsoshows

thathalfofstatesrequireabstinencetobestressed.Thisdatamakesitclearthatmuchof
theUnitedStatesencouragessexeducationofanabstinenceormarriageonlynature.
Thissourcealsoledmetoseveralotherrelevantsourcesinitsbibliography.
Kim,Christine,andRobertRector.AbstinenceEducation:AssessingtheEvidence.
Heritage.org
.HeritageFoundation,22Apr.2008.Web.20Mar.2016.
<http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2008/04/abstinenceeducationassessingtheev
idence>.Thisarticlegavemealookatthebeliefsoftheopposingsideofmyargument.
Thishelpedmetobetterunderstandwhyprogresstowardseliminatingfederalfundingfor
ABonlyeducationhasbeenslow.IusedthisarticletoexposetheideologyofABonly
educationadvocatesandexplainwhyithasbeenimpedingtheprogressofcomprehensive
educationadvocates.
Kohler,PamelaK.,andLisaE.Manhart.AbstinenceOnlyandComprehensiveSexEducation
andtheInitiationofSexualActivityandTeenPregnancy.
JournalofAdolescentHealth
(2008):n.pag.Print.ThisarticleintheJournalofAdolescentHealthprovidesevidence
ofmythirdargument.Thearticledetailsastudywhichconcludedthatteenswhoare
taughtabstinenceonlysexeducationaremorelikelytobecomepregnantthanteenswho
aretaughtcomprehensiveeducation.Italsoconcludesthatabstinenceonlyeducationis
noteffectiveindelayingsexualintercourse.
NationalDataShowsComprehensiveSexEducationBetteratReducingTeenPregnancythan
AbstinenceOnlyPrograms.
SIECUS
.N.p.,Mar.2008.Web.15Feb.2016.
<http://www.siecus.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Feature.showFeature&featureID=1041>.
ThisstudywasconductedbyresearchersattheUniversityofWashingtonanditanalyzed

sexualbehaviorsandpregnancybasedamongteenswhohadreceivedcomprehensive,
abstinenceonly,andnosexeducation.Thefindingsofthisstudyarehelpfultomy
argumentthatabstinenceonlyeducationisineffectiveinachievingitsgoalsofreduced
teenpregnancyanddelayedparticipationinsexualactivity.Italsohelpssupportmy
claimthatcomprehensivesexeducationisthebestmethod.
PlannedParenthood.SexEducation.
PlannedParenthood
.PlannedParenthoodActionFund,
n.d.Web.20Mar.2016.
<http://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/issues/sexeducation>.Thisarticlegaveme
informationaboutcurrentinitiativesthataretakingplacetopromotecomprehensivesex
educationprograms.Iusedthisinformationtowritethepossiblesolutionstothe
problempieceofmyresearchpaper.
SexualityInformationandEducationCounciloftheUnitedStates.ABriefHistoryofFederal
AbstinenceOnlyUntilMarriageFunding.
SIECUS
.SIECUS,n.d.Web.20Mar.2016.
<http://www.siecus.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&PageID=1158>.This
articleprovidedathoroughexplanationofthehistoryoftheproblem.Iusedthis
informationtoprovideinformationonthe3majorfederalfundingstreamsfor
abstinenceonlysexeducationprograms.Fromthisarticle,Iwasalsoabletofind
summariesofwhateachprogrampromotedandwhatCongressionalactionshavebeen
takenrelatedtotheseprograms.
.AnExplanationofFederalFundingforMoreComprehensiveApproachestoSex
Education.
SIECUS
.SIECUS,n.d.Web.20Mar.2016.
<http://www.siecus.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&PageID=1262>.This

articlegavemeknowledgeofthestridesthatarebeingmadetowardsimplementingmore
comprehensivesexeducationprogramsintheUnitedStates.Itgavemethorough
informationononespecificfederallyfundedprogram,calledthePersonalResponsibility
EducationProgram,orPREP.ThisarticlealsoinformedmeofPresidentObamaswork
tosupportcomprehensivesexeducation.
.VirginityPledgersMoreLikelytoEngageinRiskySexualBehaviorincludingOraland
AnalSex.
SIECUS
.SIECUS,n.d.Web.20Mar.2016.
<http://www.siecus.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Feature.showFeature&featureID=1293>.
Thisarticleinformedmethatpeoplewhotakevirginitypledges,acommonfeatureof
abstinenceonlysexeducation,aremorelikelytoengageinsexualriskbehaviorsandless
likelytopreventSTIsandgettested.ThisbacksupmyargumentthatABonlysex
educationdoesnotmeetitsgoals.
SexualityInformationCounciloftheUnitedStates.InTheirOwnWords:What
AbstinenceOnlyUntilMarriageProgramsSay.
SIECUS
.SIECUS,n.d.Web.20Mar.
2016.<http://www.siecus.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&PageID=1199>.
Thisfactsheetgavespecificexamplesofmythstaughtinvariousabstinenceonly
programsoverthepastdecadeorso.Thisgavemeevidencetobackupmyclaimthat
ABonlysexeducationisoftenmedicallyinaccurateandspreadsmythsaboutsexual
health.
StangerHall,Kathrin,andDavidHall.AbstinenceOnlyEducationandTeenPregnancyRates:
WhyWeNeedComprehensiveSexEducationintheU.S.
PLOSOne
(2011):n.pag.
Print.Thisarticleisusefulbecauseitprovidesevidenceofthecorrelationbetweenthe

primarytypeofsexeducationtaughtandteenpregnancyratesinstates.Itbacksupthe
suggestionmademythirdargumentthatteenswhoreceiveabstinenceonlysex
educationmaybemorelikelythanteenswhoreceivecomprehensivesexeducationto
becomepregnant(orbeinvolvedinapregnancy).Thisarticlealsoexplainshowvarious
racesandsocioeconomicclassesareaffectedbyabstinenceonlyeducation.