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Article: Researcher finds 'no strong evidence' that abstinence programs work
- Article from:
- Contemporary Sexuality
- Article date:
- November 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, & Therapists Nov 2008. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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A new study by Doug Kirby, PhD, has found that abstinence-only sexuality education programs don't work. Published in the September issue of Sexuality Research & Social Policy, the paper examined 56 studies that measured the impact of both abstinence-only and comprehensive sexuality programs.
"Study results indicated that most abstinence programs did not delay initiation of sex and only 3 of the 9 had any significant positive effects on any sexual behavior," Kirby wrote. (The other programs reviewed were comprehensive.)
The comprehensive sexuality programs fared better. About two-thirds of those programs increased contraceptive use or delayed the age of first sexual intercourse. As a ...