Negative Congressional Hearing Will Show Abstinence Education Has Positive Effects
Dr. Stan Weed to reveal abstinence education can reduce teen sex by 50-percent
Washington, DC (April 22, 2008) — The National Abstinence Education Association (NAEA) calls upon Congress to accept the evidence-based research that proves abstinence education is effective at delaying sexual activity in teens and reducing risky behavior, including the number of partners, in teens who are already sexually active. Dr. Stan Weed, leading researcher on youth behavior and President of The Institute for Research and Evaluation, will share with Congress research that suggests abstinence education can cut in half the rates of teen sexual activity, and that abstinence education classes do not deter sexually active teens from using condoms. The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will review abstinence education at a hearing April 23, 2008.
"Not only do Dr. Weed's studies provide proof that abstinence education is the best health message for teens," said Valerie Huber, Executive Director, NAEA, "but he will reveal compelling research that shows so-called comprehensive sex education has little evidence of success."
Abstinence education programs teach teens medically accurate information about pregnancy prevention, STDs, HIV/AIDS and contraception, all within the context that abstaining is the only way to completely avoid the physical and emotional risks of casual sex. In 2007, abstinence education received $174 million in federal funding. Contraception-based programs received $370.5 million.
"Contraception based programs spend less than 10-percent of class time promoting abstinence and this hearing will reveal the risky behaviors, such as showering together, that commonly used sex education programs are teaching young people," Huber said. "Despite the fact that Chairman Waxman has stacked the witness panel 7 to 2 against abstinence education, lawmakers should recognize that funding abstinence education is a wise investment, one American parents support by a three to one margin over funding comprehensive sex education.”
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About NAEA:
NAEA serves and supports abstinence educators from 43 states who work with more than 1.5 million students across the U.S.
For more information: http://www.abstinenceassociation.org
To schedule an interview with NAEA Executive Director Valerie Huber, please contact Patra Stephan at 202-248-5420 or 202-246-3822.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patra Stephan, Communications Director,
202.248.5420/
202-246-3822