Changes

Starting in about the 1990s, "abstinence" has been more commonly used in the context of abstinence from [[sexual]] intercourse, particularly in the United States in the context of [[sex]] education for adolescents. Thus, for example, we read in a 2002 White House policy statement:

Starting in about the 1990s, "abstinence" has been more commonly used in the context of abstinence from [[sexual]] intercourse, particularly in the United States in the context of [[sex]] education for adolescents. Thus, for example, we read in a 2002 White House policy statement:

:..."the goal of Federal policy should be to emphasize abstinence as the only certain way to avoid both unintended pregnancies and STDs."<ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/02/welfare-book-06.html WORKING TOWARD INDEPENDENCE] Encourage Abstinence and Prevent Teen Pregnancy, White House News and Policies, February 2002</ref>

:..."the goal of Federal policy should be to emphasize abstinence as the only certain way to avoid both unintended pregnancies and STDs."<ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/02/welfare-book-06.html WORKING TOWARD INDEPENDENCE] Encourage Abstinence and Prevent Teen Pregnancy, White House News and Policies, February 2002</ref>

Studies of the effectiveness of abstinence programs have yielded differing conclusions. A 2004 study by the Heritage Foundation (a self-described "conservative think-tank")<ref>[http://www.heritage.org/about/ The Heritage Foundation: Our Mission] "Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute - a think tank - whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense."</ref>  found that virginity pledges significantly reduce premarital sex without putting backsliders at risk.<ref> Teens Who Make Virginity Pledges Have Substantially Improved Life Outcomes

Studies of the effectiveness of abstinence programs have yielded differing conclusions. A 2004 study by the Heritage Foundation (a self-described "conservative think-tank")<ref>[http://www.heritage.org/about/ The Heritage Foundation: Our Mission] "Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute - a think tank - whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense."</ref>  found that virginity pledges significantly reduce premarital sex without putting backsliders at risk.<ref> Teens Who Make Virginity Pledges Have Substantially Improved Life Outcomes

Center for Data Analysis Report #04-07 [http://www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/cda04-07.cfm] </ref> A 2007 study by Mathematica Policy Research (a self-described "nonpartisan research firm") found that "the programs had no effect on the sexual abstinence of youth." But, like Heritage, it found that "youth in these programs were no more likely to have unprotected sex."<ref>[http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/abstinencereport.asp Impacts of Four Abstinence Education Programs]</ref><ref>

Center for Data Analysis Report #04-07 [http://www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/cda04-07.cfm] </ref> A 2007 study by Mathematica Policy Research (a self-described "nonpartisan research firm") found that "the programs had no effect on the sexual abstinence of youth." But, like Heritage, it found that "youth in these programs were no more likely to have unprotected sex."<ref>[http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/abstinencereport.asp Impacts of Four Abstinence Education Programs]</ref><ref>

$1bn 'don't have sex' campaign a flop as research shows teenagers ignore lessons, The Guardian [http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2058066,00.html]</ref>

$1bn 'don't have sex' campaign a flop as research shows teenagers ignore lessons, The Guardian [http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2058066,00.html]</ref>

The resignation of [[Randall Tobias]], appointed by [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W Bush]] to promote abstinence education and responsible for enforcing a U.S. global [[AIDS]] policy requiring recipients to swear they oppose prostitution and sex trafficking, after it was discovered he had been a customer of an escort service in Washington, D.C. whose owner has been charged by federal prosecutors with running a [[prostitution]] operation, shows how challenging abstinence can be. <ref> http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/04/senior_official.html</ref>

The resignation of [[Randall Tobias]], appointed by [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W Bush]] to promote abstinence education and responsible for enforcing a U.S. global [[AIDS]] policy requiring recipients to swear they oppose prostitution and sex trafficking, after it was discovered he had been a customer of an escort service in Washington, D.C. whose owner has been charged by federal prosecutors with running a [[prostitution]] operation, shows how challenging abstinence can be. <ref> http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/04/senior_official.html</ref>