Changes

:..."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 education]] 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

by Robert E. Rector, Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D., and Jennifer A. Marshall

by Robert E. Rector, Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D., and Jennifer A. Marshall

Center for Data Analysis Report #04-07 [http://www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/cda04-07.cfm] </ref> A study funded by the Administration of [[liberal]] President [[Bill Clinton]] through Mathematica Policy Research found that "the programs had no effect on the sexual abstinence of youth."<ref>[http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/abstinencereport.asp Impacts of Four Abstinence Education Programs]</ref>  But this study reached this [[liberal]] conclusion by omitting abstinence education during the pivotal high schools.<ref>http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WU07D09</ref>

Center for Data Analysis Report #04-07 [http://www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/cda04-07.cfm] </ref> A study funded by the Administration of [[liberal]] President [[Bill Clinton]] through Mathematica Policy Research found that "the programs had no effect on the sexual abstinence of youth."<ref>[http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/abstinencereport.asp Impacts of Four Abstinence Education Programs]</ref>  But this study reached this [[liberal]] conclusion by omitting abstinence education during the pivotal high schools.<ref>http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WU07D09</ref>