Report Highlights Abstinence Benefits

Special Report - June 9, 2008
Waiting to have sex benefits the physical, mental, emotional, financial and relational health of young people, according to a new report from the Institute for Youth Development (IYD). Written by Christopher Doyle, a behavioral research analyst at IYD, the Benefits of Delaying Sexual Debut is a comprehensive review of the latest medical and scientific research on early sexual activity.

According to the report, teens who delay sexual debut (or first-time sexual intercourse) are: less likely to have an unwed pregnancy or birth; have fewer lifetime sexual partners; and are less likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease (STD). For example, the IYD report cites data from the National Survey of Family Growth, which shows that girls who began having sex at age 15 to 16 have a 53.8 percent chance of experiencing an unwed pregnancy, while girls who delay sex until age 21 to 22 have a 21.6 percent chance of experiencing an unwed pregnancy. Another example in the report (from research by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) shows that boys who have sex at age 14 or younger have a 74 percent likelihood of having six or more sexual partners by age 20, compared to a 10 percent chance of having that many sexual partners by age 20 among boys who wait until age 17 or older to have sex.

The IYD report also highlights the mental health benefits of delaying sexual debut, which include a reduced risk of depression and suicide. For example, the reports cites a 2003 study by The Heritage Foundation, which found that sexually active girls were nearly three times more likely to have attempted suicide than girls who were not sexually active (sexually active boys were eight times more likely than non-sexually active boys to have attempted suicide).

In addition to the physical and psychological benefits of postponing sex, the IYD report argues that sexual abstinence may also have significant educational and financial benefits for young people by helping them avoid unwed childbearing, for example. Finally, according to the report, delaying sexual debut helps young people form healthy adult relationships by helping them “avoid premarital sexual bonding with other partners,” and reducing their chances of cohabiting, which increases their chances of a healthy marriage.

“Research shows us when teenagers delay sexual initiation they have better life outcomes. From academic achievement to healthy relationships, the data is clear: Abstinence is the best choice for youth,” said Shephard Smith, president of IYD.

Copyright © 2008. North Carolina Family Policy Council. All rights reserved.