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Congress Reports Abstinence Best The report defines SRA as “an abstinence-centered approach to sex education” that is “designed to emphasize risk avoidance, rather than risk reduction,” and is based on “effective programs designed to encourage teens to avoid underage drinking, illicit drug use, reckless driving and other risky behaviors.” In contrast, the report notes that Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) is “an alternative approach designed to teach all options related to sexual behavior” that is based on the “presumption that sexual behavior after puberty is inevitable,” and is “the most widely available sex education model in the United States due in large part to Federal funding.” According to the report, “CSE has failed to lower rates of teen pregnancy because it assumes that teens and preteens are fully capable of making decisions without adequate guidance.” It argues that in contrast to CSE programs, public health campaigns against teen drinking and smoking have been “relatively successful” because “[t]hey are not value-neutral when it comes to teenage choices, especially those with public health ramifications.” The report notes that, “SRA is modeled on that successful reasoning,” and concludes that “building the Federal effort to prevent teenage pregnancy on the SRA model would lead to greater success than the CSE model has been able to achieve over the past two decades.” The Congressional report makes the following five recommendations related to sex education policy:
The report also points out that 22 peer-reviewed studies have found “statistically significant evidence of post-behavioral impact for students with all levels of sexual experience.” According to the report, these 22 studies “consistently” show three findings. Specifically, the studies show that students in SRA program are: 1) much more likely to delay sexual initiation; 2) much more likely to discontinue or decrease sexual activity; and 3) no less likely to use condoms if they initiate sexual activity. In a statement, Valerie Huber, executive director of the National Abstinence Education Association (NAEA) applauded the congressional report. “The Subcommittee report…effectively sets the record straight by clarifying the two sex education approaches,” Huber said. “Almost 75 percent of 15-17 year olds have never had sex, and our federal sex education policy should reinforce these positive trends.” Related resources: Copyright © 2012. North Carolina Family Policy Council. All rights reserved.
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