Wow, it is so refreshing and LONG OVERDUE, to see a strong, clear statement on behalf of PRIMARY prevention from a medical organization.
EVERY Congressional Representative in America needs to read this statement! (forwarded to us by abstinence.net) Following are selections and the link for the full statement!
Best,
Richard
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The American College of Pediatricians strongly endorses abstinence-until-marriage sex education and recommends adoption by all school systems in lieu of "comprehensive sex education". This position is based on "the public health principle of primary prevention" risk avoidance in lieu of risk reduction," upholding the "human right to the highest attainable standard of health."1
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Almost 40 years of emphasis on "safer sex" with "values-neutral sex education," condoms and contraception has clearly failed our young people. Abstinence education does not occur in a vacuum, making it especially difficult to separate its influence from the opposing influence of the media and cultural milieu. Nevertheless, effectiveness of abstinence sex education in delaying the onset of sexual debut has been demonstrated in rigorous scientific studies.
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In its endorsement of abstinence-based sex education, the College calls attention to the scientific controversies surrounding alternative educational platforms. Most sex education curricula fall into two categories, abstinence-until-marriage or comprehensive sex education programs (occasionally also referred to as "abstinence plus" programs). Recently, abstinence education has been criticized for not providing critical health information about condom use. Abstinence education curricula, however, do not discourage the use of condoms; rather they note that chastity obviates the need for condoms. Abstinence education programs do not claim that condoms have no place in preventing STIs.
Comprehensive programs, on the other hand, are misleading in the emphasis they place on condom use. These programs give teens the impression that condoms make sexual activity safe. In reality, there has been much conflicting medical literature on the effectiveness of condoms in preventing STIs since the 2000 NIH report on the subject and much of the controversy remains unresolved.19 Teens must be informed that condoms do not offer complete protection from either pregnancy or STIs.
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The American College of Pediatricians also believes parents should be aware of the current state of funding, and government involvement in sex education choices. Comprehensive programs receive seven to twelve times the funding of abstinence programs.27 However, according to a recent study by the Department of Health and Human Services, comprehensive programs do not give equal time to abstinence.
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According to a 2004 Zogby Poll, 90% of adults and teens agree with The American College of Pediatricians position that teens should be given a strong abstinence message.32 Programs that teach sexual abstinence until marriage are about much more than simply delaying sexual activity. They assist adolescents in establishing positive character traits, formulating long-term goals, and developing emotionally healthy relationships. These programs increase the likelihood of strong marriages and families - the single most essential resource for the strength and survival of our nation.
The full article appears at (http://www.americancollegeofpediatricians.org/Abstinence-Education.html)
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Richard Panzer, Ph.D.
Moderator and Director
Institute for Relationship Intelligence
(To send a private or personal message directly to Free Teens, not for posting, email info@freeteensusa.org. *******
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