A study released in December 2008 reports that pledging virginity until marriage makes no difference on whether teens engage in premarital sex.
The study found that more than half of all teenagers become sexually active before marriage regardless of whether they pledge virginity until marriage or not. Unfortunately, the study also found that those who took virginity pledges were less likely to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy than teens who never took the pledge in the first place.
Although proponents of abstinence-only education criticize the results, it seems that this study has validated the importance of comprehensive sexuality education in schools today. Comprehensive sex ed includes information on sexually transmitted diseases, birth control options and safer sex practices, which is much more effective in allowing teens to make safer decisions.
With half of all teenagers engaging in sexual activity it seems prudent and responsible to provide them with valuable information about preventing STDs and pregnancy. If anything, all teenagers should have the right to access accurate healthcare information in order to make responsible decisions about their sexual health.
Source: The News Journal - Dec 29, 2008
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