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Teen sex-ed programs backed

By Cheryl Wetzstein
November 7, 2007

At least 15 programs have been found to influence teen sexual behavior and should be widely disseminated, according to a report issued today by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

The 15 programs — identified after a review of 115 program evaluations — had "strong evidence of success" in persuading teens to avoid pregnancy and disease, said the report, "Emerging Answers 2007: Research Findings on Programs to Reduce the Problems of Teen Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Disease."

Douglas Kirby of ETR Associates wrote the report, which updates his two previous and widely read reports for the campaign, "No Easy Answers" and "Emerging Answers."

Mr. Kirby's company has a financial interest in several — at least five — of the 15 programs, which is noted in the report.

The report was reviewed by a task force of 13 respected researchers with diverse opinions about sex education, including Daniel T. Lichter of Cornell University, Rebecca A. Maynard and Kathryn Edin of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. John Santelli of Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and Stan Weed of the Institute for Research and Evaluation.

The report said it found "no strong evidence" that abstinence programs actually persuade teens to stay abstinent, return to abstinence after losing their virginity or reduce the number of sexual partners once they become sexually active.

In fairness, the report noted, fewer than 10 rigorous studies have been conducted on abstinence programs and two studies showed that the programs had "modestly encouraging results."

However, to date, "studies of abstinence programs have not produced sufficient evidence to justify their widespread dissemination," the report concluded, urging communities to "seriously consider" the 15 programs it highlighted.

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