Abstinence Education

This book explores teenage sexual activity and non-marital childbearing which have serious consequences for teens, their families, their communities and our society. The two greatest risk factors for teen pregnancy and transmission of STDs are the age at first onset, and the number of partners. By definition, abstinence education programs aim to do just that. Abstinence is the only 100 percent effective method to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Through education, mentoring, counselling and peer support, abstinence education services help teens delay the onset of sexual activity and reduce the number of sexual partners they have. The State Abstinence Education Program and the Community-Based Abstinence Education (CBAE) Program of the Administration for Children and Families, together with the Adolescent and Family Life Program from the Office of Population Affairs, provide useful tools to help parents, schools, communities and States guide our Nation's youth away from these devastating outcomes.