Does Teaching Abstinence Actually Make a Difference?

From the Desk of . . .

Libby Olson, Educator, SRAS

When first learning about the Sexual Risk Avoidance approach to sex education, many people might believe that it is helpful in theory, but not actually successful. Some may even scoff, saying “teens will do as they please, regardless of what you teach them”. While that is partly true, it begs the question: why teach them anything at all, if they will never heed the consequences? Furthermore, many teens have the misconception that “everyone else is doing it, so why shouldn’t I?” The reality is many teens fail to understand that not all teens are sexually active and that the risks associated with sexual activity can and will impede them from reaching their goals.

Understanding these risks could lead more teens to approach sexual activity with caution, and the research shows that this is exactly what is happening! The Sexual Risk Avoidance approach (SRA) is a holistic approach that gives teens the information and skills to help them avoid the risks and consequences of sex. SRA teaches abstinence which focuses on eliminating ALL risks in order to maintain optimal health and reach their goals. Research done by Ascend (2023) shows that this approach DOES WORK. Students who have been taught from the SRA approach experience a reduced rate of teen pregnancy and STDs, a decrease initiation of sexual activity, heightened self-esteem and self-efficacy, and improved ability to resist sexual pressure and assault.

Moreover, the SRA approach not only decreases consequences but also contributes to a decline in overall teen sexual activity. By 2015, 60% of high school students were abstaining from sex, this is a dramatic increase from the 46% reported in 1991. This is a 28% increase of students not having sex (ASCEND, 2023)! Teens have a right to know that not “everyone” is having sex, and that abstinence is the only 100% effective way to avoid all the risk of sexual activity. When given this knowledge, most teens choose abstinence. The numbers cannot lie – the effectiveness of Sexual Risk Avoidance approach is successful!

References

ASCEND. (2023, May 16). Sexual risk avoidance works | ascend. WEASCEND. https://weascend.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SRA-Works.pdf