Is an abstinence approach effective?
IYD believes that abstinence is indeed an effective approach to addressing adolescent sexuality. This message is being embraced by teens throughout the nation as evidenced by the 2001 Centers for Disease Control Youth Surveillance Survey. This survey indicated that 54% of teens have not had sex as compared to 45% in 1990. So, the survey indicates that teens are choosing to abstain from sexual activity. (1) This year, the CDC reported that birth rates for unmarried teenagers continued to decline. (2) Teens that choose abstinence are totally protected from the consequences that can dramatically alter their lives and their futures.
