Does Abstinence Only Curriculum Make a Difference?

Does Abstinence Only Curriculum Make a Difference?

David A Zanis, an Associate Professor of Social Work at Temple University in Harrisburg, PA published a study of the “Use of Sexual Abstinence Only Curriculum with Sexually Active Youths” in 2005. The study was of a group of 31 ‘high risk’ students ranging in age from 12 to 16 who voluntarily participated in the program. The results showed that the Sexual Abstinence Only curriculum was unsuccessful in reducing sexual activity among this particular group of young people.

The study (1) featured in Zanis’s paper was very limiting, the 31 students featured were all classified as ‘high risk’ and were referred to an alternative school-based education program that offered behavioral health counseling and implemented the Sexually Abstinence Only (SAO) curriculum. 23% of the students were female, and 95% were white and all the students reported a variety of psychosocial risk factors. The curriculum consisted of 45 minute sessions focusing on victimization theory, examination of power in relationships, and examination of control of students’ feelings. The main message was that a sexual abstinence should be viewed as the best option, no matter what the previous sexual behavior was.

The results of the study were collected by use of an anonymous survey and five focus groups. A pretest was given, and a posttest was given one month after completion of the curriculum. Only 27 students completed the posttest out of the original 31. The pre and posttest outcomes were divided into four categories; attitudes about sex, resources for sexuality decision making, substance use risk behaviors, and sexual behaviors. There were no noted improvements in substance use or resources for sexuality decision making after the SAO curriculum, however small gains for opportunities to discuss sexuality issues were noted. The example given was that more students said it was not ‘ok’ to have sex with people three or more years older.

The...