Washington D.C., Apr 24, 2008 / 18:19 pm
Representative Bill Sali (R-Idaho) on Wednesday spoke during a U.S. House hearing on abstinence-only government programs, saying such programs were effective at promoting healthy relationships and contributing to a decline in teen pregnancy in ways that did not offend the moral and religious convictions of many communities.
In a statement to the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, the congressman said abstinence education stresses the social, psychological and health benefits of abstinence while teaching that abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage is “the expected standard for all school age children.” He cited a Heritage Foundation study released April 22 that analyzed 21 studies of abstinence programs. The study reported that 16 of the studies claimed positive findings about such programs’ effectiveness.
“Unfortunately, most Americans don't even know what teens are being taught in sex education classes, abstinence-based or otherwise,” Rep. Sali said.
Rep. Sali said that effective abstinence education teaches teens far more than to say “just say no” to sex. He said they also promote risk-avoidance to young people.