"Aborting Abstinence"

by Robert Rector, National Review Online

Rector offers a critique of the anti-abstinence plan set forth by Senator Max Baucus in light of public support for abstinence education. Rector suggests that certain special interest groups have an influence over lawmakers in deciding on these issues, causing them to make decisions that are not in line with public opinion.

"Sex Education"

by Walter H. Schneider

Schneider discusses the importance of abstinence-based sex education and suggests that there is an ideology behind "comprehensive" sexual education. He adds that advocacy of condoms sends a message to children about the permissibility of sex.

"Abstinence: In the No"

by Rebecca Hagelin, Townhall.com

This article suggests that abstinence-only sexual education has helped teens, and is preferable to the comprehensive sex education that treats teenagers as sub-rational.

"Real Solutions and Teen Sex"

by Rebecca Hagelin, Townhall.com

Hagelin suggests that rejection of abstinence-only education is not empowering teenagers, and that comprehensive sex-ed programs are detrimental to youth. Most articles on this topic overlap, so this one is similar to Hagelin's other townhall.com article.

"The War on Abstinence Education"

by Ryan T. Anderson, First Things

Anderson begins with an anecdote on the resistance that abstinence education programs are meeting with throughout the US, particularly in California. He provides sociological data suggesting that abstinence education is working, or that at the very least, the claim that legislators make (that abstinence only education is ineffective) is not discernable from the information.

"You Won't Read It In the Papers"

by Mona Charen, Townhall.com

Charen describes the media frenzy over a study released claiming that the rate of pre-marital sex among those taking abstinence pledges is not significantly lower than among those who have not taken pledges. A recent study making the opposite claim garnered almost no attention. Charen also points out that there is a significant difference between signing an abstinence pledge and participating in an abstinence education program, the effectiveness of which is much greater than a simple pledge.

"Facts About Abstinence Education"

by Robert Rector

In preparation for an (at the time, in 2004) upcoming bill diverting funds from abstinence education programs to "safe sex" programs, Rector presents a list of 14 facts about abstinence education programs, focusing on the benefits of abstinence and the effectiveness of and need for abstinence education programs. Each fact is supported by a study or article further elaborating on his point.

"Comprehensive Sex Education vs. Authentic Abstinence: A Study of Competing Curricula"

by Shannan Martin, Robert Rector, and Melissa G. Pardue

This study assesses the merits of "abstinence plus" sexual education, which is meant to serve as a middle ground between the "safe sex" approach to sexual education programs, which focuses on contraception, and an all abstinence approach, which teaches teens to delay sexual activity. The study found that the traditional abstinence approach was more effective.

"Executive Summary: Government Spends $12 on Safe Sex and Contraceptives for Every $1 Spent on Abstinence"

by Melissa Pardue, Robert E. Rector, and Shannan Martin

Studies have shown that there is a huge discrepancy between the amount of money the government spends on safe sex or abstinence plus sex education programs, which place little or no emphasis on abstinence, and abstinence programs. This is radically opposed to the preferences of American parents, 85% of whom said that the emphasis placed on abstinence should be equal to or greater than that placed on contraception. Despite the risks of early sexual activity, safe sex programs send teens the message that society expects, if not condones, early sexual activity.

"The Harmful Effects of Early Sexual Activity and Multiple Sexual Partners Among Women: A Book of Charts"

by Robert E. Rector, Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D., Lauren R. Noyes, Shannan Martin

This study found that the earlier a woman first engages in sexual activity the more sexual partners she will have. The study then examines the link between early sexual activity and multiple sexual partners and human well-being.

"Sexually Active Teenagers Are More Likely to be Depressed and to Attempt Suicide"

by Robert E. Rector, Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D., and Lauren R. Noyes

This study found that teenagers who are sexually active are significantly more likely to be depressed or to attempt suicide than those who are not, even when controlled for race, gender, age and family income. Two thirds of those who were sexually active wished they had waited longer before becoming sexually active.