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Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 61, Issue 3
September 2017 Pages 273 - 280

Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage: An Updated Review of U.S. Policies and Programs and Their Impact

John S. Santelli,Guttmacher Institute
Leslie Kantor,Rutgers University
Stephanie A. Grilo,Columbia University
Ilene S. Speizer,University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Laura D. Lindberg,Guttmacher Institute
Jennifer Heitel,Columbia University
Amy Schalet,University of Massachusetts Amherst
Maureen Lyon,George Washington University
Amanda J. Mason-Jones,University of York
Terry McGovern,Columbia University
Craig J. Heck,Columbia University
Jennifer Rogers,Altarum Institute
Mary A. Ott,Indiana University
The time is now. Will you stand up for reproductive health and rights?
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First published online: August 22, 2017

Adolescence is marked by the emergence of human sexuality, sexual identity and the initiation of intimate relations; within this context, abstinence from sexual intercourse can be a healthy choice. However, programs that promote abstinence-only-until-marriage (AOUM) or sexual risk avoidance (SRA), are scientifically and ethically problematic and—as such—have been widely rejected by medical and public health professionals. Although abstinence is theoretically effective, in actual practice, intentions to abstain from sexual activity often fail. Given a rising age at first marriage around the world, a rapidly declining percentage of young people remain abstinent until marriage. Promotion of AOUM policies by the United States (U.S.) government has undermined sexuality education in the U.S. and in U.S. foreign aid programs; funding for AOUM continues in the U.S. The weight of scientific evidence finds that AOUM programs are not effective in delaying initiation of sexual intercourse or changing other sexual risk behaviors. AOUM programs, as defined by U.S. federal funding requirements, inherently withhold information about human sexuality and may provide medically inaccurate and stigmatizing information. Thus, AOUM programs threaten fundamental human rights to health, information, and life. Young people need access to accurate and comprehensive sexual health information to protect their health and lives.  

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United States

  • Teens

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  • Northern America: United States
    • Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

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adolescents
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