Daniel Herbster reporting
Abstinence education is often ridiculed as puritanical or ineffective.
However, objective data shows just the opposite. Furthermore, parents
are often the most ardent supporters of abstinence education because they know
that casual sexual activity leads to emotional and physical scars and they want
what’s best for their children. One organization seeking to advocate on
behalf of abstinence education is the National Abstinence
Education Association. I had the opportunity to interview Valerie
Huber, who is the Executive Director of NAEA, about abstinence education and
the NAEA’s Parents for Truth campaign.
The following is my interview with Valerie.
DH: Why is it so
important to support abstinence education?
VH: On a number of levels, abstinence
education makes a lot of sense. First, from a health perspective, our
public health messaging usually puts emphasis on achieving the best health
outcome. Whether we are talking about underage drinking, smoking or
childhood obesity, the message focuses on avoiding those behaviors that put
young people’s health at risk. In the area of sexual activity, our message for
youth should mirror this same model, but unfortunately, the cultural message
relegates the sexual health of youth to something much less than this ideal.
We should not be content with merely reducing the risk to youth, but
should insist on a strategy focused on eliminating all risk. Abstinence
education fits within this risk avoidance paradigm.
On a practical level, the level of sexual activity among youth is trending
downward and most teens who have experimented sexually, wish they had waited.
This tells us that abstinence is a message that resonates with youth. They
understand the benefits of waiting to engage in sex. Abstinence education
provides the skills they need to succeed in that resolve.
Further, social science research abounds to show that abstinence until marriage
is better for society, the involved couple and the child conceived from a
sexual union.
DH: What are some
common misconceptions people have regarding abstinence education?
VH: Anti-abstinence special interest
groups have defined abstinence education by using gross misrepresentations.
They imply that abstinence education doesn’t work, that it is unrealistic, and
that it is a “just say no” approach, none of which are true. Growing research
demonstrates that the approach is very effective in helping youth delay sexual
debut or discontinue sexual activity. More and more teens are choosing to
abstain, which shows that it isn’t teens who think the approach is unrealistic!
Finally, abstinence education is a holistic strategy that is replete with
skills building techniques in good decision-making, identifying healthy
relationships, goal setting, refusal competencies, and self efficacy.
Additionally, abstinence education may provide information about contraception,
but the information is complete and accurate – demonstrating that abstinence is
the only way to avoid all risks associated with sexual experimentation.
DH:
Is it true that parents are often strong supporters of abstinence
education? Why do you think this would this be the case?
VH: Yes! We commissioned Zogby to survey parents across America
on what type of sex education they wanted their children to receive. When
parents really understood the differences between the two approaches, they
favored abstinence education (as currently funded by Congress) by a
margin of 2:1! And these are parent from all demographic groups, all
ethnicities, and all points on the ideological spectrum. No one cares more
deeply about the well being of children than parents, so it comes as no
surprise that they strongly support abstinence education.
DH:
Abstinence education often gets criticized as being naive or
ineffective. What kind of material is involved in a model abstinence
education course? Is it more than just telling kids “just say no?”
VH: Abstinence education, as funded by Congress, is decidedly
more inclusive than “just say no.” The term, “abstinence only” is
strategically attached to this funding by opponents to create the false
perception that abstinence education is a narrow and unrealistic approach.
Abstinence education is overwhelmingly more comprehensive and holistic than
other approaches and focuses on the real-life struggles that teens face as they
navigate through the difficult adolescent years.
Abstinence education realizes that “having sex” can potentially affect a lot
more than the sex organs of teens, but as research shows, can also have
emotional, psychological, social, economic and educational consequences. That’s
why topics frequently discussed in an abstinence education class include how to
identify a healthy relationship, how to avoid or get out of a dangerous,
unhealthy, or abusive relationship, developing skills to make good decisions,
setting goals for the future and taking realistic steps to reach them,
understanding and avoiding STDs, information about contraceptives and their
effectiveness against pregnancy and STDs, practical ways to avoid inappropriate
sexual advances and why abstinence until marriage is optimal. So, within an
abstinence education program, teens receive all the information they need in
order to make healthy choices. That’s a lot of information and skills packed
into an abstinence curriculum! And all of these topics are taught within the
context of why abstinence is the best choice. There’s nothing “only” about the
abstinence approach!
DH:
I recently read a powerful
article in the Washington Post by a Ugandan minister. Are you
familiar with the progress Uganda has seen in fighting the spread of AIDS
through abstinence and faithfulness training? Do you think the United
States could learn something from Uganda?
VH: Certainly! While the cultures of the two countries are vastly
different, we learn an important lesson from Uganda- behavior change is
possible and when there is a saturation of the best health message promoting
premarital abstinence, an improvement in the social norms, as well as a
decrease in risk-taking activities, result.
DH:
How does the NAEA defend and support effective abstinence
education?
VH: As a professional association, NAEA defends the field of
abstinence education. We also are tasked with correcting misinformation regarding
the approach – whether in the media or on Capitol Hill. In order for us
to succeed, however, we need sympathetic citizens to join with us! We
just can’t do it alone, but together we are stronger and more effective than
the sum of our individual efforts.
DH: Why are
some people so violently opposed to abstinence education?
VH: It’s counter intuitive, isn’t
it? Those who oppose abstinence education hold an underlying difference
in what is considered appropriate or healthy conduct for youth. We side
with the social science and health research that unequivocally demonstrates the
value of premarital abstinence. Our critics believe sexual experimentation is
normal, natural and to be applauded – at any age – as long as the partners are
willing and they use a condom. We find such a position harmful to youth and we
could never support such a position.
DH:
What is the “Parents for
Truth” campaign?
VH: Unfortunately, too many parents are being misled about the
type of sex education being implemented in their child’s school. That’s why we
recently launched the Parents For Truth campaign. This campaign is designed to
inform Americans of the real differences between abstinence education and
so-called comprehensive sex education. It is also designed to unite parents to
make a real difference in the type of education their children our receiving.
We know that if 100,000 parents join with us in the Parents for Truth Campaign,
(ParentsForTruth.org) we can better assure that abstinence education
continues in schools across America, but it will take parents taking the time
to join the campaign. I invite your readers to visit the site and begin
by viewing a 3 minute video clip that exposes one of the most-recommended sex
education curricula being implemented in communities across America. It will
shock – and hopefully mobilize parents to action (www.ParentsForTruth.org/video).
Anti-abstinence groups are working tirelessly to implement provocative and
dangerous sex education across America, but they are no match for parents,
united on behalf of their children – if they indeed unite!
DH: How could our readers
find out more about the benefits of abstinence education, and how could they
help the cause of abstinence education in their schools and communities? How can people support your organization?
VH: What a great question! As mentioned earlier, we encourage
parents and concerned citizens to join with us in our efforts to support the
health of youth through abstinence education. Opponents receive millions
of dollars from liberal foundations, and as a result, have been pretty
successful in pushing their dangerous agenda. If each of your readers
would join Parents for Truth and personally encourage their family and friends
to do the same, we could change the cultural climate regarding sex education in
America, but we can’t do it without their help!
Readers also need to understand the nature of the debate in order to better
support this initiative, so we invite them to not only visit the campaign
website (www.ParentsForTruth.org),
but also our organizational website (www.AbstinenceAssociation.org)
where we have a large amount of information on the issue.
DH:
About what legislation are you particularly concerned?
VH: We track all legislation that deals with health or sex
education or anything deemed as “reproductive health” issues.
DH: Valerie, thanks for
your time.
Note:
The views of any interviewee do not necessarily reflect the views of
AdvanceUSA.