UK Watchdog Blasts Abstinence Only Programs

By Cernig

The UK governments's education watchdog, Ofsted, has issued a report blasting abstinence-only programs in schools, saying that results show that such programs are more, not less, likely to lead to teenage pregnancies and sexually-transmitted diseases than programs which include contraceptive advice.

"Research suggests that education that promotes abstinence but withholds information about contraception can place young people at higher risk."

The report, stemming from a survey of personal, social and health education lessons in 350 schools, praises nurses who hand out "emergency hormonal contraception" - the morning-after pill - and other contraceptives for the part they play in combating unwanted pregnancies among girls aged 11 to 16. There is also no evidence to support claims that teaching about contraception leads to increased sexual activity," it adds.

The findings angered morality campaigners. Norman Wells, of Family and Youth Concern, said: "In putting this faith in sex education and contraception to deal with high teenage pregnancy rates, and a rise in sexual health problems among young people, Ofsted is plainly following the dogma at the heart of the Government's tackling pregnancy strategy.

"True sexual responsibility is a matter of saving sex for marriage and keeping it there once married."

But pregnancy advisory staff welcomed the report. They are worried that the growth in the number of faith schools and privately sponsored academies back-ed by faith groups will lead to more schools adopting the abstinence approach.

The report praises Camden Council in north London, where a clear message is given about teenagers' rights and responsibilities as well as advice about contraception. As a result, teenage pregnancy rates have fallen.

The report echoes others from the US and worldwide, where similiar results have been found. Yet even so, people like Norman Wells and his counterparts in the US, who all have loud mouths which guarantee them media exposure well beyond their actual importance and influence, would rather rely on faith instead of fact.

At what point do we tell these braying asses to stop harming our children by pushing their wrongheaded version of "The Truth"?