May 3, 2007 - A newly released poll by Zogby International of 1,000 households shows that when parents become aware of the differences between abstinence education and comprehensive sex education they support abstinence by a two to one margin.
Moreover, nearly 9 out of 10 parents support the fact that abstinence education teaches teens how to prepare for a healthy, future marriage. More than 8 in 10 parents were likely to support abstinence programs knowing that they teach teens to increase their self-worth as a means of resisting pressure toward sexual activity. Besides avoiding pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and emotional heartache, abstinence education teaches skills and disciplines which will help teens make healthy choices and prepare for a healthy, future marriage.
“Today’s teens are being inundated with sexual messages from the media and society to give in to sexual pressure,” explained Scott Phelps, author of the Aspire abstinence program and Executive Director of the Abstinence & Marriage Education Partnership. “Abstinence until marriage is the safest, healthiest choice for teens, and we have an obligation to clearly communicate this message,” Phelps continued. “We must help today’s youth look toward the future and understand that achieving their future goals has a lot to do with the choices they are making today.” This new survey shows that a large majority of parents agree.
The Abstinence & Marriage Education Partnership exists to ensure that every teenager in the country has the opportunity to hear a clearly reasoned, positive presentation on the benefits of abstinence until marriage and instruction on preparing for a healthy, future marriage. A&M Partnership provides training and resources for schools and organizations throughout the country. For more information visit www.ampartnership.org