It didn't take long for the virtual ink to dry for contraception zealots to claim that a study linking sex education and increased abstinence proves that sexuality education leads to more responsible behavior.
"This study expands on studies that have shown that sexuality education can delay the onset of sexual intercourse -- once again dispelling the myth that early sexuality education might increase sexual activity," explains Eli Coleman, director of the program in human sexuality at the University of Minnesota Medical School. "This study shows that sexuality education leads to more responsible sexual behavior."
Except that the study does not expand on other studies - in fact, it didn't even analyze any differences between abstinence only programs or comprehensive sexuality education programs.
Once again, contraception advocates are misrepresenting the results of a new study to further their agenda. This isn't a rare occurrence - for example, contraception advocates were quick to blame abstinence only programs for the recent increase in teen pregnancy as reported by the CDC.
Yet, at least to my knowledge, there has not been a single peer reviewed scientific analysis which explains the increase.
To top it off, the actual data from the CDC doesn't appear to be thorough enough to make any such analysis. Figures for the percentages of sexually active teens, sexually inexperienced teens, as well as recent contraceptive use are not provided - figures used to calculate why rates go up or down.
Based upon this limited data, it's not likely at this point to in time that a scientific analysis can be made. But for those pushing condoms and pills as a solution to teen pregnancy, it seems that this really doesn't matter...
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