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October 2, 2006 Bob Geldof Hails US Abstinence Initiative To Combat AIDS Minidoka Abstinence Program Shows Success Norval Glenn: In Defense of Marriage New Study Shows Abstinence Ed Can Work Comedian Uses Straight Talk, Humor in Sexual Abstinence Message to Teens This Teen Believes in Abstinence and Would Like To Start a Sex Education Program at Her School www.nsb4m.com – Abstinence Dating Web Site? New Study Says, Marriage Is Better Than Cohabitation When Raising Children Postponing Sex Till Marriage is About True Freedom Center for Fathering Joins Forces With Watch DOGS Crisp School Teaches Abstinence As I See It: Abstinence Prevents Pregnancy, Instills Responsibility Teens Often Skip Condom Use Program Focuses on Abstinence Honoring Abstinence You Must Tell Your Kids About S-E-X Purpose-Driven AIDS Prevention CDC Reports Other Stats Suggest Abstinence Message Is Catching On No Sex, Please: We’re Teenagers Plan C: What About Girls and Plan B? Community-Based Abstinence Education Programs in Tennessee The Influence of Religiosity and Spirituality on Health-Risk Behaviors in Children and Adolescents Parenting Capacities and Health Outcomes in Youths and Adolescents – National Institutes of Health Marital Status and Longevity in the United States Population (September 2006) – The authors of this article, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (Volume 60:760-765), investigated the relationship between marital status and mortality using data from the National Health Interview Survey. They found that those who are married have a longer survival rate and that having never been married was the strongest predictor of premature mortality. The researchers determined that risky behaviors among those who have never been married did not account for the differences; instead, they say, the connectedness found in marriage is a protective health factor. Non-Teenage Single Mothers Face Financial Hardships (August 2006) – In this Heritage Foundation research finding, the authors report that single mothers age 20 or older at the time of their children’s births were similar to teenage mothers in terms of their income-to-needs ratio and class status. They also found that single non-teenage mothers were more likely than teenage mothers and married mothers to use welfare in the year before and the year after a birth. Overall, the authors conclude, nonmarital childbearing at any age, including among 20- and 30-somethings, creates financial hardships for mothers and their families. Perceptions of Sexual Abstinence Among High-Risk Early and Middle Adolescents (August 2006) – The authors of this article, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health (Volume 39[2]:192-198), examine how younger adolescents define abstinence. They found that most of the youth consider abstinence to be part of the continuum of normal development and that the transition to sex is a rite of passage to adulthood. Study participants differed in their views regarding at what age this transition is appropriate. Depressive Symptoms as a Longitudinal Predictor of Sexual Risk Behaviors Among U.S. Middle and High School Students (July 2006) – The authors of this article, published in Pediatrics (Volume 118[1]:189-200), examined the role of depression in the sexual behaviors of adolescents. They found that both boys and girls who reported high levels of depressive symptoms were significantly more likely to engage in elevated sexual risk behaviors. Key reasons given by teens for engaging in these behaviors were to maintain valuable relationships and emotional intimacy. [NCFY Note: While these findings were based on responses from sexually active teens, abstinence education professionals should consider the role depression may play in placing teens at risk for initiating sexual activity.] Is Abstinence Education Theory Based? The Underlying Logic of Abstinence Education Programs in Texas (July 2006) – The authors of this article, published in Health Education & Behavior (Volume 33[2]:252-271), evaluated the theory underlying 16 abstinence-only-until-marriage programs in Texas. The findings indicated that abstinence education staff could clearly articulate the logic guiding program activity choices. West Coast Abstinence Education Grantees Regional Workshop Manuscript and Poster Abstracts for the Abstinence Education Evaluation Conference (see below) National Abstinence Education Grantees Conference "Strengthening Programs Through Scientific Evaluation" Additional Resources Marriage and the Law: A Statement of Principles (September 2006) – This 44-page publication from the Institute of Marriage and Public Policy is a statement on the way law and society should view marriage. Signed by more than 100 legal and family scholars, the authors affirm the significance of marriage in American society and law. When Sex Goes to School: Warring Views on Sex Since the Sixties (W.W. Norton & Company, 2006) – In this 416-page book, sociologist Kristin Luker examines the issue of how and whether to teach sex education in schools. She traces the discussion back to the 1960s, a decade which left the nation divided on the issue of sex and gender roles. The author presents the two primary sides of the debate: “sexual liberals,” who seek to help youth manage the risks of having sex, and “sexual conservatives,” who argue that such an approach teaches youth to be irresponsible and cheapens the experience of sex within the context of marriage.
Quote for the Day "In a country or a part of the world where one in three people have a sexually transmitted deadly disease, you have to talk about abstinence... I'm always a little bit irritated when I hear the criticism of abstinence, because abstinence is absolutely 100 percent effective in eradicating a sexually transmitted disease." (First Lady Laura Bush, during a January 2006 trip to Africa) |
JEANNE MONAHAN is an abstinence content specialist for the Community-Based Abstinence Education Training, Technical Assistance, and Capacity Building Contract at Pal-Tech, Inc. Jeanne joined the contract, which helps federally funded abstinence education grantees maximize their ability to deliver the abstinence-until-marriage message to the Nation’s youth, this past summer. Jeanne has been writing, educating, and speaking on topics related to sexuality and the benefits of abstinence until marriage for many years. Her experience ranges from educating leaders at the United Nations to working with at-risk youth at a crisis shelter in Arizona. Before joining Pal-Tech, Inc., Jeanne worked at the United States Agency for International Development as an abstinence advisor for HIV/AIDS prevention. Previously, she worked as a high school teacher, a youth and campus minister, and associate director of a family center. Jeanne received her undergraduate degree in psychology from James Madison University and her master’s degree in theology of marriage and family from the Pope John Paul II Institute in Washington, DC. She resides in Alexandria, Virginia, and enjoys hiking and running.The Abstinence Education E-Update comprises links to Web sites with information on current events, research, funding opportunities, and other items related to abstinence-until-marriage education. Inclusion of this information does not imply endorsement by the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), or the National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth (NCFY). Moreover, the points of view or opinions expressed on these Web sites do not necessarily represent the official position, policies, or views of FYSB, HHS, or NCFY.
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