Avoidance of sex in teenagers for better health

A new sex education curriculum has been offered in Texas that focuses on the health benefits of not indulging in sexual activity (abstinence). The programme called "Worth the Wait" teaches children from a medical standpoint that there is no such thing as safe sex for a teenager. It documents genuine health reasons why sex should be an adult activity. "Worth the Wait" has been offered by the Scott & White Hospital, Texas. It is being taught to 6th, 7th and 8th class students in 31 Texas school districts and is being expanded into some high schools. Educational kits for health care workers have been sold in 44 states, and school districts outside Texas are also considering the programme. The lessons do not talk about homosexuality, masturbation or abortion and do not teach children about condoms or birth control but simply tell them that once they do become sexually active, it is important they discuss it with a health care person. Among school districts that teach sex education, 51 percent discuss contraception but require that abstinence be taught as the better option. About 35 percent require that abstinence be taught as the only option for unmarried people. The remaining 14 percent teach teenagers that both abstinence and contraception are part of a broad range of options for adolescents. The data shows comprehensive sex education programmes - which most major medical associations talk about - have been more effective than abstinence-only programmes. Since abstinence-only education began, teenage pregnancy rates, birth rates and abortion rates have declined dramatically. Research showed increased abstinence among girls leading to drop in teen pregnancy.