Study will create more questions on abstinence funding...

It has been stated frequently that abstinence only programs do not prevent teens from having sex and the results of various studies have been debated and discussed with each side finding one that "fits" their argument. The most recent study released according to this AP news article on abstinence programs suggests they do not work:

For its study, Mathematica looked at students in four abstinence programs around the country as well as students from the same communities who did not participate in the abstinence programs. The 2,057 youths came from big cities - Miami and Milwaukee - as well as rural communities - Powhatan, Va., and Clarksdale, Miss.

The students who participated in abstinence education did so for one to three years. Their average age was 11 to 12 when they entered the programs back in 1999.

Mathematica then did a follow up survey in late 2005 and early 2006. By that time, the average age for participants was about 16.5. Mathematica found that about half of the abstinence students and about half from the control group reported that they remained abstinent.

As the article states, the study does indicate that the claims made by some that abstinence only programs actually increase numbers of teens who have sex would also be disproven if this study is accepted, the same as it would demonstrate that abstinence only programs do not stop teens from having sex. What the affect this will have on congress's funding decisions remains to be seen.