Texas: Abstinence Movement Picks Up Momentum

Plano-based Aim for Success is the largest abstinence-only program in the United States. Founded in 1993 by Marilyn Morris, the nonprofit encourages teens to practice self-control and self-respect. In 1993, Aim for Success gave 526 presentations to churches and schools; speakers today put on 2,500 programs a year across the country. Morris, who had to abandon her dream of becoming tennis star after getting pregnant during her senior year of high school, brings a direct message to teens: "Wait until marriage."

But critics of abstinence-only programs like Aim for Success challenge the wisdom of withholding information about condoms and other forms of birth control from hormone-driven youths. A recently released joint study from Columbia and Yale universities indicated that abstinence pledges do not work -- 88 percent of those who had taken virginity pledges had sexual intercourse before marriage. And pledgers who contracted STDs were less likely to know they had a disease. However, the study also showed that teens who took pledges delayed the start of intercourse by 18 months, had fewer sex partners, and married earlier.

The more disturbing news from the findings was that teens who took pledges were unprepared to start sexual activity, said Dr. Drew Pinsky, an adolescent health expert and co-host of the syndicated radio advice program "Loveline." "They were irresponsible, as though they were so steeped in shame they really didn't want to come to terms with the reality of their behavior," said Pinsky.

"The kids in that study who took the virginity pledges were not part of any abstinence education program," pointed out Morris. Her group educates kids 12 and older through live presentations and entertaining professional speakers but does not offer pledges. Aim for Success does discuss condoms. "We're not doing demonstrations on how to use them, but we are offering facts," said Morris. "We tell students that the only guaranteed protection is abstinence."

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