Youths support abstinence as sex education
By Jennifer Harper
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
January 22, 2006

Critics of abstinence-only sex-education programs may be too hasty in judgment. There is support for the method among age groups that count -- the young.

According to a new Harris Poll, 56 percent of people ages 18 to 24, and 60 percent of those 25 to 29 think abstinence programs effectively reduce or prevent the occurrence of HIV/AIDS. Another 49 percent of people ages 18 to 24 and 52 percent of those ages 25 to 29 say the programs reduce or prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Among six age groups and three political groups, younger respondents showed the strongest support for abstinence over safe-sex programs. the rest