Abstinence Secures a Positive Future

Re “Abstinence-Only: Breeding Ignorance,” Commentary, Dec. 7: What abstinence education programs promote is the truth: the fact that abstinence is the only 100% effective method for preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. At a time when more than 10,000 teens every day are contracting a sexually transmitted disease, shouldn’t we be helping our teens avoid STDs altogether?

Take, for example, the most common sexually transmitted disease in America -- human papilloma virus. HPV is linked to most instances of cervical cancer, which takes the lives of more than 4,000 women each year. But, according to a report to Congress by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is little evidence that condoms protect against HPV.

Moreover, there are at least 10 published studies attesting to the success of abstinence education in helping teens delay sexual activity and avoid STDs and pregnancy.

The goal of abstinence education is not, as Mary-Jane Wagle believes, to create shame about human sexuality, but to help youths secure a healthy and positive future.

Wade F. Horn PhD

Assistant Secretary

Administration for Children

and Families, U.S. Department

of Health and Human Services

Washington