According to a study in the January, 2009 issue of the journal, Pediatrics, there is no difference between virginity pledgers and matched non pledgers in age of first sex, number of sex partners, etc. the only significant difference was that pledgers were less likely to use birth control.
Here is part of the abstract of the article:
Five years after the pledge, 82% of pledgers denied having ever pledged. Pledgers and matched nonpledgers did not differ in premarital sex, sexually transmitted diseases, and anal and oral sex variables. Pledgers had 0.1 fewer past-year partners but did not differ in lifetime sexual partners and age of first sex. Fewer pledgers than matched nonpledgers used birth control and condoms in the past year and birth control at last sex.
CONCLUSIONS. The sexual behavior of virginity pledgers does not differ from that of closely matched nonpledgers, and pledgers are less likely to protect themselves from pregnancy and disease before marriage. Virginity pledges may not affect sexual behavior but may decrease the likelihood of taking precautions during sex. Clinicians should provide birth control information to all adolescents, especially virginity pledgers.
You can access the whole article by clicking here.
The Bush administration's religously based policy regarding teen abstinence and virginity pledging is bad public health policy and leaves out teens at risk. Comprehensive sex education is the way to help our youth take responsibility for their fertility.
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