A Blog Called Everything

Below are examples of what young people are taught in some of the most commonly used abstinence-only-until-marriage curricula. Prior to Fiscal Year 2010, the federal government had spent over one billion dollars on abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. All of the examples come from curricula that were used in programs previously supported by federal funds.

 “The only safe sex is in a marriage relationship where a man and a woman are faithful to each other for life.”

Game Plan, Student Workbook p. 38

“Each time a sexually active person gives that most personal part of himself or herself away, that person can lose a sense of personal value and worth. It all comes down to self-respect.”

Choosing the Best PATH, Teacher’s Guide, p. 7

“The positive association between abstinence and higher academic performance is likely to be due to the fact that both behaviors are fostered by important underlying personality characteristics.”

Aspire, Teacher’s Guide, p. 80

“The consequences of pre-marital sex include “guilt, disappointment, worry, depression, sadness, loneliness, and loss of self-esteem.”

Choosing the Best JOURNEY, Leader Guide, p. 25

“[A sexually active teen] may turn inward, fail to develop healthy interests and relationships, fail to develop a personal, independent identity, experience feelings of betrayal that can lead to rage.”

Choosing the Best LIFE, Leader Guide, p. 8

In an exercise entitled “A Rose with No Petals,” the teacher is told to “hold up a beautiful rose.” Students are then told to pass the rose around the room with each student removing a petal. When the rose no longer has petals, the teacher must “share that the rose represents someone who participates in casual sex. Each time a sexually active person gives that most personal part of himself or herself away, that person can lose a sense of personal value and worth. It all comes down to self-respect.”

Choosing the Best PATH, Leader Guide, p. 7

“There will never be any form of birth control or protection that will teach faithfulness, trustworthiness, responsibility, and commitment.”

Why kNOw?, 6th grade, p. 34

“WARNING! Going on this ride could change your life forever, result in poverty, heartache, disease, and even DEATH.” It goes on to say that many “will board this ride and come out losers.”

Why kNOw?, 6th grade, p. 26

“If an adolescent is sexually active, he is no longer a challenge or different from the crowd. After a while, the teenager is no longer respected.”

RRTW, teacher’s manual, p. 3.27

“If [a girl] has been involved in sexual activity…sexually, she is no longer a virgin, she is no longer pure, unspoiled, fresh.”

HIS, Teacher’s Manual, p. 9

“But did you know that sexual activity outside of the commitment of marriage could put YOUR FUTURE at risk?”

Heritage Keepers, Teacher Manual, unnumbered page