Raising the Behavior Bar

A basic principle of Abstinence Education is that the majority of teens will favorably respond when challenged with the highest standards of expected behavior.

Detractors of high behavioral standards, those who support 'comprehensive' sex education, criticize abstinence education as the 'just say no' message.

The fact is -- supported by the most extensive research project ever -- an adolescent pledge 'to just say no' is without a close second in delaying the onset of sexual activity.

[JAMA (Journal of American Medical Assoc.), "Protecting Adolescents From Harm: Findings From the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health", September 1997; Add Health study, "Reducing the Risk:Connections That Make a Difference in the Lives of Youth", http://www.cpc.unc.edu/projects/addhealth/faqs/addhealth/Reducing-the-risk.pdf ; http://www.mnddc.org/extra/risk/page1.htm ; http://casel.org/publications/reducing-the-risk-connections-that-make-a-difference-in-the-lives-of-youth/]