Abstinence-until-marriage programs teach that abstinence is the only morally correct option of sexual expression for teens. Abstinence-until-marriage programs are funded by the U.S. federal government and are required to teach according to what are called the A-H principles. Below are these principles, so you can see for yourself what is being taught.

Section 510(b) of Title V of the Social Security Act, P.L. 104…#8220;193

For the purposes of this section, the term "abstinence education" means an educational or motivational program which:

1. has as its exclusive purpose teaching the social, psychological, and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual activity;

2. teaches abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage as the expected standard for all school-age children;

3. teaches that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-ofwedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems;

4. teaches that a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the expected standard of sexual activity;

5. teaches that sexual activity outside of the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects;

6. teaches that bearing children out-of-wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences for the child, the child's parents, and society;

7. teaches young people how to reject sexual advances and how alcohol and drug use increase vulnerability to sexual advances, and

8. teaches the importance of attaining self-sufficiency before engaging in sexual activity.

As you read this list, you may have noticied that there are lots of young people whose life experiences will be portrayed in a shameful way. For example, according to abstinence-until-marriage sex education, abstinence is the only morally correct choice that teens can make. That means any teen who isn't a "virgin" is told that she or he is a morally wrong person. So teens who have already engaged in sex, or who have been sexually abused, or who are living in non-traditional households are presented with shame and fear-based messages, as well as denied critical health information.

Most of the questions and information that gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning teens want to know are left out altogether!

For a detailed analysis of what many people think is wrong with these principles, check out "Towards a sexually Healthy America," published by Advocates for Youth and SIECUS.

If you want to know what is happening in your state, check out the Guttmacher Institute.