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[[Image:Beads MFA Boston.jpg|right|thumb|128px|Abstinence beads.]]

[[Image:Beads MFA Boston.jpg|right|thumb|128px|Abstinence beads.]]

The word '''abstinence''' means refraining from indulging in an appetite.

The word '''abstinence''' means refraining from indulging in an appetite.  In the 1800s and early 1900s, "abstinence" meant avoiding alcohol.

In the 1800s and 1900s, the word "abstinence," used without other explanation, almost always meant abstinence from [[drinking|alcohol]]. The "abstinence movement," for example, led to the establishment of [[prohibition]]. ''Teetotaler'' meant someone who advocated "total abstinence," rather than just moderation.

Starting around 1985, "abstinence" meant avoiding sexual intercourse amid pervasive sexually transmitted diseases, such as [[Herpes]]. In 2002, the [[White House]] stated:

 

Starting in about the 1990s, "abstinence" has been more commonly used in the context of abstinence from sexual intercourse, particularly in the United States in the context of [[sex education]] for adolescents. Thus, for example, we read in a 2002 [[White House]] policy statement:

:..."the goal of Federal policy should be to emphasize abstinence as the only certain way to avoid both unintended pregnancies and STDs."<ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/02/welfare-book-06.html WORKING TOWARD INDEPENDENCE] Encourage Abstinence and Prevent Teen Pregnancy, White House News and Policies, February 2002</ref>

:..."the goal of Federal policy should be to emphasize abstinence as the only certain way to avoid both unintended pregnancies and STDs."<ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/02/welfare-book-06.html WORKING TOWARD INDEPENDENCE] Encourage Abstinence and Prevent Teen Pregnancy, White House News and Policies, February 2002</ref>

Studies of the effectiveness of [[abstinence education]] programs have yielded differing conclusions. A 2004 study by the [[conservative]] [[Heritage Foundation]] found that [[virginity pledge]]s significantly reduce premarital sex without putting backsliders at risk.<ref> Teens Who Make Virginity Pledges Have Substantially Improved Life Outcomes

[[Abstinence education]] is effective. A 2004 study by the [[conservative]] [[Heritage Foundation]] found that [[virginity pledge]]s significantly reduce premarital sex without putting backsliders at risk.<ref> Teens Who Make Virginity Pledges Have Substantially Improved Life Outcomes

by Robert E. Rector, Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D., and Jennifer A. Marshall

by Robert E. Rector, Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D., and Jennifer A. Marshall

Center for Data Analysis Report #04-07 [http://www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/cda04-07.cfm] </ref> A study funded by the Administration of [[liberal]] President [[Bill Clinton]] through Mathematica Policy Research found that "the programs had no effect on the sexual abstinence of youth."<ref>[http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/abstinencereport.asp Impacts of Four Abstinence Education Programs]</ref>  But this study reached this [[liberal]] conclusion by omitting abstinence education during the pivotal high school years and by only following 4 elementary and middle school programs out of 700 total schools that had received funding.<ref>http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WU07D09</ref>

Center for Data Analysis Report #04-07 [http://www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/cda04-07.cfm] </ref> A flawed study funded by the Administration of [[liberal]] President [[Bill Clinton]] through Mathematica Policy Research claimed that "the programs had no effect on the sexual abstinence of youth."<ref>[http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/abstinencereport.asp Impacts of Four Abstinence Education Programs]</ref>  But this study reached this [[liberal]] conclusion by omitting abstinence education during the pivotal high school years and by only following 4 elementary and middle school programs out of 700 total schools that had received funding.<ref>http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WU07D09</ref>

[[Liberals]] oppose abstinence policies; [[Planned Parenthood]], a powerful liberal organization, profits from teenage sexual activity.  Yet the facts are undisputed:  abstinent teens never get infected with STDs or become pregnant from having sex.

[[Liberals]] oppose abstinence policies; [[Planned Parenthood]], a powerful liberal organization, profits from teenage sexual activity.  Yet the facts are undisputed:  abstinent teens never get infected with STDs or become pregnant from having sex.