Virginity pledges are effective for some but not for most.
Varying studies throughout the years have produced conflicting information, especially considering the fact that many teens are not truthful about their sexual activities.
According to a recent study by the RAND Corp., which studied a group of teens with similar sexual backgrounds over a three-year period, those who made purity pledges were 8 percent less likely to be sexually active than those who had not made a pledge.
Experts who support abstinence-only education warn, however, that pledges alone are not enough. Valerie Huber, executive director of the National Abstinence Education Association claims, "a lot of people would say a virginity pledge is an equivalent to an abstinence education program"; but she argues that i's not. "It's a single event," says Huber, "with a personal commitment, but there's often not follow-up."
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What do you feel are the benefits of making pledges to purity? Do you think there are any disadvantages? If so, what are they? In addition to pledges and vows, what do you think teenagers need to hear, learn, understand or experience in order to abstain from sex?
FULL USA TODAY ARTICLE