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A federally funded survey on abstinence was completed by Abt Associates on February 26, 2009.
Only after intense pressure by a University of Northern Colorado professor and several others was the study finally released last week---August 23, 2010.
After using tax payer money to conduct the study, why did the Obama administration refuse to release it for a year and a half?
As usual, the government has made a bureaucratic explanation of sorts, but the facts are pretty clear, that the Obama Administration wasn't pleased with some of the findings.
Peter Sprigg, Senior Fellow for Policy Studies at FRC said, "I think this study is an embarrassment for the Obama Administration, because it offers significant support for the type of abstinence education that they have stopped funding."
He also noted, "I think it's shameful that they repressed the report and failed to release it for a year and a half."
CNS NEWS has written an in depth article which chronicles the steps that led to the government finally releasing the study to the public. It's fascinating. I have linked the CNS story above. The CNS story has a link to a pdf of the entire study if you want to check it out.
Although the study is substantial, the essence of the study is built around the survey asking American parents and adolescents whether they strongly agreed, somewhat agreed, somewhat disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement that, "Having sexual Intercourse is something only married people should do."
They found 70% of American parents and 53.5% of American adolescents believe sex before marriage is wrong.
Here's the breakout:
CNS reports that among parents, 47.6% strongly agreed, 22.2% somewhat agreed, while 17.8% somewhat disagreed and 12.3% strongly disagreed.
CNS reports that among adolescents, 38.5% strongly agreed and 23.0% somewhat agreed, while 21.5% somewhat disagreed and 17.1% strongly disagreed.
Other findings in the study were:
*Students involved in abstinence education programs were more likely to communicate with their parents about such topics.
*Kids prefer to hear about sex from mom and dad.
*Brief and substantive talks by parents are more effective.
*Religious participation has a powerful influence on attitudes toward abstinence and pre-martial sex.
*The study provided proof that a strong majority of American families support the abstinence until married message.
When President Obama presented his first budget for 2010, he specifically noted that he wanted to eliminate all funds for abstinence education.
In the past both Democrat and Republican presidents have supported abstinence education.
Clearly, this is one more issue where he is out of step with a majority of both parents and youth, based on a study his own people administrated.
Be Informed. Be Discerning. Be Vigilant. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.
_____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom
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