Abstinence education

Abstract

The American College of Pediatricians strongly endorses abstinence-until-marriage sex education and recommends adoption by all school systems in lieu of “comprehensive sex education.” This position is based on “the public health principle of primary prevention—risk avoidance in lieu of risk reduction,” upholding the “human right to the highest attainable standard of health” ().

Keywords:

• Sex education
• Abstinence
• Sexual risk avoidance education
• Teen pregnancy
• STIs
• Relationship and marriage education

Acknowledgements

The American College of Pediatricians is a national organization of pediatricians and other healthcare professionals dedicated to the health and well-being of children. Formed in 2002, the College is committed to fulfilling its mission by producing sound policy, based upon the best available research, to assist parents and to influence society in the endeavor of child-rearing. Membership is open to qualifying healthcare professionals who share the College's Mission, Vision and Values. The home office is in Gainesville, Florida, the website is http://www.acpeds.org and the office telephone number is 888-376-1877.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alean Zeiler

For over 35 years Alean Zeiler, MD has practiced pediatrics at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. She graduated from the Medical College of Ohio (now University of Toledo Medical College) in 1974. She is on the clinical faculty there and at Ohio University teaching medical students and residents in a busy urban practice. For many years she was Medical Director of Positive Choices, an abstinence until marriage (now called sexual risk avoidance) program which served many schools and community programs in the area. She provides medical services at a local high school in a program called Access to Health. She also enjoys being involved in medical mission projects in the Dominican Republic. She has been married for 35 years and has 3 adult children and 2 granddaughters.