In an investigative report on teenage pregnancies, pregnancies actually increased among adolescents involved in the family planning programs, compared to adolescents who were not involved. Susheela Singh of the Alan Guttmacher Institute found that states with a higher proportion of teen-agers served by family planning clinics do not have lower pregnancy rates, only lower birth rates and higher abortion rates. Many abstinence programs conversely have been shown to substantially reduce teen pregnancies. San Marcos Junior High School in San Marcos, California, could also testify to the efficacy of abstinence-only education. But two years after the program's adoption, only 20 girls became pregnant.
Abstinence is on the rise.
The trend is reflected not only in the growing popularity o these abstinence programs, but also in polling data. Persuasive evidence suggests otherwise. Many churches and community groups around the country are supporting this effort, including the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, Campus Crusade for Christ, and Youth for Christ. Some teenagers taking the virginity pledge receive rings from their parents in wedding-like ceremonies to demonstrate the seriousness of their commitment. And, while not all of the teens who make the pledge are virgins, all of them pledge to remain chaste until marriage.