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. Over 500,000 teens are expected to sign pledges, and when the campaign culminates in a July 29 rally in Washington, D.C., all of the signed pledges will be publicly displayed. The mere existence of the billboard's message is a positive sign that the days of pooh-poohing the abstinence message are over.