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The American College of Pediatricians (ACP) strongly endorses abstinence until marriage sex education and recommends its adoption by all school systems in lieu of “comprehensive sex education.”

The American College of Pediatricians (ACP) strongly endorses abstinence until marriage sex education and recommends its adoption by all school systems in lieu of “comprehensive sex education.” The organization’s position is based upon CDC statistics that show more dire health consequences of adolescent sexual activity, the neurobiology of the still-developing adolescent brain, and “the public health principle of primary prevention,” that is, risk avoidance not mere risk reduction. Contemporary Pediatrics sat down with Diane Foley, MD, of ACP probing for an evidence basis for this stance, asking her why community pediatricians may wish to consider incorporating this message in their counseling, and, if so, what is the most effective approach to such counseling?

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