age abstinence

In this latest study researchers examined four abstinence programs throughout the USA. The students who attended these programs were compared with others, in the same areas, who did not attend the programs - a total of 2,057 children. Those who did take part in the programs did so for 1 to 3 years, aged 11 to 12. The programs started in 1999. They were followed up in 2005/2006, by which time most of the participants, and the controls, were aged 16 and-a-half years. In both groups (those who attended the program and those who didn't) the number of children who had not engaged in sexual intercourse was identical - about half of them.