What is the value of the abstinence pledge?

Effective in delaying sex:
A) “Teens who took a public or written pledge to remain abstinent until marriage delayed having sex about 1/3 longer than comparable teens who had not pledged.”

B) “The delay effect is substantial and almost impossible to erase. Taking a pledge delays intercourse for a long time. Pledging decreases the risk of intercourse substantially and independently.”

C) Median age for transition to sexual activity for non-black: 19.9 years, vs. 16.7 yrs for non-pledgers.

D) For black females and males, the difference in median age between pledgers and non-pledgers was slightly above 2 years (27 months).

Effective in planning interventions:
“The analysis has provided sound, substantial information for educators and others who work with youth to take into account when planning interventions to help teens to avoid early sex and its associated risks.” – Duane Alexander, M.D. Director of the NICHD.

What does the average pledger look like?

1) Pledgers are more likely to be more religious.
2) Pledgers are more likely to be of Asian ancestry.
3) Pledgers are more likely to be in a romantic relationship.
4) Pledgers are often less physically advanced.

“Adolescents who pledge, controlling for all the usual characteristics of adolescents and their social contexts that are associated with the transition to sex, are much less likely than adolescents who do not pledge to have intercourse.”

What accounts for the success?

1) Personal commitment.
2) Planning for the future.
3) Peer accountability for “sticking to the pledge.” It is an identity.
4) Non-normative behavior/ setting own standard.

What happens to the student who “breaks” his/her pledge?

1) “Suffers no greater loss of self esteem than those who didn’t make a pledge”.
2) One-third less likely to use contraception, but still at less risk of acquiring STD than counterparts.

Click here for examples of a virginity pledge...