Through the looking glass: Abstinence-only-until-marriage programs and their impact on adolescent human rights

Miller, Alice; Schleifer, Rebecca

doi:10.1525/srsp.2008.5.3.28

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Young people who inject drugs (PWID) have attracted particular attention as up to a third of new HIV infections occur among 15-24 year-olds (UNICEF, 2010), and evidence suggests that younger injectors can be at higher risk for HIV (Fennema, Ameijden, Hoek, & Coutinho, 1997), Hepatitis C (HCV) (Garfein, et al, 2007), and overdose (EHRN, 2009). This reflects younger users' more recent initiation of injecting, which is associated with riskier practices (Miller & Schleifer, 2008). Younger injectors also exhibit higher rates of sexual risk-taking (Kral, Lorvick, & Edlin, 2000;Latkin & Knowlton, 2005), and often do not self-identify as PWID, resulting in lower HIV awareness and risk perception (Kleinman, Goldsmiths, Friedman, Hopkins, & Des Jarlais, 1990).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Injecting behaviour and service use among young injectors in Albania, Moldova, Romania and Serbia

Busza

Douthwaite

Bani

et al. 2013

International Journal of Drug Policy

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Background: This study examines socio-demographic profiles, injecting risk, and use of health services among young injectors (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24) in Albania, Moldova, Romania, and Serbia. The objective was to provide age-disaggregated data to identify differences between adolescents (<18) and youth (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24), and help fill the gap in knowledge on the youngest injectors in this region. Methods: Cross sectional surveys were conducted in each country using chain-referral sampling to reach diverse networks of people who use drugs (PWID). In Albania and Romania, surveys were conducted in the capitals, respectively Bucharest and Tirana. Respondents were recruited from 3 cities in Moldova (Chisinau, Balti and Tiraspol) and Serbia (Belgrade, Novi Sad and Nis). Data were collected on risk behaviours, service use, and contact with police and other authorities. Analysis focused on associations between unsafe injecting behaviour and key determinants including demographic background, source of needles/syringes, use of harm reduction services, and interactions with law enforcement. Results: Although drug use and health-seeking varied across settings, sources of injecting equipment were significantly associated with sharing needles and syringes in Moldova, Romania and Serbia. Obtaining equipment from formal sources (pharmacies, needle-exchange programmes) reduced likelihood of sharing significantly, while being stopped by the police or incarcerated increased it. Adolescents relied on pharmacies more than public sector services to obtain equipment. Conclusion: Adolescents comprise a small proportion of PWID in this region, but have poorer access to harm reduction services than older peers. Engaging young PWID through private and public sector outlets might reduce unsafe practices, while use of the justice system to address drug use complicates efforts to reach this population.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Injecting behaviour and service use among young injectors in Albania, Moldova, Romania and Serbia

Busza

Douthwaite

Bani

et al. 2013

International Journal of Drug Policy

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“…Abstinence-only education teaches youth to wait until marriage to have sex (U.S. Social Security Administration 2007) and received $176 million in federal funding in fiscal year 2007 (Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States 2008). In general, such programs emphasize the failure rates of condoms (Human Rights Watch 2004;Kantor et al 2008;Lin and Santelli 2008) and are inherently biased against homosexual youth for whom marriage is generally not an option (Miller and Schleifer 2008;Santelli et al 2006;Santelli and Kantor 2008). Some scholars have also argued that abstinence-only programs violate human rights by denying youth access to accurate medical information (Santelli et al 2006;.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicting Preferences for Types of Sex Education in US Schools

Bleakley¹,

Hennessy²,

Fishbein³

2010

Sex Res Soc Policy

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The authors examined how support for abstinenceonly education, comprehensive sex education, and condom instruction in US schools was related to beliefs about their respective efficacy, as well as how policy preferences were related to demographic, political, and social variables such as political orientation, attendance at religious services, and having an adolescent in the household. The authors used structural equation modeling to analyze survey data from a nationally representative sample of adults 18 years of age and older. Frequency of attendance at religious services and political orientation were associated with policy preferences directly and indirectly through their influence on beliefs about the educational efficacy of each approach. Having an adolescent in the household, age, and region of the country were not associated with any of the mediating beliefs or outcomes. Religious and political factors emerged as key characteristics in explaining support or opposition to different sex education approaches in the United States.

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“…A small body of research has indicated that certain types of sex and relationship education can prevent future IPV (Foshee et al, 2004); specifically comprehensive sex education programs (Kirby, 2008). The research regarding sex education suggests that education should expand beyond abstinence-only programs into a broader study of sexuality found in comprehensive programs (Ashcraft, 2008;Kendall, 2008;Kirby, 2008;Miller & Schleifer, 2008 programs provide students with information from all perspectives (e.g., pro-sex and abstinence) and teach them about the many aspects of sex (e.g., physical, emotional, social). The goal of this type of education is to equip students with tools-such as communication techniques, questions, and activities for couples-so that they can make informed decisions about sex and their relationships (Kirby, 2008).…”

Section: Education and Communication: Prevention Of Intimate Partner mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some researchers and educators may want to move beyond abstinence-only programs because research has shown that these programs can be detrimental to public health and ineffective in meeting the school's goals. For example, some studies (Booonstra, 2004;Kirby, 2008;Miller & Schleifer, 2008) have shown that abstinence-only programs can cause a public health problem because they discourage condom use, which can lead to unintended pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Further, a recent meta-analysis of abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education programs found that only three of nine abstinence-only programs had positive benefits (Kirby, 2008).…”

Section: Education and Communication: Prevention Of Intimate Partner mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Overall, these studies indicate that comprehensive programs create a healthier attitude toward sex because they encourage discussion of its positive and negative effects. In addition, research reveals that comprehensive programs that include relationship education can help people maintain healthy relationships (Kirby, 2008;Miller & Schleifer, 2008). Therefore, one unrecognized possible benefit of comprehensive sex and relationship education could be the prevention of IPV.…”

Section: Education and Communication: Prevention Of Intimate Partner mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Relation Between Family Functioning, Ego Identity, and Self-Esteem in Young Adults

Schumacher¹,

Camp²

2010

PsiChiJournal

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We examined the potential influence of family characteristics on ego identity and self-esteem among emerging adults. College students (N = 210, M = 19.52 years, 65% women) completed measures of self-esteem, ego-identity, and family functioning (General Family Functioning, Communication, Roles, Affective Responsiveness, Affective Involvement, and Behavior Control). In a multiple regression analysis, self-esteem was predicted by ego identity, general family functioning, and gender. Similarly, when ego-identity was the criterion variable, it was predicted by self-esteem, general family functioning, and gender. We further examined the nature of these relations using a path model. Healthy family functioning predicted stronger ego identity which in turn was predictive of higher self-esteem. In addition, being male was significantly related to higher self-esteem whereas being female was related to higher ego identity.

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Through the looking glass: Abstinence-only-until-marriage programs and their impact on adolescent human rights

Cited by 7 publications

References 16 publications

Injecting behaviour and service use among young injectors in Albania, Moldova, Romania and Serbia

Injecting behaviour and service use among young injectors in Albania, Moldova, Romania and Serbia

Predicting Preferences for Types of Sex Education in US Schools

The Relation Between Family Functioning, Ego Identity, and Self-Esteem in Young Adults

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