Final answer:
Abstinence-only sex education programs had no impact on the adolescents' engagement in sexual activity. Research has shown that these programs do not effectively reduce teen pregnancy rates or decrease sexual activity. Comprehensive sex education programs that include information about safer sexual practices and contraception are preferred by the majority of U.S. parents.
Step-by-step explanation:
Abstinence-only sex education programs that were federal policy in the U.S. until 2009 had no impact on the adolescents' engagement in sexual activity.
Research and studies have shown that abstinence-only education programs do not effectively reduce teen pregnancy rates or decrease the engagement of adolescents in sexual activity. In fact, a 2011 study published in the journal PLoS One found that abstinence-only education actually increased teen pregnancy rates.
According to national surveys, the majority of U.S. parents support comprehensive sex education programs that include information about safer sexual practices and contraception, rather than abstinence-only programs.