Final answer:
Abstinence-only programs are typically less effective than comprehensive sex education in reducing adolescent pregnancy and the spread of STIs, with the majority of U.S. adults and parents supporting comprehensive approaches that include safer sexual practices and contraception.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of reducing adolescent pregnancy, several recent research reviews have concluded that abstinence-only programs are generally not as effective as comprehensive sex education in achieving their goals. Rather than delaying the initiation of sexual intercourse or reducing the incidence of sexual activities, studies have found that these programs do not lead to decreased rates of adolescent pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
In fact, according to reviews such as Denford et al. (2017) and a study published in PLoS One (2011), abstinence-only education may actually correlate with increased teen pregnancy rates.
Instead, comprehensive sex education, which includes information about contraception and safer sexual practices, is supported by the majority of U.S. adults and has been shown to be more effective at reducing unintended pregnancies and the spread of STIs.
National surveys also indicate that most U.S. parents prefer a sex education program that combines teaching about abstinence with information on sexual safety. Such comprehensive programs aim to decrease risk by reducing high-risk behaviors and increasing condom use, which is crucial in the prevention of HIV transmission and other sexual health issues.