Harvard study challenges authenticity of abstinence, virginity pledges

Washington D.C., May 2, 2006 / 22:00 pm

A new study released by the Harvard School of Public Health challenges the authenticity of pledges made by adolescents to abstain from premarital sex until marriage.

According to Concerned Women for America (CWA), the study attempts to belittle virginity pledges by claiming that adolescents who make pledges to save sex for marriage break their vows within the first year, and that those who relent to premarital sex are more likely to claim that they never made a virginity vow in the first place.

“This new ‘finding’ by Harvard is misleading and deceptive,” chided Janice Crouse, CWA’s senior fellow of the Beverly LaHaye Institute. “This study is in direct contradiction with the trends we have been seeing in recent years –– both teen pregnancies and teen abortions are down, and evidence indicates these trends are related to increased abstinence among teens.

“Those who make virginity pledges have shown greater resolve to save sex for marriage. At the same time, those who have not made a conscious decision to abstain from sex are more likely to engage in premarital sexual activity,” Crouse said in a written release.

“The Harvard report is wrong,” said Crouse. “I know numerous couples who have saved sex for their wedding night. Research is clear –– that it is the best recipe for marital happiness and well-being. Abstinence until marriage is a beautiful promise that should be encouraged and promoted.”