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By Rep. Diana DeGette

For the last six years I have observed President George W. Bush govern based on rigid ideology, not facts. I have watched him disregard peer-reviewed data, experts and science on everything from the Iraq war to stem-cell research. When presented with evidence contrary to his preconceived ideas, instead of altering his views, he simply sticks his head in the sand and becomes ever more steadfast in his beliefs.

The latest example of this attitude of willful ignorance is President Bush’s continued support of abstinence-only sex-education programs, despite recent strong evidence demonstrating these programs do not work.

In April, Mathematica Policy Research released a congressionally authorized study that examined the impact of abstinence-only programs. The study looked at more than 2,000 teens over a four- to six-year period.

The findings were striking. Abstinence-only programs had no impact on teen sexual behavior whatsoever. For example, the study found that teens participating in abstinence-only programs had a similar number of sexual partners as their peers not in the programs and that the age when both groups first had sex was comparable as well.

Yet, once again, the president is ignoring the evidence and continuing to mandate the federal government’s role in abstinence-only education. This year alone, the federal government is spending $176 million to impose abstinence-only programs on our children. As study after study demonstrates, there is no meaningful evidence that these restrictive programs are effective. In fact, some studies suggest abstinence-only programs put teens at greater risk because they diminish young people’s willingness to use contraception.

Abstinence-only programs fly in the face of scientific and medical research, public opinion and common sense by prohibiting the teaching of contraceptive use to prevent unintended pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.

The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the Western world with more than 800,000 teens becoming pregnant every year; clearly, what we are doing is not working. Instead of putting our heads in the sand, we must responsibly educate our children. Legislation I have authored with Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., the Prevention First Act, would begin to do just that.

The bill supports honest and medically accurate sex and abstinence education and redirects federal efforts and taxpayer dollars away from programs that don’t work and into medically-based education.

It is imperative to provide young people with age-appropriate information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases, as well as coaching abstinence to protect their health and prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Colorado and other states have enacted similar laws. While the states lead, the federal government continues to live in the 19th century. With all we know about how to prevent teen pregnancy and reduce sexually transmitted diseases, it is high time to redirect the millions of federal dollars that we squander every year on abstinence-only education to programs that actually work.

If President Bush truly wants to reduce unwanted pregnancies and keep our children safe, he should let facts, not ideology, dictate his policy. Our children’s well-being is at stake.

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette is in her sixth term in Congress representing Colorado’s 1st Congressional District.

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Abstinence Ed does work. Have you ever met a couple (married) where both did wait for marriage to become sexually active? I've met numerous and I've yet to see one of those relationships that are unhealthy.

Sex before marriage is NOT the only way and should not be the only option offered. Waiting for marriage is a very viable option, and there are no problems with that alternative.

It's time for most to think outside the box. It's okay to tell your kids that sexual activity before marriage is not a good idea.

It's time for most parents to have some guts, and tell your kids the truth. Obviously, starting earlier is easier, but it's worth taking the right stand by guarding your children's hearts at an early age. Here's the surprise: It's actually pretty easy to do. It makes sense, it's right, and you'll find your children respect you more.

To succomb to the pressures of living "the way everyone else does" is just a sign of parents not wanting to invest in the energy of doing what they know is the right thing to do.

Pass out the birth control and condoms.

Diana DeGette is useless.

Sorry Thomas,

You're a liar times two.

The data on Abstinence Only shows no improvement in sexual activity or pregnancy rates, but guarantees its students ignorance of effective methods of risk reduction.

Representative DeGette does not have "opposition to abstinence", but to "Abstinence Only." Any responsible age appropriate scientifically based sex education starts by telling teens that the only way to avoid the consequences of sex is abstinence. It also teaches avoidance of situations, like drugs and alcohol use, when judgment can be impaired, making unplanned sex more likely. Students are taught about prophylactics and contraceptives as well.

Abstinence Only education is not scientifically based, and specfifically prohibits any mention of birth control except to mention failure rates. Numerous studies have shown these programs teaching students things that are demonstrably false.

Plus, they don't work.

So Thomas, show me the "reliable" data.

So Ms. DeGette has watched President Bush govern "based on rigid ideology, not facts."That's like the kettle calling the pot black. Dems routinely base their decisions on ideology like the shop-worn "class warfare" nonsense and the new religion, Global Warming, which brooks no contradiction, dissent. There is reliable data out there that contradicts Ms. DeGette's ideological opposition to abstinence but being rigid she just doesn't want to hear or see it.

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