In a move to subsidize programs that advocate strict adherence to abstinence, President Bush has requested a 100 percent increase in funding for the Special Projects of Regional and National Significance Community-Based Abstinence Education initiative, which would bring its budget to $273 million. Since his inauguration in 2001, Bush has been at the forefront of the sex-education battle with his efforts to fund faith-based programs. However, he has consistently failed to take on the responsibility of examining the implications of these policies — many of which run contrary to well established scientific consensus. In this case, not only has abstinence-only education been established as less effective in preventing teenage pregnancy, but it also fails to adequately educate students on how to safely avoid sexually transmitted diseases — before and after marriage.

There is overwhelming evidence showing teenagers are indeed having sex at early ages and are unaffected by these abstinence-only programs. A study the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy conducted found that comprehensive education does not induce sexual behavior.

In addition, teen birth rates have been on a gradual decline since the mid-’90s, when schools increased their focus on informing students about contraceptives. All the data indicate that the changes in sex education taking place were indeed effective. As schools began to shift away from a focus on stressing abstinence, teen pregnancy rates declined.

Supporters still allege that abstinence-only sex education is more effective at preventing unwanted teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. However, a study by the Sexual Information and Education Council demonstrates that abstinence-only programs have no lasting effect on students. Furthermore, the study found that not teaching students about contraception leads to higher rates of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. This more effective, more multi-faceted approach to sex education also has the backing of the experts, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Society for Adolescent Medicine. The facts are not on the president’s side on this issue.

Bush’s funding request also shows the flaws in his strategy to fight the spread of dangerous diseases, such as HIV/AIDS. His flawed abstinence-only reform has been one of his largest expenditures to help prevent the deadly virus from spreading in this country. Upon arrival in office, Bush neglected to subsidize the Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act programs and AIDS drug assistance programs because of his belief that teaching abstinence will eradicate the disease. Even more disturbing, when U.N. General Secretary Kofi Annan asked for $10 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS in 2001, Bush announced a mere commitment of just $200 million, $73 million less than his proposed abstinence funding.

The belief that abstinence-only programs will help solve the AIDS crisis is a clear example of the president’s poor leadership in the areas of sexual education and AIDS policy. Individuals are having sex at earlier ages, and because a number of policymakers across the nation oppose effective sex-education strategies, they are becoming sexually active without a good understanding of contraception and safe sex. This only increases the number of unwanted pregnancies and the spread of dangerous, infectious diseases. Bush needs to re-evaluate his policy and adopt a more effective approach.