Sex Education and the Role of Peer Groups

Research shows that abstinence only education, although it may briefly delay intercourse in specific contexts, may create barriers to health knowledge, while comprehensive sex education does not lead to an overall increase in sexual behavior. But little attention has been given to the influence of peers’ abstinence pledges on teenagers’ likelihood of taking such pledges. The Capstone team’s research explores how one's peers influence an individual's decision to sign an abstinence pledge and to delay sexual activity. The team also explored longer-term effects on health and the likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behaviors.