Two national surveys of parents show strong support for the abstinence message. This should not be surprising since abstinence provides the optimal health message for teens, providing complete protection from a host of consequences for their children. Both surveys were commissioned by the National Abstinence Education Association in seeking to understand public sentiment for Abstinence Education. Summaries of the two surveys are as follows:

  1. Zogby National Survey.

    The results of the Zogby survey revealed that when parents understood the content of abstinence education programs, they preferred abstinence education by a 2 to 1 margin over comprehensive sex education.

    • A large majority of parents want their teens to be abstinent until they are married.
      • 9 in 10 parents agree that being sexually abstinent is best for their child’s health and future.
      • 8 in 10 parents think it’s important for their child to wait until they’re married to have sex.
    • Parents prefer abstinence education over comprehensive sex-ed by a 2 to 1 margin.
      • 6 in 10 parents prefer abstinence education.
      • 3 in 10 prefer comprehensive sex-ed.
    • A large majority of parents support abstinence education.
      • 8 in 10 parents think public schools should place more emphasis on promoting abstinence vs. contraceptive use.
      • 8 in 10 of parents think that given the high number of STDs among teens, schools should emphasize abstaining from sex.
    • Parents support funding abstinence ed over comprehensive sex ed by 3 to 1 margin.
  2. Pulse National Survey.

    The results of the Pulse survey showed strong support of the abstinence education message regardless of political affiliation or ethnic background.

    • A large majority of Democrats (76%) support abstinence education.
    • A large majority of Republicans (87%) support for abstinence education.
    • Abstinence is supported my a majority of parents among all ethnic groups.
    • The highest support for abstinence education among ethnic groups was among African American (87%).