The ConSultant
Virginity PledgeFriday, February 20, 2009 By Ha Luong
Virginity pledges By Ha Luong Staff Writer Sex. That’s an activity at least some teens do not want to participate in. In fact, many teens believe strongly in abstinence. So much so, in fact, that they sign virginity pledges. “I agree with the idea,” said freshman Courtney Clinger, “but anything can happen. You never know.” A recent study, however, show that virginity pledgers engage in sex only slightly less than those who do not, according to a December 2008 story in The San Diego-Union Tribune . But particularly troubling, experts say, is that students who have taken virginity pledges are less likely to use condoms, according to the study. “I did the pledge when I was young,” said senior Kelsie Phillips, “but I let that go; but I agree and hope my sister follows hers.” Apparently, others have let theirs lapse, too, because the number of students signing virginity pledges has declined over the past decade. Once the pledge became more popular, it became less unique and teenagers seem less likely to find it appealing. Studies sponsored by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found that the success of virginity pledges requires the support of like-minded classmates. |