A pestilent pledge?

Teens who make a onetime pledge to remain virgins until marriage catch sexually transmitted diseases about as often as those who don't pledge abstinence, according to a study of the sex lives of 12,000 adolescents.

In addition, the "Just Say No" crowd was less likely to notice symptoms of their infections, making it more likely they would pass disease on to others, say researchers at Columbia University.

Nonetheless, these teens did wait longer to engage in premarital sex--delaying intercourse about 18 months longer than their non-abstinent peers.

.: Posted by Duane Bidwell on Thursday, March 11, 2004

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Celebrating the thunder at the heart of the universe, Spondizo explores pastoral theology, spiritual formation, and the vocation of caring for each other and the whole of creation.

The site is written and published by Duane R. Bidwell, Ph.D.

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