by TChris

Promises are easier to make than they are to keep. That's particularly true when the promise is to remain abstinent. Teens who make the pledge often start searching for loopholes, and that, according to a new study, explains why they are just as likely to acquire sexually transmitted diseases as are other teens.

The latest study, published in the April issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health, found that teens pledging virginity until marriage are more likely to have oral and anal sex than other teens who have not had intercourse. That behavior, however, "puts you at risk," said Hannah Brueckner, assistant professor of sociology at Yale and one of the study's authors.

The pledging group was also less likely to use condoms during their first sexual experience or get tested for STDs, the study found.

Of course, if teens were taught about safe sex options in addition to the benefits of abstinence, they'd be less at risk -- but that doesn't matter to the "abstinence only" crowd. An earlier report questioning the value of "abstinence only" education is discussed here.