Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Birth Control Methods

Birth Control Methods

Vasectomy is a surgical form of male sterilization that involves severing and sealing the vasa deferentia, preventing sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation. Because a vasectomy does not impact the testes' ability to produce testosterone, hormone levels, libido, and sexual function generally remain unchanged. While vasectomy is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, with a success rate near 99.85%, rare cases of recanalization (spontaneous reconnection) can occur. Although vasectomy...

Sex-linked Disorders

Sex-linked Disorders

Like autosomes, sex chromosomes contain a variety of genes necessary for normal body function. When a mutation in one of these genes results in biological deficits, the disorder is considered sex-linked.

Punishment

Punishment

Negative reinforcement and punishment are often confused but serve distinct functions in behavior modification. Reinforcement, whether positive or negative, increases the likelihood of a desired behavior, while punishment decreases it.
Punishment can be positive or negative. Positive punishment involves adding an undesirable stimulus, such as scolding, to decrease a behavior. Negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus, such as taking away a favorite toy, to decrease behavior.

Asexual Reproduction

Asexual Reproduction

Asexual reproduction allows plants to reproduce without growing flowers, attracting pollinators, or dispersing seeds. Offspring are genetically identical to the parent and produced without the fusion of male and female gametes.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...

Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets

Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets

Transmission-based precautions are for patients known to be infected or suspected to be infected or colonized with organisms that pose a significant risk to others. Some transmission-based precautions include contact, enteric, and droplet.
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A pilot randomized controlled trial to explore the feasibility of a peer-delivered single-session brief intervention for youth with moderate risk substance use.

PloS one·2026

Same author

Incidence and prevalence of orphanhood in Rakai, Uganda: a population-based cohort study, 1995-2022.

The Lancet. Global health·2026

Same author

Philadelphia's Adolescent Vaccine Self-Consent Regulation: Provider Perspectives, Implementation Barriers, and Implications for Practice.

The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine·2025

Same author

Ethical considerations for research involving pregnant women with HIV and their children.

AIDS (London, England)·2025

Same author

Associations Between Low-Household Income and First-Generation Status With College Student Belonging, Mental Health, and Well-Being.

Emerging adulthood (Print)·2025

Same author

Contraception for Adolescents: Policy Statement.

Pediatrics·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence

A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence

Published on: March 23, 2022

Abstinence and abstinence-only education.

Mary A Ott¹, John S Santelli

¹Section of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. maott@iupui.edu

Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology

|September 22, 2007

Summary

Abstinence-only sex education programs lack effectiveness and contain medical inaccuracies, potentially harming adolescents by withholding crucial information on contraception and STIs. Comprehensive programs are more beneficial for teen sexual health.

More Related Videos

Auricular Point Acupressure Therapy: A Safe and Effective Treatment for Postsurgical Abortion Recovery

Auricular Point Acupressure Therapy: A Safe and Effective Treatment for Postsurgical Abortion Recovery

Published on: February 3, 2026

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence

A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence

Published on: March 23, 2022

Auricular Point Acupressure Therapy: A Safe and Effective Treatment for Postsurgical Abortion Recovery

Auricular Point Acupressure Therapy: A Safe and Effective Treatment for Postsurgical Abortion Recovery

Published on: February 3, 2026

Area of Science:

Public Health
Adolescent Health
Sexuality Education

Background:

Adolescent sexuality education is a critical public health issue.
Federal funding supports abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, totaling over $175 million annually.
These programs restrict information on contraception and condom efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

To review current literature on the medical accuracy of abstinence-only policies.
To evaluate the program effectiveness of abstinence-only education.
To examine ethical concerns associated with abstinence-only policies in adolescent sexuality education.

Main Methods:

Systematic review of recent literature.
Analysis of federal program evaluations.
Examination of cohort data from population-based surveys.

Main Results:

Abstinence-only curricula contain scientifically inaccurate information and promote gender stereotypes.
Evidence suggests these programs have little efficacy and may cause harm.
Comprehensive sexuality education is linked to delayed sexual initiation and reduced risk behaviors.
Abstinence-only policies may violate adolescent human rights by withholding vital health information.

Conclusions:

Federal support for abstinence-only education is concerning due to medical inaccuracies and ineffectiveness.
These programs distort and withhold critical health information.
Ethical considerations and potential harm necessitate a re-evaluation of abstinence-only policies.