Which statement best describes abstinence programs' effectiveness as reported in the material?

• A. are very effective in reducing teen birth & sexually transmitted diseases
• B. don't work. Teens are not less likely to abstain & are less likely to use contraception
• C. help teens deal with the negative psychological outcomes that occur because of early sexual experiences
• D. helpful in reducing the rates of teen pregnancy

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is whether abstinence-focused programs actually change teen sexual behavior or risk outcomes. The material reports that these programs generally do not produce the intended effects: they don’t meaningfully reduce sexual activity, and they don’t reliably increase contraception use when teens do become sexually active. In this light, the most accurate statement is that abstinence programs don’t work in the expected way—teens aren’t less likely to have sex, and they’re not more likely to use contraception. The other descriptions—claiming strong drops in teen birth or STDs, or emphasizing psychological outcomes—aren’t supported by the material’s findings.