A. Yes and yes. “Abstinence-only” is a legislative term for educational materials that meet the federal definition of abstinence education, established in section 510 of the 1996 Welfare Reform Act (also referred to as “Title V”), outlined in the A-H Criteria (see "Educational Standards"). L.I. Teen Freedom meets the conditions outlined in A-H and therefore qualifies as “abstinence only” per the government definition.

Teaching and promoting abstinence is the exclusive purpose of L.I. Teen Freedom programs. L.I. Teen Freedom does educate about contraceptives; however, L.I. Teen Freedom does not advocate or demonstrate contraceptive use. Contraceptive methods are presented, including data about efficacy rates with respect to pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.  L.I. Teen Freedom shows, for example, that when used consistently and correctly, condoms are most effective at reducing the risk of HIV but are less effective in protecting against STDs such as chlamydia, herpes, and HPV, which can cause cervical cancer. The facts presented are supported by the CDC, illustrating the CDC’s conclusion that “condom use cannot guarantee absolute protection against any STD” and teaching that only abstinence offers complete, 100% protection against both STDs and pregnancy. (Centers for Disease Control, Male Latex Condoms and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/od/condoms.pdf )

L.I. Teen Freedom strongly emphasizes that abstinence from sex until marriage is students’ best choice for their health and futures.