Johnny L. Williams of Catalina is the father of two teenagers and author of "The Just Friends Syndrome."

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Opinion by Johnny L. Williams

The Arizona Daily Star ("Abstinence-only programs don't work, hurt teens," Jan. 26), Gov. Janet Napolitano and many others think that abstinence programs do not work, therefore should not be taught in Arizona schools. They seem to think that today's teens won't accept such a message.

While it is true that many teens don't, is that a good reason to not teach it?

Many Arizonans are proud of Jordin Sparks, the "American Idol" winner who gave a stirring rendition of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl on Sunday. Sparks is one of many young people who wear a ring reading "True Love Waits," given to her by her parents when she was 13.

She says, "My parents gave me a purity ring and talked to me about waiting until I'm married to have sex. . . . It wasn't forced; it just made perfect sense. It's going to be awesome to say to my husband that I waited my whole life for him."

Wow. Who cannot respect a stand like that?

In the face of a culture obsessed with sex, one thing teens need are good role models like Sparks. She, and many young people like her, are quite a contrast to the steady diet of movies teens watch, like "American Pie," written by clueless adults portraying teens as one-dimensional sex machines.

The government abstinence-only program and many other programs promoting abstinence (True Love Waits. A Silver Ring Thing, Project Reality, et cetera) try to counterbalance all the messages teens get implying they are nerds if they don't have sex.

It will take time to help teens overcome the influences of a sex-crazed culture. It will take mainstream movies that show teenagers who wait as role models instead of as outcasts. It will take parents, teachers, coaches, peers and mentors who encourage self-control. It will take more role models like Miss USA 2003 Erika Harold, a national leader of abstinence programs.

Or people like former NBA star A.C Green, who was still a virgin when he married at age 38. Allow me to quote him, responding to an article which raised some of the same objections as the editorial in the Star: "You claim that abstinence programs are ineffective, and yet there are currently 10 evaluations showing that abstinence education is effective in reducing teen sexual activity.

"You question virginity pledges, but according to the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, young women who take a virginity pledge are approximately 40 percent less likely to have a child out of wedlock when compared to similar young women who do not make pledges.

"You imply that abstinence programs fail to discuss STDs and contraception. Not only do abstinence programs address these topics, they do so accurately, explaining the truth about so-called 'safe sex' and helping teens understand that their decisions have consequences."

My teenage daughter and many of her friends wear a promise ring and are committed to waiting on sex until marriage. While I am encouraged that Napolitano and the Star agree it is a good thing for teens to wait to have sexual relations until marriage, they dismiss the power of abstinence teaching (especially when promoted by people teens look up to).

Teenagers are not animals with uncontrollable urges. Sparks and others show us that teens can make wise decisions regarding abstinence. The schools should teach and encourage this option. How can teens be hurt by that?