A 2008 study showed that teenagers who pledge to remain virgins until marriage are just as likely to have premarital sex as those who do not promise abstinence, and they are significantly less likely to use condoms and other forms of birth control when they do. If we assume that the goal of such pledges is to reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies, what would a utilitarian determine should be done?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism focuses on the outcomes of actions, aiming to maximize overall happiness and minimize suffering. If pledges lead to a higher risk of unplanned pregnancies due to less use of birth control, a utilitarian would likely argue against them because they do not achieve the intended goal of reducing unplanned pregnancies and may increase harm.

A 2008 Study Showed That Teenagers Who Pledge to Remain