Abstinence-ONLY

1. Abstinence-ONLY • Abstinence-only education is a valued based pedagogy • Teaches sexual activity outside of marriage is harmful • Prohibition on discussing contraceptive or safe sex practices

2. For three decades Abstinence-Only Education was the only federally funded sexual education program School funding comes from property taxes and with additional aid from federal and state governments. Inner city schools which typically have more students of color (African/Black America & Latino). Forced to use abstinence only education.

3. Abstinence Advocates • Sex before marriage is inappropriate and immoral • Abstinence is only 100% effective method to prevent pregnancy and STIs • Information about sex, contraception and HIV can encourage early sexual activity • Traditional values and religious faith , consistent with abstinence message, have positive effects

4. Heterosexism Only 6 states allow same-sex marriage What message does this send to youth who identify as LGBTQ?

5. Comprehensive Education Advocates • Encourage abstinence but inform participants about STI and HIV prevention • Respects the diversity of values and beliefs represented in the community • Complimentary to the sexuality education child receives from caregiver or family

6. Changed Values • The media portrays highly sexualized images and contain sexual innuendos more so now than in the past • Increased pressure for both young males and females to be sexually active • Decreased fear of AIDS/HIV leading to less use of condoms or contraceptives • Unmarried parenthood less stigmatized than in the past among both teens and adults • Cohabitation before marriage increasingly common • More women continuing education and joining the workforce • People are getting married at an older age

7. 87% of American public support strengthening a culture of personal responsibility regarding sex, getting pregnant, and bringing children into the world.

8. Latino/Hispanic Values • Two-thirds of Latino teens are the children of immigrants • Family and children are a blessing in many Latino cultures • Hispanics are a diverse group and this diversity extends to the family unit. • Varying levels of acculturation for children of immigrants and their parents need to be addressed

9. The Web of Oppression • Title X at risk to lose fundingwith proposed budget cuts • Sexism: Viewed as an attack against women because this cut will mainly affect the poor and women of color • Classism: Programs serve mainly low income neighborhoods and clients

10. Movements • Civil Liberties & Public Policy program (CLPP). Hampshire College • Teens to Legislators: Safeguard Policies and Services that Protect Youth • Birds and Bees Text Line, funded by the state of North Carolina • California-based ISIS Inc. (Internet Sexuality Information Services)

11. Recommendations -Teen pregnancy and sexual education curriculum directly affect youth. Instead of being their voice let them use their own voice! -Educates and empowers youth to make informed choices -Raises their awareness about the structural and social that narrow the possibilities for so many youth. “From solving youth problems to problem solving youth”