Help Protect Teens through REAL Sex Education

Abstinence-only-until-marriage sex education does not work. A recent study by Mathematica Policy Research found that youth in abstinence-only programs were no more likely to abstain from sex for a longer period of time or to have fewer sexual partners.

Despite this, three separate federal programs—totaling $176 million—support unproven abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. This program is in contradiction to what Americans want. The majority of Americans overwhelmingly support comprehensive sex education that will help protect teens from unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.

The Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act, introduced by Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), would provide funding to states for medically-accurate, comprehensive sex education that includes information about both abstinence and contraception that teens need to protect themselves.

Help protect teens by urging your Congressmembers to support REAL sex education.

Thank you!

For more information about this and other federal legislation, please visit http://www.ppnt.org/advocacy/legislation-court-cases/federal-legislation.html.

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

As your constituent, I urge to you to support federal funding for medically-accurate sex education through the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act.

A recent study by Mathematica Policy Research showed that abstinence-only programs do not work. According to the study, teens in these programs were no more likely to abstain from sex or to have fewer sexual partners. Despite this, $176 million in federal funds will be spent on these ineffective programs this year, while no government money will be spent on comprehensive sex education.

It is time for Congress to support effective, medically-accurate sex education programs.

(Edit Letter Below)

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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