Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates (PPPA)

I support sex education, do you?

Did you know:
Nationally, one in four teen girls is infected with a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?
Over 17,000 teens in Pennsylvania tested positive for chlamydia last year?
83% of Pennsylvanians support comprehensive sex education in schools?
YOU CAN HELP pass sex education legislation here in Pennsylvania?

NOW is the time to make comprehensive sex education the standard in Pennsylvania schools! Two bills, with the support of Democrats, Republicans, pro-choice and pro-life legislators alike, have been introduced into the Pennsylvania House of Representatives that would do just that: The Healthy Youth Act and the Notice Home Act!

Now What?
Comprehensive, science-based sex education is an issue where supporters can find middle ground. Now that the legislation has been introduced, take a moment to ask your legislator to support common sense and healthy youth!

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Help give teens the information to make responsible decisions

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

In Pennsylvania, teen health is in crisis. Teen pregnancies are on the rise, as well as sexually transmitted infections; over 17,000 teenagers in Pennsylvania tested positive for chlamydia in 2008. The adult lives of teenagers are being affected by choices they are making now.

Since 1980, more than one billion dollars in taxpayer money has gone to abstinence-only-until-marriage programs; several million to Pennsylvania schools annually. Numerous studies have proven these programs to be ineffective at delaying sexual activity among teens.

Evidence shows that what has truly been effective is age-appropriate and medically accurate education which is abstinence-based, but also includes information about preventing sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies.

As your constituent, I urge you to support the Healthy Youth Act (HB1163) and the Notice Home Act (HB1162). The Healthy Youth Act would amend the Pennsylvania school code to require public schools' health curriculum to include age appropriate, abstinence-based sex education which includes information on prevention of STIs and unintended pregnancies. Local school boards would decide which programs would best suit their districts, and parents would have the ability to opt out their students from instruction. The Notice Home Act simply requires a notice to be sent home to parents to inform them if their student is to be enrolled in an abstinence-only-until-marriage program at a public school. The bill increases parental involvement by informing parents about what information is and is not being taught in schools so that if parents choose, they may continue the discussion with further education at home.

Help equip Pennsylvania teens to make healthy and responsible choices by giving them the information they need. Please put teen health and well being first and support both of these pieces of vital legislation.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 01, 2009

Background Information

The Healthy Youth Act: Sponsored by Representative Chelsa Wagner (D-Allegheny), the Healthy Youth Act would amend the Pennsylvania school code to require public schools' health curriculum to include age appropriate, abstinence-based sex education which includes information on prevention of STIs and unintended pregnancies. Local school boards would decide which programs would best suit their districts, and parents would have the ability to opt out their students from instruction.
The Notice Home Act: Sponsored by Representative Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne), the bill simply requires a notice to be sent home to parents to inform them if their student is to be enrolled in an abstinence-only-until-marriage program at a public school. The bill increases parental involvement by letting parents know what information is and is NOT being taught, can opt-out their child if they so choose, and can continue the discussion with further education at home.
In 2008, a Center for Disease Control study shocked the nation with the announcement that one in four teenage girls today is infected with an STI.
No abstinence-only-until-marriage program has been shown to help teens delay the initiation of sex or protect themselves when they do initiate sex.
NO standards exist for comprehensive sex education in Pennsylvania.