|
Ask Gov. Corzine to continue rejecting dangerous abstinence-only programs!
Just recently, the Bush Administration and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) touted the extension of the Title V, Section 510 State Abstinence Education Grant Program, sending a letter to states informing them that they may now submit one application for funding for five years, from fiscal year (FY) 2009 through FY 2013. Previously, states were required to submit a new Title V grant application each year. Gov. Corzine worked to rejected these dangerous funds in October 2006 and, in doing so, made New Jersey one of the first states to reject Title V funding. Since that time, dozens of states followed suit and today twenty-five states (yes, that's half!) have declined to participate in the Title V Program. Help Gov. Corzine express to the Bush Administration that this funding is bad for our states and bad for our children.
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , Just recently, the Bush Administration announced an extension of their dangerous abstinence-only programs for states. I strongly applauded your decision to reject Title V abstinence only funding in the past and I encourage you to reject this latest attempt to lure states back into accepting abstinence only funding. Clearly, this is simply a gimmick aimed at providing a false sense of secure funding for states' abstinence only programs. Furthermore, this so-called five year funding guarantee is not what it seems. Congress is required to approve abstinence only program funding and each year opposition to these dangerous programs is growing. Our children and teens need reality based, medically accurate and honest information about their sexual health. Our teens are smart and responsible, we just need to supply them with the tools to make good decisions.
Sincerely, |
Campaign Launched: |
| Background Information |
Some 750,000 teenagers in the United States will become pregnant this year, and at least one in four teen girls in America has a sexually transmitted infection. American teenagers are bombarded with confusing and conflicting messages about sex. They need access to real, unbiased information — about abstinence, contraception, and healthy relationships.
The vast majority of Americans — including parents — support comprehensive sex education. But only about five percent of American students receive comprehensive sex education that covers all the dimensions of sexuality. Instead, because of anti-choice government policies, many teens are taught a strict abstinence-only program, which does not teach contraception and denies them potentially lifesaving information.
A recent CDC study revealed that more than three million teenage girls – one in four – have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). This study underscores what Planned Parenthood has known for years: teenagers need to know how to protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy. They need the right information to make responsible decisions.
