Tell Congress to End Abstinence-Only Funding


October 2, 2009
www.ppnt.org

Right now, the Senate is considering the FY 2010 Labor-Health and Human Services-Education (Labor-HHS) budget bill that would cease funding to failed abstinence-only-until-marriage sex education programs, and instead, redirect this money to evidence-based, scientifically proven programs to reduce teen pregnancy.  This could be great news for Texas teens.

Unfortunately, the Senate has not voted on the bill yet!

This delay is hurting our adolescents - they are simply not receiving the information they need to protect their health.  With 94% of all school districts in the state teaching only about abstinence, Texas now has one of the highest rates of teen births and the highest teen birth rate in the U.S.

It's time for Congress to fund responsible, complete, and accurate sexual health programs that do work.

Send this message below - today - and tell our Senators to stop wasting time (and money!) and pass the 2010 Labor-HHS budget bill that will end ineffective abstinence-only sex education funding.  Our teens need and deserve better in their classrooms!

Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Your Senators

Below is the sample letter:

Subject: End Abstinence-Only Sex Education Funding

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

As your constituent, I urge you to work quickly to pass the FY 2010 Labor-HHS appropriations bill. This bill includes, among other things, a shift of federal funds away from fruitless abstinence-only sex education instruction to evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs.

The facts are clear - abstinence-only-until-marriage sex education funding is failing to protect young people's health or to prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.

Texas receives the most abstinence-only funding from the U.S. government, yet has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy in the nation. Abstinence-only sex education is failing to give adolescents in Texas the information they need to keep themselves healthy and make responsible decisions!

The government's own study into abstinence-only programs found that these programs have no effect in reducing teen sexual activity. Research on medically-accurate, comprehensive sex education, however, has shown these programs can help teens delay sexual activity, and do increase contraception and condom use if a young person does become sexually active.

I truly believe it is time for Congress to fund proven, responsible teen pregnancy prevention programs in Texas classrooms that actually work to help teens stay healthy and make responsible decisions. Please pass the FY 2010 Labor-HHS budget bill and end abstinence-only sex education funding once and for all.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
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What's At Stake:

The U.S. and Sex Education

  • The U.S. has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the developed world—twice as high as England, Wales or Canada, and 8 times as high as the Netherlands or Japan.

  • In 1996, the U.S. Congress established federal funding exclusively for programs teaching abstinence-only sex education.  The law established a strict definition of abstinence-only education that requires teaching that sexual activity outside of marriage is wrong and harmful — for people of any age.  There are no federal funds for comprehensive sex education programs.

  • Since 1996, more than $1.5 billion in federal and state matching funds has been spent on abstinence-only programs.

Texas and Sex Education

  • Texas leads the nation with one of the highest teen birth rates and repeat teen birth rates among 15-19 year olds and has the 5th highest teen pregnancy rate.

  • Texas law does not require schools to provide sexuality education.  If it is taught, it must stress abstinence as the preferred behavior for unmarried persons.  Many classes teach that condoms and contraceptives are ineffective, if contraceptive instruction is even included in the curriculum.

  • In November 2003, the Texas State Board of Education adopted sex education textbooks that do not discuss contraceptives or condoms, except for their ineffectiveness, and only discuss remaining abstinent until marriage. The books do nothing to help sexually active teens comprehend and deal with the responsibility of adolescent sexual activity.  These textbooks will be used in Texas schools for 10 years.

"Just Say No" Doesn't Work

  • Every year in the U.S., almost 750,000 girls ages 15-19 become pregnant, and young people account for nearly half of the 18.9 million new sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases each year.  A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in March 2008 revealed 1 in 4 girls 15-19 years old has at least one STI.

  • According to a recent study commissioned by the U.S. Congress, abstinence-only programs have no effect in reducing teen sexual activity or number of partners.  On the other hand, research shows that medically-accurate, comprehensive sex education helps delay initiation of sex, reduces frequency of sex, and increases contraception and condom use.

  • The vast majority of American parents—82%—support comprehensive sex education that teaches about both abstinence and other methods of preventing STIs and pregnancy.

  • Every reputable sex education organization in the U.S., as well as prominent health organizations such as the American Medical Association, has denounced abstinence-only sexuality programs as ineffective.


Campaign Expiration Date:
November 30, 2009