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

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.

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

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

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 Utilize demographic, epidemiological and social science research to identify populations at risk of early pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted infections Utilize health behavior or health education theory to guide the selection of risk and protective factors and selection of intervention activities

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

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

Latino/Hispanic Values The taboo against teen pregnancy is not strong in many Hispanic communities Hispanic girls who become pregnant are less likely to have an abortion Lower abortion rate is related to the large number of Roman Catholics among the nation's Hispanics Two-thirds of Latino teens are the children of immigrants Varying levels of acculturation for children of immigrants and their parents need to be addressed Family and children are a blessing in many Latino cultures Hispanics are a diverse group and this diversity extends to the family unit.

The Web of Oppression Title X at risk to lose funding with proposed budget cuts Title X at risk to lose funding with proposed budget cuts – Sexism/Racism: 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

Movements Civil Liberties & Public Policy program (CLPP). Hampshire College T eens 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)

The Prevention First Act (2008) – Would give funding priority to at-risk teen populations with higher than average rates of teen pregnancy. Would also give states the flexibility to implement different type of sexual education Title X Family – Funds used for physical exams, laboratory tests, counseling and education and contraception but they cannot be used for abortion

Programs Making A CHANGE Street Smart is an HIV and STD prevention program for runaway and homeless youth in non- school settings. Enabl (Education now babies later) provides state matching funds to local and community organizations that target at risk youth, including foster youth. California county-based independent living program provide pregnancy prevention to youth up to age 20 for foster care children.

Latino/a Based Programs Plain Talk/Hablando –community based initiative focusing on increasing conversation between parents/community adults (walkers and talkers) and teens. That Latina/o Pregnancy Prevention Workshop – Created to address the knowledge and research gap surrounding disparity in teen pregnancy rates

Recommendations “From solving youth problems to problem solving youth” -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.