ARGUS LEADER
Letters: Abstinence works every time
Showing posts with label abstinence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label abstinence. Show all posts
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sex Ed Editorial from Argus Leader
Editorial: Keep politics out of sex ed
Editorial Board
Argus Leader
Sex education bumps up against all kinds of uncomfortable topics, from abstinence to contraception to teen parenting.
Small wonder that it is a common source of friction between parents and school districts. It can become even murkier when state or federal governments get involved. Because the U.S. government offers money to pay for sex ed programs, the preference of whichever administration is in power often has a profound influence on which curriculums school boards choose.
It shouldn't. It's a good thing, then, that the Sioux Falls School Board has charted its own course through the years regardless of who's in power.
Read More
Editorial Board
Argus Leader
Sex education bumps up against all kinds of uncomfortable topics, from abstinence to contraception to teen parenting.
Small wonder that it is a common source of friction between parents and school districts. It can become even murkier when state or federal governments get involved. Because the U.S. government offers money to pay for sex ed programs, the preference of whichever administration is in power often has a profound influence on which curriculums school boards choose.
It shouldn't. It's a good thing, then, that the Sioux Falls School Board has charted its own course through the years regardless of who's in power.
Read More
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Great Piece in Argus Regarding Abstinence-Only Funding
Check out this great piece that was on Sunday's front page of the Argus Leader:
May 24, 2009
Abstinence-only focus loses favor, money
Sioux Falls-based organization unfazed by shift, but others say less federal funding curtails work
Josh Verges jverges@argusleader.com
EDGERTON, Minn. - For her final sex education lesson of the week, guest speaker Afton Johnson handed signs with phrases such as "trust," "similar dreams," and "in love" to 15 high school freshmen and asked them to line up in the proper order of a healthy relationship.After a couple minutes of shuffling, a boy stood at the far left of the classroom holding a card reading "high self-esteem." At the far right was a girl holding "sex," immediately preceded by another representing "marriage."For 13 years, that's been the order of things in federally funded sex education: Marriage is the norm and premarital sex is dangerous, according to abstinence-education guidelines established by Bill Clinton's Welfare Reform Act of 1996.
With continued support from George W. Bush, the federal government has spent almost $1.3 billion this decade on abstinence-only programs such as the one Johnson was teaching for a Sioux Falls-based program.But President Obama, relying on studies that show abstinence-only education is ineffective, now is proposing to change the message to one that promotes abstinence while also providing medically accurate information on contraception. That research includes two studies commissioned by Congress in recent years.
For South Dakota, where organizations focusing on abstinence-only education have thrived on millions of federal dollars in support of their mission, the shift could mean real changes in the way teens are taught about the birds and bees.And while Sioux Falls is home to a nationally prominent abstinence-advocacy organization, the group is not allowed in the city's public school classrooms.Obama's 2010 budget proposes to spend $178 million on teen pregnancy prevention. Between $75 million and $85 million would be spent on programs that have proved to delay sexual activity, increase use of contraceptives or reduce teen pregnancy.
Such comprehensive programs have been shown to delay sexual activity, reduce the number of sexual partners and increase contraceptive use. Most researchers agree abstinence-only programs have no effect on sexual activity.Up to $35 million would pay for "additional models and innovative strategies," which could include abstinence-only programs.
Read more
May 24, 2009
Abstinence-only focus loses favor, money
Sioux Falls-based organization unfazed by shift, but others say less federal funding curtails work
Josh Verges jverges@argusleader.com
EDGERTON, Minn. - For her final sex education lesson of the week, guest speaker Afton Johnson handed signs with phrases such as "trust," "similar dreams," and "in love" to 15 high school freshmen and asked them to line up in the proper order of a healthy relationship.After a couple minutes of shuffling, a boy stood at the far left of the classroom holding a card reading "high self-esteem." At the far right was a girl holding "sex," immediately preceded by another representing "marriage."For 13 years, that's been the order of things in federally funded sex education: Marriage is the norm and premarital sex is dangerous, according to abstinence-education guidelines established by Bill Clinton's Welfare Reform Act of 1996.
With continued support from George W. Bush, the federal government has spent almost $1.3 billion this decade on abstinence-only programs such as the one Johnson was teaching for a Sioux Falls-based program.But President Obama, relying on studies that show abstinence-only education is ineffective, now is proposing to change the message to one that promotes abstinence while also providing medically accurate information on contraception. That research includes two studies commissioned by Congress in recent years.
For South Dakota, where organizations focusing on abstinence-only education have thrived on millions of federal dollars in support of their mission, the shift could mean real changes in the way teens are taught about the birds and bees.And while Sioux Falls is home to a nationally prominent abstinence-advocacy organization, the group is not allowed in the city's public school classrooms.Obama's 2010 budget proposes to spend $178 million on teen pregnancy prevention. Between $75 million and $85 million would be spent on programs that have proved to delay sexual activity, increase use of contraceptives or reduce teen pregnancy.
Such comprehensive programs have been shown to delay sexual activity, reduce the number of sexual partners and increase contraceptive use. Most researchers agree abstinence-only programs have no effect on sexual activity.Up to $35 million would pay for "additional models and innovative strategies," which could include abstinence-only programs.
Read more
Friday, May 8, 2009
VICTORY for Comprehensive Sex Education!
PLANNED PARENTHOOD STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT OBAMA’S 2010 BUDGET
Ends Ineffective Abstinence-Only Programs,
Provides New Funding for Evidence-Based Comprehensive Sex Education
“President Obama’s budget makes clear that the government will no longer waste federal dollars on ineffective abstinence-only programs that fail to reduce the number of teen pregnancies and do nothing to keep teens healthy and safe,” said PPMNS President and CEO Sarah Stoesz.
“We applaud the administration for rejecting failed abstinence-only programs that have cost taxpayers more than 1 billion dollars. The administration’s investment in evidence-based sex ed programs proven to help prevent teen pregnancy is a common sense, effective solution that puts the health of young people first,” Stoesz said.
President Obama’s budget completely eliminates funding for the Community Based Abstinence Education (CBAE) program and the Title V Abstinence Education program for states, saving the federal government $149 million.
In addition, President Obama’s budget includes $178 million in new funding for evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs. Of that, $75 million is designated for “programs that replicate the elements of one or more teenage pregnancy prevention programs that have been proven through rigorous evaluation to delay sexual activity, increase contraceptive use (without increasing sexual activity), or reduce teenage pregnancy”; and $25 million is slated for research and development of new and innovative strategies for preventing teen pregnancy.
President Obama’s budget also provides a $10 million increase in the Title X program, the nation’s family planning program, for a total of $317 million. The Title X family planning program provides basic health care to more than five million women and families across the U.S. However, funding has not kept pace with inflation, and more than 17 million women are in need of publicly funded family planning services. President Obama’s budget also includes a provision to expand family planning under Medicaid, which would extend family planning coverage to millions more women.
Expanding family planning under Medicaid has been one of Planned Parenthood’s top priorities. Also known as the Medicaid Family Planning State Option, it would simply allow states to expand their Medicaid family planning services, including cancer screenings and other preventive care, to more women in need, without having to go through the burdensome Medicaid waiver process.
The Medicaid Family Planning State Option would have a significant impact on women’s health and is vital to expanding care to the millions of women who are losing their jobs and/or their health insurance in this economic downturn. According to the Congressional Budget Office, this provision would provide coverage to 2.3 million low-income women by 2014. A study by the Guttmacher Institute finds that this flexible option would help 500,000 women avoid unintended pregnancy.
“We commend the investment in women’s health and the commitment to make family planning and basic health care services, including lifesaving cancer screenings, more accessible and affordable to millions of low-income women and their families,” said Stoesz.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
In the News
DAKOTA WOMEN BLOG Sarah Palin's Selective Reality
RAPID CITY JOURNAL The fives: Hanks vs. Redden, Thune vs. Herseth Sandlin and the abortion ban's impact on elections
Referral is a healthy part of the process
I am a firm believer that during elections (and after for that matter)
children of politicians are off limits. So, I'm not going to poke fun of
Bristol Palin, her ex-boyfriend or her mother. But, I think that this is a
reminder to parents and teens to talk to one another. By having those
conversations both parties will end up enlightened, empowered, and more than
likely find themselves in a closer more honest relationship. I truly think
Sarah Palin could learn a lot by having a good heart to heart with her
daughter.
RAPID CITY JOURNAL The fives: Hanks vs. Redden, Thune vs. Herseth Sandlin and the abortion ban's impact on elections
Referral is a healthy part of the process
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
In the News
ARGUS LEADER
Sexually Spread Diseases up in SD
Ms. founder speaks in Sioux Falls. Steinem touches on state's failed abortion ban
MEDICAL NEWS TODAY
Post-Election Surveying Shows S.D. Voters Support Preventing Unintended Pregnancies Over Abortion Bans
POLITICS IN MINNESOTA
Planned Parenthood Learns From South Dakota's Abortion Conversation
MADVILLE TIMES
More work to do: End Abstinence-Only Sex Education
GREATER DAKOTA NEWS SERVICE
Post-Election Report Shows SD "Voter Fatigue" With Abortion Issue
RAPID CITY JOURNAL
Case is About Access to Public Information
Sexually Spread Diseases up in SD
Ms. founder speaks in Sioux Falls. Steinem touches on state's failed abortion ban
MEDICAL NEWS TODAY
Post-Election Surveying Shows S.D. Voters Support Preventing Unintended Pregnancies Over Abortion Bans
POLITICS IN MINNESOTA
Planned Parenthood Learns From South Dakota's Abortion Conversation
MADVILLE TIMES
More work to do: End Abstinence-Only Sex Education
GREATER DAKOTA NEWS SERVICE
Post-Election Report Shows SD "Voter Fatigue" With Abortion Issue
RAPID CITY JOURNAL
Case is About Access to Public Information
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
In the News
ARGUS LEADER
Projecting of Religious Beliefs
Overpopulation Disaster
ABERDEEN NEWS
Abstinence Only Policy has Unintended Consequences
DAKOTA VALUES BLOG
Ban will lead to lawsuit, Abortion South Dakota
Projecting of Religious Beliefs
Overpopulation Disaster
ABERDEEN NEWS
Abstinence Only Policy has Unintended Consequences
DAKOTA VALUES BLOG
Ban will lead to lawsuit, Abortion South Dakota
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