Toward a Sexually Healthy America: Roadblocks Imposed by the Federal Government's Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Education Program

Abstract:
This report highlights the disconnect between the government's emphasis on abstinence-only-until marriage education, and the research that supports comprehensive sexuality education. The US Office of Population Affairs began administering the Adolescent Family Life Act in 1981 to promote chastity and self-discipline to prevent teen pregnancy. In 1996, the federal government established an entitlement program for abstinence only until marriage education within the welfare reform law. $50 million per year for five years is given to the states to use for education programs that adhere to a strict eight-point definition that includes abstinence only messages. The report dissects this and other abstinence only until marriage programs, highlighting the differences between educational programs that can be funded by these earmarked provisions and comprehensive sexuality education programs. Also included are research findings, popular opinion reports on what many Americans feel should be taught, and National and Professional organizations that promote comprehensive sexuality education programs. The piece concludes with advice for advocates who feel abstinence only until marriage programs are not right for their community.


Date Published: 6/1/2001

Pages: 36

Comments:
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Location Code: 6420