Causecast

by CLAIRE GRINTON, Contributing Writer

In May, President Obama cut the Title V grant program and all funding for abstinence-only sex education, but the fight for comprehensive sex education isn’t over yet.

Last month, the Senate Finance Committee accepted an amendment to the health care reform bill sponsored by Senator Orrin Hatch that added $50 million in funding for abstinence-only sex education. The ever-important bill is under high levels of scrutiny, but the addition of this amendment brings to light the fact that comprehensive sex education is still a matter that our officials and communities are struggling with.

As abstinence-only education grew through the 90’s and the early 2000’s to reach about one-third of high school students in the U.S., research was showing that the initial age of sexual activity did not go up, nor did the cases of STDs and teen pregnancy go down. Further, two major reviews of abstinence-only curriculum found that they often had striking inaccuracies, including claims that condoms would give you cancer, or that STDs are a guaranteed consequence to having sex at or before 14.

On the flip side, a study of 48 comprehensive programs found that two-thirds of the programs either reduced frequency of sexual activity or number of sexual partners. Considering the opportunities available with health care reform on the table, now is the time to support the programs that are truly working.

• Amplify Your Voice has some great suggestions for how you can get involved, including signing the petition to advocate steady funding for the REAL Act, which will provide youth with comprehensive sexuality education. Other considerations specifically for students include writing an OpEd piece for your school newspaper, or getting in touch with your campus radio station to set up an interview to share your viewpoints and help other students get involved.

• October 28 was National Comprehensive Sex Education Call-In Day, but if you missed it, you can still let Congress know you do not support the Hatch amendment by calling your state senators and asking to speak with their health aide. Be sure to be prepared with some talking points.

• Write to your local school district and make your case for comprehensive sex education if they are still following abstinence-only curriculum.

• Take to your blog and share with others the positive results of comprehensive sex education curriculum. Encourage others to share what they learn, and let them know how they can help as well.

Photo by aaron anderer, flickr.