ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH

New Study Examines the High Costs to Taxpayers of Teen Pregnancy and the Failure to Invest in Prevention

Congress Allocates Millions of Dollars to Sex Education Programs That Don't Work

WASHINGTON, DC (January 19, 2000) A new study, released today by Advocates for Youth, finds that the federal government spends significantly less money—275 times less—on teen pregnancy prevention than on support and services to families begun by a birth to a teen.

" Every year, almost a million teens become pregnant and half a million give birth. Yet, the federal government invests only 52 cents per capita to prevent our nations young people from becoming parents too soon. The health and well-being of our young people is worth more than that," said James Wagoner, President of Advocates for Youth.

The federal government spends approximately $38 billion a year to help support families that began with a birth to a teen and invests only $138 million a year in preventing teen pregnancy. "Of the few taxpayer dollars that go toward prevention, there is a current disturbing trend of funding sexuality education programs that don't work," said Wagoner.

Studies by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization show that comprehensive sexuality education—which teaches about both abstinence and contraception—is the most effective sex education for young people. Those who receive this kind of education are more likely to begin having sex later in life and to use protection correctly and consistently when they do become sexually active.

" Despite expert findings, this Congress continues to dump taxpayer money into sexuality education programs that censor vital information about contraception—information necessary to help teens avoid unintended pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases," said Wagoner. "Ignorance is nobody's ally in the era of AIDS. What we have to realize in the U.S. is that denying young people critical information about contraception is not only naïve and short-sighted, but irresponsible and dangerous," he concluded.

Advocates for Youth is calling on policy makers to put politics aside and increase funding for realistic, balanced sexuality education that provides young people with information about both abstinence and contraception. "The research is clear. Its not either/or—they need both," said Wagoner.

Advocates for Youth has calculated the cost of too early child bearing to this nation each year since 1986. Advocates is a national, nonprofit organization that creates programs and supports policies that help young people make safe, responsible decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

###

Note to Editors and Producers: For more information or to set up an interview with adolescent sexuality experts, please contact Bill Barker at (202) 419-3420.

RETURN TO INDEX OF PRESS RELEASES >>