ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH

House Passes Bill that Censors Critical Information about Contraception from American Teens

Congress Continues to Dump Taxpayer Money Into Sex Education Programs That Don't Work

WASHINGTON, DC (March 31, 2000) Citing the fact that each year in the U.S., 750,000 teens become pregnant and close to four million teens contract a sexually transmitted disease (STD), James Wagoner, President of Advocates for Youth, questions the Congressional allocation of $20 million in additional funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage education—education which research shows to be ineffective.

"Ignorance is nobody's ally in the era of AIDS. What Congress has to realize is that, by funding abstinence-only-until-marriage education, they are denying young people critical information about contraception that can protect their health and save their lives," said Wagoner. "This unrealistic policy is not only naïve and short-sighted, but irresponsible and dangerous," he concluded.

The emergency supplemental appropriations bill (H.R. 3908), which passed in the House yesterday in a 263—146 vote, included an amendment offered by Representative Istook (R-OK). The amendment provides for abstinence-only-until-marriage education that prohibits information about contraception, as defined in section 510(b)(2) of the Social Security Act.

This type of censorship is widely recognized as ineffective and often harmful. Studies by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization show that comprehensive sexuality education—education that 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.

That is why the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Nurses Association (ANA), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) all support comprehensive sexuality education. In fact, the AMA recently urged schools to "implement comprehensive, developmentally appropriate sexuality education programs" as part of an overall health education program.

"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.

Advocates for Youth is calling on policy makers to take a stand for America's teens and to support increased funding for realistic, balanced sexuality education that provides young people with information about both abstinence and contraception. "This type of sexuality education is the very foundation of what works in teen pregnancy, HIV and STD prevention. The research is clear. It's not either abstinence or contraception—young people need both," said Wagoner.

Advocates for Youth 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.

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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.

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