'REAL' Sex Education for America's Youth

The re-introduction of the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act represents both a beginning and an end. A beginning, because REAL will bring science and common sense back into public health policy. After eight long years of ideology trumping science under the Bush Administration, the REAL Act, when signed into law, will bring honest sex education back into our nation’s schools. A beginning, because REAL will finally give parents what they want and young people what they need - - medically, accurate, effective sexual health programs in our schools and local communities.

And the re-introduction of the REAL Act also represents an end - - a final chapter to the ineffective and harmful abstinence-only-until-marriage era in this country. The re-introduction of the REAL Act also marks an end to the shameful waste of taxpayer money that these programs represented.

Ten years and more than $1.5 billion dollars later, enough is enough. The overriding consensus among mainstream medical and public health organizations, parents, and young people themselves sends a clear and unambiguous message. They want the health and well-being of young people in this country to be a central focus of this Congress and this Administration. They expect action. And with new leadership in the White House and the Congress, we know that action is exactly what will happen.

The era of funding bad programs based on nothing but ideology is over. Science-based programs that work are now the order of the day.

The REAL Act recognizes the right of young people to honest, accurate information, it shows respect for young people as individuals capable of making good decisions when provided with all the tools, and it stresses the responsibility of adults to provide those tools and for young people to use them.

It’s time to get REAL and realize we can’t censor information from young people in an era where HIV rates are still going up. The REAL Act - - which provides for age-appropriate, honest sex education - - is a step in the right direction.

I would like to thank Senator Lautenberg and Representative Lee not just for their leadership in introducing this landmark legislation, but also for their faith in young people - - for their belief that young people can take responsibility for important life decisions when they are provided with all the education, information, and support that they need.

We urge the swift passage of the REAL Act. And we promise to do everything in our power to ensure that passage.

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.