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June 2005
Advocates for Youth's Youth Activist Network Newsletter
School's out for the summer, but Advocates for Youth's work is still going strong! Check out what's happening at Advocates.
The Flat Earth Society Persists
Conservative Ideologues Promoting the Virtues of an Abstinence-only/No Contraception Approach to Education
On Monday, June 13, 2005, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration for Children and Families sponsored what Advocates' President, James Wagoner, called "a meeting of the Flat Earth Society." The Eighth Annual Welfare Research and Evaluation Conference included presentations by ultra conservative ideologues, such as Kirk Johnson, Robert Rector, Stan Weed, and Robert Lerner, once again promoting the virtues of an abstinence-only/no contraception approach to education.
Kirk Johnson and Robert Rector attempted to call into question recent findings published in the Journal of Adolescent Health by Dr. Hannah Brückner (Yale University) and Dr. Peter Bearman (Columbia University) regarding virginity pledges and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). While admitting that among sexually experienced youth, 88 percent of youth who took a virginity pledge had sex before marriage, Mr. Rector complained that Bearman and Brückner used the wrong methodology to assess STD infections. To read the doctors' response, visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/news/talkingpoints/virginitypledges.htm
Also released, was the long overdue, government-sponsored report by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. Mathematica won the contract to evaluate the impact of selected, federally funded, abstinence-only programs. This report, based on the study's second wave of data, did not measure behavior change, focusing only on attitudes and intentions. Its findings were similar to other evaluations of abstinence-only programs in that Mathematica was unable to show that any program had an impact on young people's intention to remain abstinent. For more information, visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/news/press/061405.htm
Robert Lerner presented an "evaluation" of Best Friends that only showed that young people who choose to join an abstinence support group are more abstinent than those who don't choose to join. This finding is due to young people self-selecting to participate, not the quality of the program. For a critique of Robert Lerner's paper, visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/news/talkingpoints/bestfriends.htm
Stop Government Censorship in Hollywood
Take Positive Action for Responsible Television (Take P.A.R.T.) to support accurate sexual health information and positive images on television.
Government intimidation of Hollywood has made many networks nervous about providing sexual health information and storylines in their programming. Some have begun to censor themselves—concerned about the ambiguity of FCC regulations and fearful of the tactics of an administration intent on promoting ignorance to keep young people from engaging in sex before marriage. But, many in Hollywood have had the courage to take a stand!
This month The Media Project and Advocates for Youth recognize Jack & Bobby and Eve for their honest, accurate depictions of adolescent sexual health on TV. Write to the broadcasters and the FCC to express your support of accurate sexual health information on television. Tell these shows you support and applaud their efforts!
- Jack & Bobby's "A Child of God" accurately depicted the challenges facing most pregnant teens today in the United States. This alert is no longer active.
- Eve's "Testing, Testing HIV" showed the importance of getting tested for HIV before starting a sexual relationship. This alert is no longer active.
How Can I Talk About ...? The Benefits of Condoms
Advocates for Youth recognizes a need for useful information to help colleagues talk about important issues playing out in the media each and every day. These analyses and talking points provide helpful facts and context relating to adolescent sexual health issues currently in the news.
This month Advocates focuses on the continued attempts by ideologues to undermine condom use among sexually active youth. Condoms provide by far the best protection for the sexually active, and are highly effective at preventing pregnancy and many sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Read Advocates' analysis and talking points related to the benefits of condoms online at http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/news/talkingpoints/condoms.htm
Do You Live in the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Area?
Advocates Is Recruiting Members for Its International Youth Leadership Council
Advocates for Youth sponsors a project called the International Youth Leadership Council, which is designed to develop youth leaders in the areas of international family planning and global HIV/AIDS. Council members have come from Africa, Latin America, Asia and the United States and attend colleges or universities full-time in the United States. Council members serve as youth educators, advocates, and spokespeople on the issue of adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
Members of the International Youth Leadership Council should: be enrolled part-time or full-time in a U.S. college or university in the Washington DC/Metro area; support the mission of Advocates for Youth; and be willing to commit at least 20 hours a month to Council activities.
For more information or to apply, visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/about/employment.htm#iylc
YouthResource Is Looking for Peer Educators!
YouthResource, a project of Advocates for Youth, is a Web site created by and for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (GLBTQ) young people. The site takes a holistic approach to sexual health by offering support, community, resources, and peer-to-peer education about issues of concern to GLBTQ young people.
YouthResource's peer education program is made up of young adults who are eager and willing to answer questions from other GLBTQ youth. Questions can range on anything from when is a good time to come out to how to prevent the contraction of STIs, including HIV. YouthResource is currently looking for GLBTQ youth (13 to 22) who are interested in volunteering as online peer educators on issues of sexuality and sexual health for the 2005-2006 academic year. Training is provided to those accepted as peer educators.
For more information or to request an application, e-mail will@advocatesforyouth.org
You can help Advocates for Youth with a contribution today. To donate, visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/about/donatetoday.htm
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