The Abstinence Education E-Update is a free information service of the Division of Abstinence Education of the HHS/ACF Family and Youth Services Bureau, provided by the National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth. Contact NCFY at (301) 608-8098 or ncfy@acf.hhs.gov. If you're having trouble viewing this e-mail, please click here to view a version of it on the Web.
Miss Virginia Encourages Abstinence U.S. Campaign To Promote Abstinence Begins Is Abstinence-based Education Working in Carroll? Promises of ‘Purity’ Should Be to Self, Not Parents This Father's Day, Cheer Responsibility Tough Teaching All Around Despite Easily Available Birth Control, Almost Half of U.S. Pregnancies Are "Accidents" Letter to the Editor: The Abstinence Pledge Sex-ed Class Designed for Parents, Too Only Abstinence Until Marriage Offers a Real Guarantee of Safe Sex A Debunking on Teenagers and 'Technical Virginity' AIDS Pandemic Marks Quarter Century The National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth maintains a listing of organizations identified as potential funding sources for abstinence education programs. The listing includes grant descriptions and contact information. American Legion Child Welfare Foundation Sexual Uses of Alcohol and Drugs and the Associated Health Risks: A Cross Sectional Study of Young People in Nine European Cities (2008) – In this BioMed Central Journal [Volume 8(1):155] study, researchers found that teenagers and young adults used alcohol and drugs as part of a calculated effort to have sex. While alcohol was used to enhance conditions for a sexual encounter, cocaine and marijuana were used to generate arousal. Being drunk and taking drugs tended to increase risk-taking behavior, and participants said they regretted having sex under those circumstances. Noncoital Sexual Activities among Adolescents (2008) -- In an upcoming Journal of Adolescent Health study [article in press], researchers concluded that oral and anal sex were much more common among adolescents who had intercourse compared to virgins. Adolescents who engaged in sex were almost four times as likely as virgins to have oral sex. Virgin teens were equally likely to give or receive oral sex and usually had only one sexual partner in their lifetime, the researchers said. The authors concluded that educational instruction and counseling should take into account the STI risk involved in oral and anal sex. A Developmental Perspective on Alcohol and Youths 16 to 20 Years of Age (2008) – In a Pediatrics [Volume 121 (4): S290-S310] study, researchers found evidence linking alcohol abuse in late adolescence with neurological damage and social impairment. The researchers said there was strong evidence that alcohol use among adolescents prompted blackouts, accidents, and “unplanned” sexual behavior. Understanding Failure of Condom Use Intention Among Adolescents (2007) (fee for entire article) – In this Journal of Adolescent Research [Volume 22(3):248-274] study, researchers found that inner-city adolescents had sex without condoms despite taking part in an intense safe-sex program. Adolescents cited a variety of reasons for not using condoms, among them using drugs or alcohol, feeling that they didn’t need condoms, or believing that using condoms would be seen as an admission of cheating in a monogamous relationship. The Effects of Religion and Gender on the Well-Being, Substance Abuse, and Academic Engagement Among Rural Adolescents (2008) (fee for entire article) – The study in Youth and Society [in press], shows that an adolescent’s religious experiences and views about faith play an important role in the development of healthy attitudes and behaviors. Adolescents who practice religion enjoy school, value learning, and report high academic expectations. They also report the lowest level of substance abuse, truancy, and suspension, the authors said. Binge Drinking and Associated Health Risk Behaviors among High School Students (2007) – The report in Pediatrics [Volume 119 (1): 76-85], found binge-drinking among high school students increased with age and grade level. Students who were binge drinkers – consuming five or more drinks on one occasion – reported poor school performance and had other health risk behaviors compared to those who were nondrinkers or who drank moderately. The health risk behaviors included attempting suicide, being a victim of dating violence, using illicit drugs, smoking cigarettes or cigars, driving under the influence, or being sexually active. Adolescents’ Reported Consequences of Having Oral Sex Versus Vaginal Sex (2007) – In this study in Pediatrics [Volume 119 (2): 229-236], researchers found differing consequences for boys and girls having intercourse or oral sex. Boys and girls who engaged in oral sex were less likely to become infected, feel guilty or used, or get in trouble with their parents. Boys were more likely to feel good about themselves and girls were more likely to feel used following intercourse. Promising Practices for Providing Abstinence Education to High-Risk Youth KIDS COUNT Data Book Abstinence Education Grantees Regional Training for Regions 1-4 Utilizing Web 2.0: MySpace Best Practices for Nonprofit Organizations Web Cast [Part Two] White House Faith-Based and Community Initiatives’ Innovations in Effective Compassion Conference Achieving Excellence in Abstinence Education Evaluation Conference (PDF, 704KB) The Abstinence Education E-Update Spotlight has highlighted various topics, from new Federal staff to effective State programs. Now, NCFY will highlight two States a month, looking at each State’s legislation, policy, and specific State features related to abstinence education. MONTANA What’s Interesting in the State of Montana State Law in Montana What’s Unique in the State of Montana? NEBRASKA What’s Interesting in the State of Nebraska The State currently has two CBAE grantees. What’s Unique in the State of Nebraska Quote of the Day “If teens choose to have sex before they’re ready — and that means grown up, in a committed relationship, and ready to take on the responsibility of a family — they’re not going to have the life they were meant to have. If a teenager is busy with school, athletics, a part-time job, volunteering, and other worthwhile activities, there’s less time for sex. Boredom and hopelessness lead to poor choices.” (Miss Virginia, Hannah Kiefer, in the Martinsville (VA) Bulletin, June 2, 2008)
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The Abstinence Education E-Update comprises links to Web sites with information on current events, research, funding opportunities, and other items related to abstinence-until-marriage education. Inclusion of this information does not imply endorsement by the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), or the National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth (NCFY). Moreover, the points of view or opinions expressed on these Web sites do not necessarily represent the official position, policies, or views of FYSB, HHS, or NCFY.
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