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.
Teen Pregnancy Rate Hits 15-Year High Youth Alive Light a Candle for Abstinence Throwing Their Wait Around Opinion Piece Supports Abstinence Education Some Teens Play the Waiting Game on Sex Almost Half of Women Interviewed In New Study Have Negative Feelings About 1-Night Stands Arizona, Iowa To Turn Down Abstinence Education Funding What the Dating Rules You Set For Your Kids Say About You Youth Needs a Key Message of Abstinence 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. The Morning after the Night Before (2008) (full text available for a fee) – This study in Human Nature [Volume 19 (2): 157-173] showed that a 1-night stand prompted more negative feelings among women than men. Of 1,173 polled, 58 percent of women and 23 percent of men indicated some regret and said they would not repeat the experience. The women said they felt used and had a strong sense of rejection and regret. Men said they felt isolated and had little or no emotional connection with the women in which they had the one-night stand. Living Without a Strong Father Figure: A Context for Teen Mothers' Experience of Having Become Sexually Active (2008) (full text available for a fee) – The author of this article in Issues in Mental Health Nursing [Volume 29 (3): 279-297] examined the lives of 10 teen mothers who suggested that living without a strong father figure contributed to their being sexually active. Boys Will Be Boys and Girls Better Be Prepared: An Analysis of the Rare Sexual Health Messages in Young Adolescents' Media (2008) (full text available for a fee) – In this Mass Communication and Society [Volume 11(1): 3–23] study, researchers found that adolescents are given a largely inaccurate portrayal of sexual health issues in the mass media. The study analyzed four types of media (television, magazines, music, and movies) popular among 3,261 adolescents (12-14 years old) and found that less than half a percent of the content included accurate information about sexually healthy behavior. The media were ambiguous, inaccurate, or reinforced traditional gender stereotypes, among them: males seek sex and females are responsible for protecting against pregnancy. Mommy's Little Angel, Daddy's Little Girl: Do You Know What Your Pre-Teens Are Doing? (2006) (full text available for a fee) – The authors of this article, published in the American Journal of Family Therapy [Volume 34 (5): 447-467], examined the sex lives of girls aged 8 to 13 as they reported them in Internet chat rooms. Reports of 1,300 preteen girls over a 5-year period showed that some girls were well versed in sexual terms and behaviors. In some instances, girls said they freely engaged in sex with their boyfriends or were forced into having sex by an older male or relative. An overwhelming number of girls reported that they chatted regularly about sex each day but their parents were unaware of the conversations. The study suggests these girls may be at risk for pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, and possible psychological problems. Tips for Selecting, Developing, or Adapting an Abstinence Education Curriculum (2008) - The most recent Fact Sheet from the National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth, provides guidance on ways providers can identify, create, or adapt a curriculum that fits best with their program’s unique circumstances. Healthy Marriage and the Legacy of Child Maltreatment: A Child Welfare Perspective (2008) (PDF, 96K) – The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) briefexplores the barriers to a healthy marriage, among them child mistreatment and involvement with the child welfare system. Cohabitation, Marriage and Child Wellbeing: A Cross-National Perspective (2008) – The Rutgers University National Marriage Project reviews trends in cohabitation and the resulting consequences in several countries. The study examines differing national responses to the issue, including laws and public policies. The report also examines the potential negative impact of cohabitation and single-parent families on child wellbeing. Funding Sources for Abstinence Education Programs - The National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth have developed a list of potential funding sources which have either funded abstinence education programs in the past or have expressed a willingness to consider abstinence education grant proposals in the future. Promoting Safety Together: Domestic Violence and Healthy Marriage Programs Seminar 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. NEW JERSEY What’s Interesting in the State of New Jersey State Law in New Jersey New Jersey’s family life and HIV/AIDS curriculum instruction must include the reasons, skills, and strategies for remaining or becoming abstinent from sexual activity. Any instruction concerning the use of contraceptives or prophylactics such as condoms must also include information on failure rates for preventing pregnancy, HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases among adolescent populations. The New Jersey Comprehensive Health Education and Physical Education Curriculum, Standard 2.4: Human Sexuality and Family Life, includes numerous classroom activities and strategies pertaining to abstinence. What’s Unique in the State of New Jersey NEW MEXICO What’s Interesting in the State of New Mexico State Law in New Mexico The instructional program includes, but is not limited to:
In New Mexico’s Administrative Code 6.30.2.19, grades 5 through12 identify alternatives to health risk behaviors in areas related to sexuality; nutrition; alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use; physical activity; personal safety; mental; social and emotional wellbeing (i.e. abstinence, condom use, other pregnancy prevention methods; selection of healthy food choices, “natural highs”, etc.). In grades 5 through 8, students identify and explain health messages from media and other sources in the areas related to sexuality (i.e., abstinence vs. teenage sex). What’s Unique in the State of New Mexico During the winter, youth gather at the State capitol and are trained on the legislative process and speak with elected officials about their life choices. Youth in the Limelight, is a spring retreat where youth meet with a professional production company and star in the media messages for the coming year. In the summer, the kids attend the National STARS conference. The Healthy Family Initiative has shown steady growth and has added 2 new sites this year and produced 2 commercials in English and Spanish. Quote of the Day "I think we can help more young people to wait to have sex. It's doable and possible. It's a strong message that we should give." (Dr. Janet Realini, medical adviser to a San Antonio teen pregnancy prevention program, The Ranger (TX), June 30, 2008) |
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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