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.
August 29, 2008 Survey Says: Teen Sex on the Decline Among Girls Parents: Five Reasons To Have "the Talk" Before School Begins 7 Reasons To Worry as Your Kids Head Back to School Sex (Education) and the City Students Trying Alcohol, Sex Earlier Surprise! Virginity Pledges Effective: Study 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. Comparing the Efficacy of Permanent Classroom Teachers to Temporary Health Educators for Pregnancy/HIV Prevention Instruction (2008) – In a Health Promotion Practice [in press] study, researchers found that regular classroom HIV/pregnancy prevention instruction may positively impact student learning in health education. Beneficial effects may be attributed to the longstanding relationship between students and their permanent classroom teachers. The Morning After the Night Before: Affective Reactions to One-Night Stands Among Mated and Unmated Women and Men (2008) (full text available for a fee) -- Human Nature [Volume 19(2): 157-173] reports that men and women differed in their feelings following one-night stands, with women generally reacting negatively and men positively. The women’s reactions included feeling regretful, horrified, and degraded. Men reported feelings of success. Parental Cohabitation Experiences and Adolescent Behavioral Outcomes (2008) (full text available for a fee) -- The Population Research and Policy Review [Volume 27 (5):593–618] study examined how children’s experience in a cohabiting-parent family influences adolescent behavior. Results indicate children who spend time living with cohabiting parents have a higher probability of having sex by age 18 and dropping out of high school than children who grew up with two married biological parents. Should We Live Together? What Young Adults Need To Know about Cohabitation Before Marriage
Tips for Navigating the Abstinence Education Grantee Web Site A Generation Under Stress Child and Youth Well-Being Index Report Trends in HIV- and STD-Related Risk Behaviors Among High School Students, 1991-2007 The Truth About Your Reproductive Health Web Cast Quinceañera Celebration: Preserving the Rite of Passage Web Cast Teen Online Social Networking Web Cast National Abstinence Education Grantees Conference 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. OREGON What’s Interesting in the State of Oregon Students Today Aren’t Ready for Sex (STARS) program, developed by the Multnomah County Health Department, offers statewide training to high school leaders to help middle schoolers learn how to say no to sexual involvement. The program includes an average of 5 hours of instruction about skill-building, decisionmaking, and the importance of healthy relationships. STARS offers culturally appropriate outreach to the Latino and African American communities and develops and implements parent/adult education sessions to enhance communication between adolescents and their parents. There are two CBAE grantees in the State. State Law in Oregon The State Board of Education’s Administrative Rules 581-022-1440 requires each school district to teach an age-appropriate, comprehensive plan of instruction focusing on human sexuality education, HIV/AIDS, and sexually transmitted disease prevention in elementary and secondary schools. Course material must enhance students' understanding of sexuality as a normal and healthy aspect of human development. Instruction must also promote abstinence for school-age youth as the safest and mostly responsible sexual behavior to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy and exposure to HIV, Hepatitis B/C, and other sexually transmitted diseases. What’s Unique in the State of Oregon
Quote of the Day "Whether we’re talking about sexual intercourse or substance use, one thing is clear: the earlier youths engage in the behavior, the better chance they have of experiencing long-term negative impacts in their lives." (Heath Harmon, epidemiologist for Boulder County Public Health, Daily Camera (CO), August 19, 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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