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.
October 1, 2008 Sexually Active Girls Get Depressed More Than Virgins Troubled Girls from Poor Neighborhoods More Likely To Have Sex in Early Adolescence Des Moines-Area Students Share No-Sex Plans HIV Inhibited by Herpes Drug in Patients Infected with Both Viruses Local Schools' Sex Ed Emphasizes Abstinence In Tangle of Young Lips, a Sex Rebellion in Chile Purity Rings Enter World of Sex, Drugs, Rock 'n' Roll 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. Daniels Fund Neighborhood Poverty and Early Transition to Sexual Activity in Young Adolescents: A Developmental Ecological Approach (2008) (fee for entire article) – The Child Development [Volume 79(5):1463-1476] study focuses on girls from poor neighborhoods who become sexually active. Researchers concluded that girls with a history of conduct problems were likely to have older, deviant male friends who resided in poor neighborhoods. Living in a disadvantaged neighborhood does not directly affect the timing of sexual initiation for boys, the study showed. The Under-Controlled Do It First: Childhood Personality and Sexual Debut (2008) (in press) (fee for entire article) – The Journal of Research in Nursing and Health study suggests that undercontrolled children are at greater risk for engaging in sexual activity before age 16 than their resilient or overcontrolled counterparts. The study found that undercontrolled and overcontrolled children tend to have problems with emotional control and social relationship, while resilient children tend to be socially adept and capable of regulating emotions effectively. The Peer Positive Program Look Before You Leap: Winner of Five 2008 Telly Awards! Sustainability Conference Call Part 2: Raising Funds from Corporations and Approaching Foundations for Grants Boys and Girls Learn Differently: The Science of Gender and Learning Web Cast Part 2 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 at least one State a month, looking at legislation, policy, and specific State features related to abstinence education. NORTH DAKOTA What’s Interesting at the State Level? State Law in North Dakota In North Dakota Health, Content and Achievement Standards: Grades K-12, grades 7 and 9 include benchmarks that address abstinence. Benchmarks are statements of knowledge and skills that define a standard at a given developmental level. In North Dakota, the students are asked to:
What’s Interesting at the Community Level? Make a Sound Choice (MSC) is a Positive Youth Development program in Fargo that encourages youth and young adults to avoid risk behaviors outside a committed marital relationship. MSC hosts a 2-day session each grant year for educators and counselors serving in schools and youth service facilities. The Third Abstinence Educator Training will be held October 6-7. Total Expression of the Authentic Me (T.E.A.M), a youth advisory board made up of youth and young adults from North Dakota, encourages teens to express their opinions on numerous issues including abstinence education, dating, marriage, the media, Internet, and legislative issues. Initial program results show positive impact on attitudes and behaviors of students, T.E.A.M. officials say. PENNSYLVANIA What’s Interesting at the State Level? State Law in Pennsylvania In the Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, grades 6 and 9 address sexual abstinence. What’s Interesting at the Community Level?
The Abstinence Advantage Program (AAP) provides education to thousands of students in the Erie County region, both public and private. AAP uses two curriculums in grades 6-9 and an interactive Web site for teens and parents to address questions concerning sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, and relationships. The AAP is part of the local Women’s Care Center. People for People, Inc. (PFP), located in Philadelphia, has developed an abstinence program in many local schools. The What Matters Mostprogram provides abstinence education in 38 middle/high schools and youth-serving organizations, and has reached 8,035 students from September 2007 to June 2008. A What Matters Most participant survey showed:
Quote of the Day "Even if I wasn't a Christian, I'd stay abstinent in high school. We're not ready emotionally." (Unnamed male student at Valley High School abstinence meeting, The Des Moines (IA) Register, September 18, 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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