Obama Devotes $114 Million to Sex Ed That Works

by Alex DiBranco · 2010-06-08 16:48:00 UTC
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After years of abstinence-only has demonstrated that just telling kids not to have sex doesn't keep them from getting down, the Obama administration is opting for the brilliant tactic of pursing an "evidence-based approach." What, pray tell, don't this mean? Well, it means that $114 million in this year's federal budget will go to programs that can provide evidence that they actually work to decrease the number of candidates for 16 and Pregnant.

NPR takes a look at one such "evidence-based approach" to decreasing the rate of teen pregnancy. Michael Carrera's government funding-approved comprehensive approach starts appropriate sex ed at a young age, recognizing that if you wait to long, it's already too late for many young people, and it's harder to influence their behavior. His program works to dispel gender myths, teaches youth about the challenges of teen pregnancy (because, disturbingly, not all such pregnancies are unplanned), and exposure to creative extracurricular activities that have been demonstrated to delay students' sexual debut.

With prevalent myths flying around like that sex standing up reduces your chance of getting pregnant, or that "double-bagging" condoms increases their effectiveness, young people could really use some comprehensive sex ed. (And these aren't even the most dangerous ones — let's not even discuss the youth who believe that believe drinking bleach prevents AIDS and Mountain Dew can stop pregnancy.) And, really, who can object to taking an evidence-based approach to sex ed? If telling youth "just don't have sex" on repeat is nothing but a waste of taxpayers dollars, abstinence-only education isn't accomplishing what anyone wants.

Photo credit: telofilo

Alex DiBranco is a Change.org Editor who has worked for the Nation, Political Research Associates, and the Center for American Progress. She is now based in New York City.
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