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 News and Commentary Stronger Families keeps a close eye on local and national media, scanning the headlines for articles, interviews, and reports that deal with family issues. When we find something of particular interest, we try to reproduce it here, in part or in full. Our goal is to provide our visitors with the broadest, most complete resource on family related literature on the web. In The News Palmetto Family Council Gets $3 Million Abstinence Grant WCIV.com October 20, 2008 SOUTH CAROLINA---The Palmetto Family Council, South Carolina's FPC, has received a $3 million dollar grant to promote abstinence education in South Carolina. They will use the grant to promote abstinence clubs and promote abstinence until marriage on MySpace, Facebook, and other social sites. The grant is good for 5 years. Lincoln County School Board Talks Abstinence By Gwyneth Gibley, Lincoln City News Guard October 17, 2008 LINCOLN COUNTY, Ore---Last week, residents in Lincoln County attended the meeting of the Lincoln County School Board to discuss allowing the distribution of contraceptives in school based health centers. Currently, health centers provide prescriptions for contraceptives. 19 spoke in favor, 14 were opposed. Parents can opt-out of school based clinics; however, due to state law, if children request contraceptives, staff cannot turn them away; even if they don't have parental consent. Her Story of Celibacy By Sonja Poulton, Daily Mail, Op-Ed October 15, 2008 ENGLAND---Poulton is a single mom with an 11 year old daughter. 8 years ago, she decided to choose celibacy. She notes her decision has made her less insecure in her relationships with men, she finds a deeper level of companionship, is happier, and free from the fear of STIs. Congress Renews Federal Funding for Abstinence Education By Thaddeus M. Baklinski, LifeSiteNews.com October 7, 2008 WASHINGTON, D.C.---Congress has extended funding for the Community Based Abstinence Education (CBAE) program through 2009. CBAE programs promote abstinence until marriage. Abstinence Speaker Won't Mention Abstinence By Terri Pederson, Daily Citizen October 10, 2008 WISCONSIN---When Mike Long, a national leader on abstinence education, speaks to students, he does not mention the word abstinence. Instead, Pederson notes he confronts the wrong messages about sex found in peer pressure and mass culture; teaches kids how to make the best decision for their future; and encourages kids to save sex for marriage, and to remain faithful once married. Abstinence Education Up For Vote By Meg Heckman, Concord Monitor September 30, 2008 NEW HAMPSHIRE---State leaders will decide whether to accept federal funding for the abstinence education program "Wait Training." Organizers of the program note that they have not had any opposition and their program is well received among participants. Planned Parenthood says the funding should be rejected because the rules surrounding the funding are too strict. Schools can teach both abstinence only and contraceptive sex education. PA Gov. To Ask for Federal Abstinence Education Funds Medical News Today August 29, 2008 PENNSYLVANIA---PA Gov. Ed Rendell [D] plans to ask for federal funding to benefit abstinence only education programs in his state. He is asking for the money because he does not want to prevent schools from teaching abstinence-only education. Canada Sees Increase in Teen Abstinence Among Girls One News Now August 23, 2008 CANADA---In 1996, 51% of teen women reported having sexual intercourse, in 2005, the number had decreased to 43%. Teen male numbers remained the same at 43%. The report does not share the reason for the decrease. Planned Parenthood's Controversial Sex Ed Site KATU News August 11, 2008 A new website by Planned Parenthood, "Take Care Down There," features video clips with teens discussing sexual topics such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or the human papillomavirus, in frank terms using humor and slang. The goal of the website is to educate against STIs and unplanned pregnancy. Unfortunately, the website does not present abstinence as a genuine choice. Congress Passes PEPFAR Funding Without Abstinence Requirement By John Jalsevac, Lifesite News.com July 29, 2008 WASHINGTON D.C.---Both the House and Senate passed 48 million dollars in funding for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The funding helps fight AIDS internationally. This new legislation removes previous requirement that 1/3 of the 20% of the funding for AIDS prevention go to abstinence only education. $48 Billion AIDS Bill Reaches President's Desk By Amy Fagan, The Washington Times July 26, 2008 WASHINGTON D.C.---Legislators approved a bill that would provide $48 billion in funding over the next five years to fight AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis around the world. Instead of giving part of the funding to abstinence only programs, the bill states that the programs must give a balance of abstinence, delay of sexual debut and monogamy information. Teen Pregnancy Hollywood Style By Sarah Kliff, Newsweek July 23, 2008 In light of the recent birth 17 year old Jamie Lynn Spears' daughter, Kliff outlines that often Hollywood skirts over the true consequences of teen pregnancy. The article laments that many movies, or shows don't promote condom or contraceptive use. Unfortunately, no one cited in the article ever mention the importance of abstinence until marriage. CDC Says Safety Concerns Over HPV Vaccine Unfounded Medical News Today June 10, 2008 The Center for Disease Control (CDC) said the vaccine against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is safe. Over 5,000 reports of serious adverse effects to the vaccine have been reported. The CDC said that other than fainting, none of the side effects are connected. Some states are considering mandating that all school age girls receive the vaccine. Let My People Go, AIDS Profiteers By Sam L. Ruteikara, The Washington Times, Op-Ed June 30, 2008 UGANDA---The Rev. Sam. Ruteikara outlines the success of the ABC approach (abstinence, be faithful, use condoms) in reducing the rate of HIV and AIDS. He notes how many foreign advisors have removed the abstinence, and be faithful message, and focused solely on condom use. Ruteikara notes this is not effective. One in Four New Yorkers Has Genital Herpes Yahoo.com June 10, 2008 NEW YORK---According to statistics by the New York Department of Health, one in four adults in New York has genital herpes. 36% of women have the disease, while 19% of men have it. The article notes that using condoms consistently will help in the prevention of the STD. However, they are less effective, because they often do not cover the entire infected area. Decline in Teen Sex Levels Off, Survey Shows By Rob Stein, Washington Post June 5, 2008 A recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that teen sexuality and the rise of condom use has leveled off since 2001. Some blame abstinence education, others blame comprehensive sex education for not teaching healthy relationships, and others site cultural messages that emphasize sex. US Campaign to Promote Abstinence Begins By Rob Stein, Washington Post June 1, 2008 The National Abstinence Education Association is promoting Parents for Truth. Parents for Truth is a national campaign to inform parents on what comprehensive sex education entails and to encourage them to lobby local schools to offer abstinence education. Senate Includes Birth Control Discounts in War Funding Bill Medical News Today May 26, 2008 WASHINGTON D.C.---A provision was included in the war funding bill to restore discounts given to college health clinics and non-profit family planning clinics (including Planned Parenthood) for birth control. Physician is Founder of "I Am Worth the Wait." By Charita M. Goshay, The Repository May 24, 2008 CANTON, OHIO---Dr. Lindsay Marsh is a 30 year old anesthesiologist, ordained minister, and founder of I Am Worth the Wait, an organization that promotes abstinence and sexual purity. She has also committed to remain a virgin until marriage. She uses MySpace and Facebook to educate teens on the importance of abstinence. A Commitment to Purity By Bill Reed, The Gazette May 17, 2008 COLORADO---This year, the Father-Daughter Purity balls celebrate their 10th anniversary. The idea for the ball started when founder Randy Wilson wanted to an event to celebrate his 13 year old daughter's transition from a young girl into a young woman, as well as his commitment to stand by her. Although some add a virginity pledge to the ball, his original idea does not include one. Debunking 'Technical Virginity' By Rob Stein, The Washington Post May 20, 2008 According to a recent study by the Guttmacher Institute, the common misconception that teens are engaging in oral sex to preserve their virginity is false. Silver Ring Thing in Oregon By Buffy Pollock, Medford Mail Tribune May 11, 2008 MEDFORD, Ore---On Saturday, May 11, the national abstinence group Silver Ring Thing came and spoke to over 400 teens on abstinence until marriage and faith. Abstinence Foes, Defenders Debate By Edward Felker, MyWebTimes.com April 24, 2008 WASHINGTON D.C.---Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), chairman of the House Government and Oversight Committee, held a hearing on April 23 challenging the value of abstinence only education. Waxman is a known opponent of abstinence only education. Only one witness in favor of abstinence only education was on the government panel. Ireland: Early Teen Sex Leads to Pregnancy, Abortion By Thaddeus M. Baklinski, LifesiteNews.com April 11, 2008 IRELAND---According to a recent study by the Irish Crisis Pregnancy Center, girls who are sexually active before age 17 are 70% more likely to get pregnant out of wedlock and 3 times more likely to get an abortion than those who wait until they are older. Sex Education By Donna Freitas, The Wall Street Journal April 14, 2008 As parents send their kids off to college, it is important they consider the sexual environment they will face. In a survey of over 2,500 students at private and public universities, Frietas found that over 41% of those who reported "hooking up" were upset with their behavior. However, she found many students felt dating and saving sex for marriage was a "fantasy land." She encourages parents to check out the message prospective colleges are presenting about sex and marriage. Schools Include Condoms in Prom Favor Bag By Bob Unruh, World Net Daily April 7, 2008 ARIZONA---Brisbee High School gives prom favor bags for students. The bags typically include a picture frame, candy, or balloons. This year, the Brisbee District School Board voted 4-1 to include condoms in the bag. Legislators Send Letter to Stop CBAE Funding Press Release, Congressman Jim Moran March 20, 2008 WASHINGTON D.C.- Congressman Jim Moran [d-VA] led 76 other lawmakers in sending a letter to House Appropriations Committee Chairman, David Obey, requesting removal of funding for the Community Based Abstinence Education (CBAE) program for the 2009 Fiscal Year. Girls Gone Mild By Martha Waggoner, Associated Press March 22, 2008 Waggoner focuses on Pure Fashion, a national group of teenage girls who promote dressing in modest clothing. One in Four Teen Girls Have an STD By Lawrence K. Altman, The New York Times March 12, 2008 In a recent study on four common types of STDs (Genital Herpes, Human Paploma Virus, chlamydia, trichomoniasis), the Center for Disease Control (CDC) found that 1 in 4 teen girls, aged 14-19 have one of these STDs. 15% have more than one. When used effectively, condoms are reported to protect against chlamydia and trichomoniasis, but not against HPV (which can cause cancer) or genital herpes. Women Still Confused on HPV Medical News Today February 21, 2008 According to a recent survey by the National Association of Nurse Practitioners, many women still do not know all the facts about the human paploma virus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer. Women do not know a HPV test is necessary along with a pap smear, or that cervical cancer can be preventable. Sex Education in Sunday School By Sarah Morgan, Columbia News Service February 20, 2008 NEW YORK---The article highlights how many churches, such as the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association, are teaching abstinence education during Sunday School because many parents feel their kids are not being provided enough information in school. The sex education classes include contraception, STDS and sexual morality grounded in religious faith. Programs are available for ages 6-18. American Idol Contestants Promote Abstinence By Elena Garcia, Christian Post January 24, 2008 Both 17 year old Amy Catherine Flynn, and 19 year old Bruce Dickson expressed their commitment to abstinence during their audition for American Idol. Flynn advanced, but Dickson was rejected. Although host Ryan Seacrest said "Maybe next year he'll come back less a boy and more a man," Dickson is sticking with his commitment to save his first kiss for his bride. Teens With Positive Attitudes About Delaying Sex Are Less Likely To Initiate | |||
