States Rejecting "Abstinence-Only" Funding

Federal Government Has Spent Millions On Sex-Ed Approach, Now 15 States Not Interested

(CBS)  In the sexually-charged world of teenagers, it can be tough to just say, "no."

"It's difficult to really be abstinent until marriage because it's a lot of different things pulling at you when you're a teenager," 16-year-old Kristen Brown explains.

CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports the forces pulling at America's teens include the tribulations of idols and icons from pop-culture; like the recent news that Britney Spears' 16-year old sister is pregnant.

All those influences have driven Congress and the Bush administration to push "abstinence-only" education. The government has provided states a billion dollars during the past decade for abstinence-only programs.

But many say it just doesn't work, and they point to the teen birth rate's first rise in 15 years as proof.

A growing number of states are taking a stand and actually rejecting federal abstinence-only funds, reports Attkisson. New Mexico just became the 15th.

"The governors are saying; 'Even if this administration is going to continue to push abstinence-only, we in the states are going to do the right thing by teens and actually give them the information they need to actually prevent an unintended pregnancy,'" said Cecile Richards, the president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

No state requires abstinence-only education in school. The federal money they're giving up is for outside groups to promote abstinence. Giving up the funds is more of a symbolic gesture by governors who believe kids need to know about birth control too.

Attkisson says the states are split as to exactly what they want taught in schools; Fourteen require both abstinence and contraception be taught in sex ed. Nineteen states only require abstinence, but contraception may be taught. Seventeen states don't tell their local school boards what to do.

Those who want teens to wait to have sex are upset that so many states are rejecting the federal abstinence funds.

"I think they're the victims of a huge lobbying effort on behalf of the contraception education proponents, who truly do not want abstinence education to exist," says Elayne Bennett, of the Best Friends Foundation.

But as the adults passionately debate their kids' private lives, the teens themselves are left to wrestle with the pressures and problems of young life.

"So many people have had sex and had sexual experiences, so you sort of feel left out," says Kristen.

[bruinsbstn]

It is ridiculous and so sad that so many states have rejected federal funding for abstinence-only programs. This is exactly why are society is so corrupt and immoral. It starts with the corruption of the young. What kind of a message do we send teenagers when we teach them about so-called "safe ***"? You want to avoid AIDS, dont have *** until you are married. The world today seems to think that condoms reduce the spread of AIDS. Research in one African country where condoms have been promoted and widely used indicates that AIDS has risen there. How can this be? Because more people are engaging in more *** more frequently. With so much *** out there no wonder why AIDS is on the increase. Pope Paul VI said that contraception would lead to the breakdown of the family and even to abortion. How? A married mad goes to have an affair and in his own mind he thinks it will be safe *** because he can use a condom. So off he goes to have an affair and who suffers? The wife and children suffer and the family breaksdown. These children then are at an increase risk to follow such immoral behavior. A couple uses a contraceptive and what happens when it fails? The more likely for an abortion..that''s why happens since they already acknowledged they don''t want a child that''s why they uses contraception. So there you have it...contraception is the root of so many evils today and is the devils tool in the world!

[bruinsbstn]

It is ridiculous and so sad that so many states have rejected federal funding for abstinence-only programs. This is exactly why are society is so corrupt and immoral. It starts with the corruption of the young. What kind of a message do we send teenagers when we teach them about so-called "safe ***"? You want to avoid AIDS, dont have *** until you are married. The world today seems to think that condoms reduce the spread of AIDS. Research in one African country where condoms have been promoted and widely used indicates that AIDS has risen there. How can this be? Because more people are engaging in more *** more frequently. With so much *** out there no wonder why AIDS is on the increase. Pope Paul VI said that contraception would lead to the breakdown of the family and even to abortion. How? A married mad goes to have an affair and in his own mind he thinks it will be safe *** because he can use a condom. So off he goes to have an affair and who suffers? The wife and children suffer and the family breaksdown. These children then are at an increase risk to follow such immoral behavior. A couple uses a contraceptive and what happens when it fails? The more likely for an abortion..that''s why happens since they already acknowledged they don''t want a child that''s why they uses contraception. So there you have it...contraception is the root of so many evils today and is the devils tool in the world!

[closethippy1]

*** in my previous post means S.E.X, *** it!

[closethippy1]

closethippy1, it doesnt matter if God is who people say he is or not, the principles that were put down are excellent..to discard one because people don''''t believe in the other is straight out stupid,, IF we loved one another as ourselves we would not have all this hell.. IF we tried to understand each other instead of only looking from our own reference module then we would have a totally different world.. We must NOT throw out the baby with the bath water, or do we then throw away all sport just because some sports men rape women or get drunk and beat people up, the idea of sports is fantastic it is good for you, so we gleam all that is good and go on..

Posted by Gaye5 at 07:57 PM : Jan 07, 2008


How I wish people would look at religion that way, too. Every religion has its wisdoms and they all should learn from one another. No one should be certain that their religion is it, or that the other religions are false or not as good.
To be humble enough to recognize that is also to be humble enough not to impose your own set of religious based moralities on others.
Abstinence-only *** education has failed because, frankly, *** has nothing to do with "morality". How do you judge or punish a 4 year-old girl who enjoys humping an arm chair for half an hour because it feels good?
*** is part of us almost from the day we are born and as such we will try to learn about it at our own discretion.
There''s nothing to feel guilty about that.

[likeitis5050]

Just remove the safety net for kids who choose to toy with s.ex to the point of pregnancy or disease....Social Services is ever ready to jump in and pay for the pregnancy, childcare, medical care, and education incentives when a kid finds out, too late, why having s.ex before she can take care of yourself is not a good idea. Our government refuses to make families accountable for their children....and it would put too many useless SRS workers out of business. Plus no one wants to see an innocent new born pay for some stupid teenager''s irresponsibilty. Our country is not ready to hand the consequences of children having children back to the parents...we have too many adults still attached to the nip.ples of government handouts to change now. Teaching children to wait until they are fully adult before engaging in intimate s.exu.al relations is not a religious issue. It''s about teaching children responsibility and being accoutable for the choices they make every day. It would be a horse of a different color if so many weren''t depending on some government program to bail them out every time they mess up. Remove the government programs and you have parents taking a vested interest in how many babies get added to a family by teens...and a remarkable reduction in STDs. It''s unrealistic to think this concept will be adapted in huge numbers on its own at this point...the horse is out of the barn and running the farm.

[michellem99-2009]

My Dad says *If ye use others right then They use ye right.* It is his way of the golden rule. I was never in the church as a child. Common sense. Gaye I wrote the truth as I went thru it and ye have no idea how hard it was to bear my soul on that rapist story. I was in trars but I had to to wake others up Yes in America we are abused as children. I am for children not having sexx here is sexx. I am 53. I want children to learn and be children. No sexx. The girl gets her period and she knows why. I had a class mate years ago she felt left out. Never got her period,we all did. For the female it is a rite of passage. My mother she asked me whats wrong with my sister. Mum had no idea. I asked had her period started. Mum did yer tell her. No yer didn''t. I said she will before I go home. Mum did not get her the items my sister needed. I gave me mine.

[kansas1946]

Those who want teens to wait to have *** are upset that so many states are rejecting the federal abstinence funds.

"I think they''re the victims of a huge lobbying effort on behalf of the contraception education proponents, who truly do not want abstinence education to exist," says Elayne Bennett, of the Best Friends Foundation.

********************************

Oh, yes, it is one of those "vast left-wing conspiracies" again. It is all of those over-sexed liberals just wanting all of the kids to screw their brains out from age 12 on. It is the evil Satanists just wanting kids to get pregnant so they can murder their babies by abortion.
You know, I am so sick of these crazy freaks and their "abstinence only" mantra I could vomit.

[gaye5]

Gidday RowdyTexan2 and you are right, Males are natural born sexual preditors, and your own *** drive and curiosity will make you want to experience ***.I say the same, don''t let yourself be used like a toilet..and yes there is a natural drive but there is also something like control also, and dont get yourself in any position to get into trouble, it can lead to to much misery not only for ones self but the offspring from this experiment..
As I said, if we only had one sexual partner then we would not get these diseases.. However I will not judge others simply because I was brought up in the country in NZ and married at 17, goodness knows what could have happened if I had lived in town and not married till much later.. I simply feel that we do ourselves and our future wives/husbands a disservice if we have many partners and isn''t this where they say that cervical cancer comes from and cancer of the ***/prostate..

[gaye5]

RowdyTexan2 I agree with you but most religions do say to not have sexx before marriage, and we are now finding out why we should not have many partners, and that knowledge is disease..

[gaye5]

Sorry finewoven, that was meant for closethippy1

[gaye5]

finewoven, it doesnt matter if God is who people say he is or not, the principles that were put down are excellent..to discard one because people don''t believe in the other is straight out stupid,, IF we loved one another as ourselves we would not have all this hell.. IF we tried to understand each other instead of only looking from our own reference module then we would have a totally different world.. We must NOT throw out the baby with the bath water, or do we then throw away all sport just because some sports men rape women or get drunk and beat people up, the idea of sports is fantastic it is good for you, so we gleam all that is good and go on..

[rowdytexan2]

Morality is not and has never been a Christian or any other religious issue. It is a personal issue. As an adult, it is just a matter of doing what you know to be the right thing. And it is up to adults to show their children the right thing.

Even animals have respect and love for each other and in all instances possible are kind.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by MyIDonCBS at 05:33 PM : Jan 07, 2008

I agree. Teaching the responsibility of *** is one thing, but teaching morality of it belongs in the home. My Dad was the only one who ever spoke to me about s e x. His words were, you are growing into a beautiful young woman. Males are natural born sexual preditors, and your own *** drive and curiosity will make you want to experience ***. Have some respect for yourself, don''t let yourself be used as the recepticle for some guy''s sexual desires. If you decide to experiment with ***, know these things. Your mother and I are about to retire. We are not raising any more children. So if you find yourself pregnant, be assured that you will be raising it, not your mother and I. Your mother and I have enjoyed all of our sexual experiences together. It is something very precious to us. "We'' believe that because we did not spread those desires around this small countryside with other partners that it makes our time together much more valuable. However it is up to you to decide how you live in your future. I am willing to fund your education through one year of college. I wish I could do more, but after raising four children, I cannot. You will need to work part time the first year of college to help you pay the second and so on. You especially have been a delight to my heart. I expect you to become good people. And raise your children to do the same.

I call that the day I learned how the cow ate the cabbage, lol!!!!

[steeepe]

What does god or the ten commandments have to do with abstinence only education???

[usayesterday]

It''''s interesting to see how the idea of god then evolved and became to be who we know today. But that''''s all it is: An idea.
The fact that this idea grew out of different concepts by different cultures should give pause to those believe in god and consider that maybe, just maybe, there is no god.

Posted by closethippy1 at 05:36 PM : Jan 07, 2008
.............

I always thought it was because Christians had a short-term memory and didn''t want to have to remember the God of each and every thing on earth (and the name of that God).

I could see how the Romans, Greeks, and other cultures could get confused when making a sacrifice to the God of the sea and calling out the name of the God of the sky!

Now if you''ll excuse me, I must take to my throne and make a sacrafice to the God of plumbing.

[finewoven]

It''''s interesting to see how the idea of god then evolved and became to be who we know today. But that''''s all it is: An idea.
The fact that this idea grew out of different concepts by different cultures should give pause to those believe in god and consider that maybe, just maybe, there is no god.
Posted by closethippy1 at 05:36 PM : Jan 07, 2008

And idea has a source. Do you ponder where the better ideas come from? I think most people do. If the idea(s), like Plato''s Forms, exists without man to originate and propagate, then I really like the Prime Mover, it doesn''t need our help to make the good. They are automatically good, by their source. Some people call that source God.

[gaye5]

sorry closethippy1, but I have read that even a famour psycologist said that if everyone followed the ten commandments and the Bible from Moses time and even if we leave out the God bits that we would NOT have these horrors today.
I just wish that I had kept his seminar.

[gaye5]

Hi Michelle, living in OZ we are asleep when you guys are awake and I missed replying to many of your posts on the last one.

Guys when we were kids there was not the concreptives around like there is today, all we had was to say NO, and believe it or not it worked.. but because at every corner now (especially TV) there is sexx sexx and more sexx, adultery, fornication, homosexuality etc even very young teens are shown in these situations. Our children are bombarded with it, so of course they find it hard, especially when there is no examples of good family life in these shows, thus isnt this the answer..and doesn''t one wonder why Hollywood is churning out such programs let alone showing all this rot to our children.
We talk of democracy but we have many things that we are stopped from doing for the sake of humanity, they are just common sense so doesn''t it make common sense to force Hollywood to stop this rubbish, and yes we have a free will to watch what we want but if we watch murder,violence horrors *** all day or even a couple of hrs a day, common sense says that it must have an effect, or why do companies spend millions on a few second TV advertising. isn''t it about time we started protecting our children. ????...

[closethippy1]

The Ten Commandments were adopted from Sumerian laws. Hebrews stole everything they claimed as their own from other cultures, including the Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments are irrelevant and unnecesary.

Religion has no place in public facilities, especially schools.
Posted by tuckerndfw at 02:16 PM : Jan 07, 2008

Even the idea of a single god was borrowed from other cultures. At first, Jews and other Semitic groups thought gods came in pairs: Male and female. In fact, every tribe had their own set of gods, and these gods were confined to the especific area the tribe lived on.
It''s interesting to see how the idea of god then evolved and became to be who we know today. But that''s all it is: An idea.
The fact that this idea grew out of different concepts by different cultures should give pause to those believe in god and consider that maybe, just maybe, there is no god.

[myidoncbs]

b-easy63: "I and my sisters waited until we were at least 18..." posted 10:37 AM : Jan 07, 2008

Go back and read what you wrote and I''m sure you''ll see that the only reason that method worked on you was because your parents taught you, and your family shared in those values. It won''t work at school. It''s not the school''s job anyway. It''s the PARENT''s job. If parents want to teach their children to abstain, that is fine. Their message will be supported by the family, by their sense of inclusion in the family unit. The same is NOT true for schools, which consist of kids from widely varying backgrounds, different family values, different financial circumstances, and wacky religions.

Schools should stick to giving scientific and medical information about s.e.x., and leave the moralizing to the parents. If they try to do anything else, they will fail. Furthermore, they will be violating the rights of the kids'' parents to teach them as they see fit.