[NYTr] Congress Re-Ups Abstinence-Ed Program

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

The Washington Times via TruthDig - Oct 1, 2007
http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/20071001_congress_re_ups_abstinence_ed_program/

Congress Re-Ups Abstinence-Ed Program

File under “Your Tax Dollars at Work”:  Congress has once again
approved a three-month extension of a $50-million nationwide
abstinence-education program, a move detractors say ignores indications
that the approach (shock!) may not be working for America’s teens.

The Washington Times:

"Rep. James P. Moran, Virginia Democrat, said he supported “with
frustration” the second three-month extension of the $50 million Title
V abstinence-education program and several health programs that serve
low-income families.

"The health programs are effective, but unfortunately they are “held
hostage” to the abstinence program, “which prizes ideology over science
and ... harms our children through the provision of medically
inaccurate information,” Mr. Moran said Wednesday. The Senate passed
its extension of Title V and other health programs on Thursday.

"Abstinence supporters have been playing defense, especially since April
when Mathematica Policy Research Inc. released a long-awaited
evaluation of four abstinence programs. It concluded that the programs
didn’t affect teen sexual behavior."

                           ***

Full article in the Moonie Washington Times:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070930/NATION/109300045/

Foes hit continued abstinence funding

By Cheryl Wetzstein
Sept 30, 2007

Congress again has extended funding for a core abstinence-education
program, sparking protests from sex-education advocates who want
Democrats to pull the plug on such programs.

"Their actions defy logic and common sense," said James Wagoner,
president of Advocates for Youth.

First, Congress funds what Mr. Wagoner called unproven abstinence
programs. Then it commissions a study that shows they don't work, but
lawmakers ignore those results and continue to fund the programs.

"Teens deserve better policies. We all deserve better leaders," said
Mr. Wagoner, whose organization stresses rights, respect and
responsibility in sex education.

Rep. James P. Moran, Virginia Democrat, said he supported "with
frustration" the second three-month extension of the $50 million Title
V abstinence-education program and several health programs that serve
low-income families.

The health programs are effective, but unfortunately they are "held
hostage" to the abstinence program, "which prizes ideology over science
and ... harms our children through the provision of medically
inaccurate information," Mr. Moran said Wednesday. The Senate passed
its extension of Title V and other health programs on Thursday.

Abstinence supporters have been playing defense, especially since April
when Mathematica Policy Research Inc. released a long-awaited
evaluation of four abstinence programs. It concluded that the programs
didn't affect teen sexual behavior.

"Abstinence programs don't as yet have a long track record," Janice
Shaw Crouse of the Beverly LaHaye Institute wrote in a paper called,
"Why the Left is Attacking Abstinence Programs."