sex-education-usa

WOES OF USA

BELOW IS A SUCCESS STORY WHERE SEX EDUCATION WAS GIVEN AND IT MADE WORLD OF DIFFERENCE.

WHAT WAS DONE FOR SUCCESS

South Carolina is the only state in the country that mandates a certain number of hours that schools must devote to sexuality education.

In 2004, Jewels’ school district in Anderson County decided to do even more. The district partnered with a local teen-pregnancy-prevention organization to implement an innovative relationship and sex-education curriculum that runs through all three years of middle school and into high school, as well as an after-school program for at-risk kids.

HOW IS USA MANAGING

Carol Burdette’s arguments swayed school officials in Anderson District 3. With the help of friends, she raised $40,000 to hire a recent Clemson University graduate to be the district’s dedicated sex-education teacher.purposely stayed away from moral arguments and instead emphasized the social and economic costs of teen pregnancy.

DIFFICULTY FACED TO TAKE TO SEX ED TO SCHOOLS

ABSTINENCE only sex education and
Comprehensive Sex Education that also talks about Abstinence are two vehemently held debated schools of thought.
Now it will be debated whether to eliminate $176 million in federal funding for so-called abstinence-only programs.
Carol Burdette, executive director of United Way of Anderson County. “They told us, ‘We know this works, but we can’t get into the schools.’”

DOES ABSTINENCE ONLY SEX EDUCATION PROGRAM WORK?

Substantial research–including a 2007 Bush Administration report–has concluded that comprehensive programs are most effective at changing teen sexual behaviors. They are also largely uncontroversial outside Washington. Vast majorities of parents favor teaching comprehensive sex education.

Despite lack of political will and investment, community can be motivated to educate kids about sexuality and healthy relationships in a truly responsible and honest way.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS DUE TO SEX EDUCATION

Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy have calculated that in 2004 alone, teen pregnancies cost U.S. taxpayers more than $9 billion in health care, foster care, public assistance and lost tax revenue. The cost for South Carolina taxpayers that year came to $156 million.

TIMEUSA

By Amy Sullivan / Anderson

Thursday, Mar. 19, 2009