Teen Pregnancy Rates
The Church has a role in discussing sex and sex education with children and teens that provides scientific facts alongside the religious, theological, social reasons for making good decisions about one’s body and relationships. Just say “no” and shame may have been effective centuries ago (not really), but that places all the responsibility or blame for teen pregnancy on teen girls and makes excuses for teen boys. “Abstinence Only” curriculum is irresponsible. This article from ThinkProgress highlights one state’s struggle with that irresponsible decision that adults made on behalf of their children and youth. This comes at an interesting time when white conservative patriarchy is making a “last stand” to claim authoritarian power again in government and culture (see all states that elected GOP leaders to state houses in 2010). What is startling is that these “educated” men and women cannot see that their desires for American culture based on their expression of Christianity (presented in the media by former Governor Mike Huckabee) is akin to what the Taliban did and continues to do in villages throughout Afghanistan. Click the title to read the entire article.
State With Highest Teen Pregnancy Rate Slowly Moving Away From Abstinence-Only
By Tara Culp-Ressler on Aug 3, 2012 | ThinkProgress
As Mississippi struggles with the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the country, a majority of school districts are doubling down on a abstinence-only instruction, largely ignoring a 2011 state law that requires Mississippi schools to teach some form of sex education. But a growing number are abandoning the failed approach and opting for small steps toward a more honest conversation about sexual health.