The Abstinence Education E-Update is a free information service of the Division of Abstinence Education of the HHS/ACF Family and Youth Services Bureau, provided by the National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth. Contact NCFY at (301) 608-8098 or ncfy@acf.hhs.gov. If you're having trouble viewing this e-mail, please click here to view a version of it on the Web.
March 24, 2008 Employment Opportunity Abstinence Education Writer/Editor Researcher Finds Link Between Chlamydia and Cervical Cancer State Board of Education Adopts Sex-Education Standards STD Data Come as No Surprise, Area Teenagers Say CDC: At Least 1 in 4 Teenage Girls Has Sexually Transmitted Disease Law to Make Tongue Kissing Minors a Sex Offense Pregnant Pause Texas Schools Trying To Combat Dating Violence Depression, Pregnancy Linked among Black Teens That 'Sex Talk' With Your Kids Should Be Ongoing The National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth maintains a listing of organizations identified as potential funding sources for abstinence education programs. The listing includes grant descriptions and contact information. Adolescent Family Life Research Cooperative Agreement Rethinking Timing of First Sex and Delinquency (2008) – In this article in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence [Volume 37:373-385], researchers looked at the relationship between timing of first sex and later delinquency in a sample of 534 same-sex twin pairs from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. The study found that twins who both had a relatively early sexual debut were more likely to engage in delinquent behavior than twins whose first sexual intercourse was later, ascribed to family influences. However, when the twins had first sex at difference ages, the sibling with earlier first sexual intercourse was less likely to become delinquent. Beyond the “Big Talk”: The Roles of Breadth and Repetition in Parent-Adolescent Communication About Sexual Topics (2008) – In this article, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics [Volume 121 (1):612-618], researchers found teens who have multiple conversations about sex with their parents feel closer to them and are more comfortable communicating with them about sexual topics. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents engage in reciprocal, honest, and open dialogue about sexuality early in their child’s life. Repeated discussion of sexual topics help parents reinforce information they have taught and provide children with the opportunity to ask clarifying questions as they attempt to put their parent’s lessons into practice. Gender Differences in Associations Between Depressive Symptoms and Patterns of Substance Use and Risky Sexual Behavior among a Nationally Representative Sample of U.S. Adolescents (2006) (Fee for entire article) – In this study, published in the Archives of Women’s Mental Health [Volume 9 (3):139-150], researchers used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to determine whether the relationship between risk behaviors and depressive symptoms differs by gender. Among girls, researchers found that any risk activity, no matter how modest in degree, was associated with an increased risk of symptoms of depression. For example, girls who experimented with drugs, tobacco, or alcohol were more than twice as likely to have symptoms of depression as girls who abstained completely. Girls who experimented with sex were almost four times as likely to have such symptoms, and girls who used intravenous drugs were almost 18 times as likely to have symptoms of depression as girls who abstained completely. Adolescent Depression and Suicide Risk: Association with Sex and Drug Behavior (2004) (Fee for entire article) – This article, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine [Volume 27 (3): 224-231], examined the relationship between depression and suicide risk and drug use and early sexual intercourse. Compared to youth who abstain from risk behaviors, young people who were involved in drinking, smoking, and/or sexual activity were more likely to suffer from depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts. Researchers concluded that teens, and particularly teen girls, who engage in risk behaviors may benefit from mental health screenings. Building Community Partnerships: Tips for Out-of-School Time Programs Abstinence Education Grantees Regional Training
Abstinence Education Grantees Regional Training Abstinence Education Grantees Regional Training The Abstinence Education E-Update Spotlight has highlighted various topics, from new Federal staff to effective State programs. Now, NCFY will highlight two States a month, looking at each State’s legislation, policy, and specific State features related to abstinence education. LOUISIANA What’s Interesting in the State of Louisiana There are also four CBAE grantees in the State of Louisiana. State Law in Louisiana "Sex education" means the dissemination of factual biological or pathological information that is related to the human reproductive system and may include the study of sexually transmitted disease, pregnancy, childbirth, puberty, menstruation, and menopause, as well as the dissemination of factual information about parental responsibilities under the child support laws of the State. Sex education cannot include religious beliefs, practices in human sexuality, or the subjective moral and ethical judgments of the instructor or other persons. Students cannot be tested, quizzed, or surveyed about their personal or family beliefs or practices in sex, morality, or religion. According to the Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, the major emphasis of any sex education instruction offered in the public schools shall be to encourage sexual abstinence between unmarried persons, as well as:
What’s Unique in the State of Louisiana GPA has established an exchange program to engage high-level officials in five countries that have adopted or are in the process of adopting the GPA program. GPA has provided training to 900 educators, health care providers, and parents from numerous other States and countries. GPA has a base of more than 300 volunteers, including elected officials, health care providers, parents, community leaders, and educators. Teacher training is offered monthly throughout the State. There is no charge for certification, curriculum materials, or training. The same curriculum and program is used in the schools, youth programs, and home schools in every parish. All GPA events are televised on cable stations statewide. Quote of the Day For many, the numbers likely seem "overwhelming because you're talking about nearly half of the sexually experienced teens at any one time having evidence of an STD." (Dr. Margaret Blythe, an adolescent medicine specialist at Indiana University School of Medicine and head of the American Academy of Pediatrics' committee on adolescence, FoxNews.com, March 11, 2008) |
The Abstinence Education E-Update comprises links to Web sites with information on current events, research, funding opportunities, and other items related to abstinence-until-marriage education. Inclusion of this information does not imply endorsement by the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), or the National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth (NCFY). Moreover, the points of view or opinions expressed on these Web sites do not necessarily represent the official position, policies, or views of FYSB, HHS, or NCFY.
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