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In 1996, as part of welfare reform, Congress passed legislation allocating $50 million in federal funds for abstinence-only-until-marriage education. Since then, the Department of Health and Environmental Control and community-based organizations in South Carolina have received more than $3 million in federal funds to support abstinence-only-until-marriage initiatives.
Despite these well-funded abstinence-only programs, teens all across America, including in South Carolina, are sexually active. In fact, according to the most recent Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, a national survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control, 49 percent of female high school students and 55 percent of male high school students in South Carolina report having had sexual intercourse. 1
But, according to Advocates for Youth, an international leader in sexual health, there is now substantial evidence that supports the effectiveness of comprehensive sex education
There is now substantial evidence that supports the effectiveness of comprehensive sex education. As opposed to abstinence-only education, comprehensive sex education addresses both abstinence and age-appropriate, medically accurate information about contraception. Developmentally appropriate, comprehensive sex education also introduces information on relationships, decision-making, assertiveness and skill building to resist social/peer pressure.
Comprehensive sex education programs generally include one or more of the following components: (1) information about the benefits of abstinence, (2) information on the use of condoms and other contraceptive devices or methods for those who were sexually active, (3) information on the importance of early identification and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, (4) information on how to resist negative peer pressure, and (5) information on how to improve communication skill (e.g. how to say no).
Our Position on Sex Education
We believe that South Carolina's youth should receive responsible comprehensive sex education--science-based, medically accurate, and age appropriate health information that addresses both abstinence and contraception. We support the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act which would provide federal money to support responsible comprehensive sex education in schools.
Why Comprehensive Sex Education Matters
In South Carolina, where abstinence-only programs prevail, the number of unintended pregnancy and the rates of transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are astonishingly high:
At least one in every three teen females will get pregnant, at least once, before her 20th birthday. 2
South Carolina has the 3rd highest rates among all 50 states of both Gonorrhea and Chlamydia. Adolescents and teens account for one third of the Chlamydia cases and 20 percent of the Gonorrhea cases. 3
South Carolina has the 8th highest AIDS case rate. 3
Comprehensive sex education, which teaches about both abstinence and contraceptive use, can teach adolescents and teens the benefits of using contraceptives to reduce unintended pregnancy and the transmission of STIs, including HIV/AIDS .
More Information on Comprehensive Sex Education
State Sex and STI/HIV Education Policy
SC Academic Standards for Health and Safety
1 WD Mosher, e. a. (2004). Use of Contraception and Use of Family Planning Services in the United States: 1982-2002. Advance Data from vital and Health Statistics.
2 South Carolina Camapign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. (2009, March). 2008 Update: South Carolina Teen Pregnancy Data. Retrieved October 2009, from South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy: http://www.teenpregnancysc.org
3 Prevention, C. f. (2008, March). HIV Surveillance Report: 2007. Retrieved December 2009, from Center for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/reports
4 John Santelli, M. M. (2006). Abstinence-Only Education Policies and Programs: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Medicine. Journal of Adolescent Health