In 1961, singer Jewel Akins' hit single suggested, "Let me tell you `bout the birds and the bees." Today's parents and educators are heeding that advice, but when it comes to the topic of birth control, they're singing another song. According to "Teens Talk," a survey commissioned by Durex Consumer Products, a manufacturer of condoms, parents need to play an even more active role in combating the national epidemic of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. While America's teens generally are comfortable talking to their mothers and fathers about dating and relationships, more than one in three say they are not when discussing birth control and the purchase of contraceptives. The survey polled a representative sample of 500 15- to 19-year-olds nationwide concerning sexuality and sex education in the home and the classroom. The results show they are not getting enough information about birth control and other sexual health topics through their schools. Despite the 98% who report receiving sexuality education in school, 55% still have questions about birth control methods, where and how to get birth control confidentially, and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. With comprehensive sexuality education in place in most public schools, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control report teen pregnancy to be on the decline. The survey reveals that education on birth control and STDs in the classroom encouraged 83% of teens to remain abstinent longer, 95% to take precautions to prevent unintended pregnancies, and 85% to discuss birth control and other sexual issues with their partners. However, legislation passed by Congress in 1996 allocating $250,000,000 to fund sexuality education programs that exclude medically accurate information about birth control and STDs threatens comprehensive sexuality education and prevents teens from receiving vital information that can directly impact their decisions. The U.S. still leads industrialized countries in teen pregnancy rates, and every year, 1,000,000 girls aged 15 to 19 become pregnant. COPYRIGHT 1998 Society for the Advancement of Education COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group
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Schools skimping on sex education. (Durex Consumer Products survey)(Brief Article)
Issue: August, 1998
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