Stop Wasting Taxpayers' Money on Ineffective Abstinence Programs!
Last April, Congress increased Title V funding for abstinence-focused programs in public schools. Though these programs are well-intentioned, they've proven to be ineffective. Also, the American College of Pediatricians (ACP), a major supporter of abstinence-focused education, produces the website "Facts About Youth," which spreads biased information about the homosexual lifestyle, and advocates for therapy to change one's sexual orientation.
It is unrealistic to expect the majority of teens to abstain from sexual behavior, and they need to be educated on safe sex practices. Studies show that abstinence-only programs have no impact on students' age of first sexual experience, nor the rates of STDs and pregnancy. Abstinence-focused programs only have negative impacts -- students who take "virginity pledges" as part of the program are less likely to use contraceptives, and more likely to have oral and anal sex than their non-pledging peers.
Billions of taxpayers' dollars have been pumped into abstinence-only programs, when their only proven effects have been negative. There is no reason to continue funding these damaging and biased programs. Please sign the petition to urge Congress to cut funding for abstinence-only programs!
We, the undersigned, are concerned with your funding of abstinence-based programs in schools. Though these programs are well-intentioned, they've proven to be ineffective. Also, the American College of Pediatricians (ACP), a major supporter of abstinence-focused education, produces the website "Facts About Youth," which spreads biased information about the homosexual lifestyle, and advocates for therapy to change one's sexual orientation.
It is unrealistic to expect the majority of teens to abstain from sexual behavior, and they need to be educated on safe sex practices. Studies show that abstinence-only programs have no impact on students' age of first sexual experience, nor the rates of STDs and pregnancy. Abstinence-focused programs only have negative impacts -- students who take "virginity pledges" as part of the program are less likely to use contraceptives, and more likely to have oral and anal sex than their non-pledging peers.
Billions of taxpayers' dollars have been pumped into abstinence-only programs, when their only proven effects have been negative. There is no reason to continue funding these damaging and biased programs. We respectfully urge you to cut funding for abstinence-only programs. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
