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Email from NARAL
Today, May 2, is the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, and it marks the ideal time to acknowledge that President Bush's "abstinence-only" programs just aren't working.
A recent independent report underscored what you and I have known all along - that "abstinence-only" programs don't work. The report found that students in "abstinence-only" programs are NOT more likely to abstain from sex or delay when they become sexually active. Yet anti-choice politicians in Washington have spent $1 billion in taxpayer dollars on a plan that fails to make the grade.
Luckily for our teens, we've got another option. Sen. Robert Menendez and Rep. Steve Rothman (both D-NJ) have reintroduced the Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Responsibility, and Opportunity Act to help schools and community groups set up programs that encourage teens to delay sexual activity and help parents communicate with their children about sex.
The facts about teen pregnancy don't lie: The United States has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the Western industrialized world.
One out of every three young women in America becomes pregnant before she reaches the age of 20.
Each year, 750,000 young women become pregnant.
Eight out of 10 of these pregnancies are unintended and nearly one-third end in abortion. As a former teacher and state education official, I know that values should be taught at home, and facts should be taught at school.
It boggles my mind that, despite the evidence, President Bush wants to throw more of our tax dollars at a failing initiative. Let's do what is right for teens and their families.
Let's give our teens a better, commonsense option. Contact Congress today to ask them to sponsor this bill.
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