Texas Spends The Most On Abstinence Education
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Texas Spends The Most On Abstinence Education
Texas leads the nation in spending in abstinence education, but there’s a debate about whether the investment is paying off.
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(July 13, 2008)--Texas spends more money on abstinence education programs than any state in the country, but a debate rages on whether it's worth it.

By spending $17 million last year, the state ran its total since 1982 to almost $117 million.

Most of the money came from the federal government, but state taxpayers picked up the tab for $32.4 million of the spending.

Meanwhile, federal statistics in June showed that Texas was significantly ahead of the national average in students from ninth through 12th grade who had sexual intercourse.

In Texas, 52.9 percent of ninth through 12th grade students have had sexual intercourse, compared to 47.8 nationwide, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Texas teenagers are were less likely to use condoms.

Public schools in Texas are not required to offer sex education, but those that do must make the lessons abstinence-focused.

State law says instructions about condoms must be couched in terms of how often they fail.

Abstinence-only supporters say more comprehensive sex education sends a mixed message to teenagers that having sex at their age is fine.

Opponents cite surveys that they say prove abstinence lessons are failing.

Regardless, a change in Texas policy does not appear likely.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Perry says Perry is comfortable with the law and supports abstinence programs, but the state lawmaker who co-authored the abstinence legislation in 1995 says the law was not meant to eliminate comprehensive sex education in schools.

Democrat Garnet Coleman of Houston said he put up the bill at a time when he feared conservative state officials would abandon sex education completely.

He said the interpretation has morphed into abstinence-only, which wasn't the idea.

Texas Education Agency Web Site

Latest Comments

Posted by: CenTex Location: Temple on Jul 15, 2008 at 07:37 AM

I have seen MANY teens make a commitment to abstinence. There will always be a few that slip - we all make mistakes. Those who wait til they are married are happy and well-adjusted adults. Those youth whose parents talk to them and support them in their decision for abstinence have a far better chance of holding out til they're married than those teens whose parents never say a word to them about sex. Parents - it is important! Talk to your teen about abstinence! This is the only 100% way to prevent, not only pregnancy, but Sexually Transmitted Diseases including AIDS! If you want your child to have a good life and a head start as an adult, don't delay! People can practice control - we are not animals - we are thinkers. Think smart! Make the decision BEFORE you're faced with the situation and remove yourself from situations that force you into these decisions!
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Posted by: Randy Johnson Location: Tejas on Jul 15, 2008 at 07:08 AM

People like William have an amazing ability to misunderstand politics. Conservative Republicans are behind this abstinence stuff...they want to deny that sex exists. Liberals are the ones wanting to do how-to demonstrations in schools. You gotta be smart and teach your kids to be smart. And turn off the radio too, William. Listening to Rush Lardball will rot your soul.
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Posted by: Jim Beam Whiskey on Jul 14, 2008 at 08:30 AM

Yeah what a joke. Leaders in abstinance education spending and leaders in teen pregnancy. I do believe I see a correlation there.
[ Report Abuse ]
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