March 10, 2011
Students Ask Congress to Support Their Choice for Abstinence Education
Friday, March 11, students from across the nation meet with House and Senate members to urge them to reinstate federal funding for abstinence education. “Students who have personally benefitted from abstinence-centered programs are disappointed that President Obama and Congress eliminated funding for abstinence education.” remarked Valerie Huber, Executive Director of NAEA. “They want Congress to correct that error within the FY 2012 federal budget and provide funding for programs that reflect the positive teen behavioral trending toward the healthy choice of abstinence.”
Students shared their personal stories with Members of Congress, noting that their experiences are not unique. "At a time when Congress needs to tighten its fiscal belt, restoring a priority on abstinence education is an investment that could reap great economic, social, and personal rewards," adds Huber. "Over one million students lost the important skills contained in their abstinence programs when Congress eliminated these programs last year. Last week's release of new CDC data shows that more and more teens are choosing abstinence. Our federal priorities should bolster this healthy teen resolve by returning to a focus on abstinence education."
Participants at Friday's 2011 Abstinence Day on the Hill seeked to remove the contentious debate around the value of abstinence education. Citing the fact that broad federal funding for abstinence-centered education began under the Clinton Administration and received a boost under the Bush Administration, they insisted that the focus should be on providing teens with the skills they need to make healthy decisions – not on partisan political rhetoric.