Editorial Urges Va. Gov. McDonnell To Apply For Federal Comprehensive Sex Education Money

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 10 Sep 2010 - 4:00 PDT


"Society has a vested interest in helping people of child-bearing age understand the risks of teenage, out-of-wedlock and unplanned births and prevent them," according to a Newport News Daily Press editorial arguing that Virginia "Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) should have made sure that Virginia obtains every resource that can help support that work."

Although McDonnell applied for federal funding for abstinence-only sex education, "he did not apply for the $1.3 million set aside for Virginia for comprehensive programs that include information about [sexually transmitted infections] and contraception as well as abstinence," the editorial states. "Virginia needs to make a variety of approaches available and let those who need them -- schools, young people, families -- choose the ones that work for them," the editorial continues.

The editorial argues that "government should be involved" in sex education "because government is very much involved in the consequences of births to people who are not equipped or prepared or willing to be the kind of parents society needs caring for its next generation." Even though "some people insist that the state shouldn't be involved in promoting or providing contraception," others acknowledge the "pragmatic reality" that "most young people end up having sex," the editorial states. It concludes that "[i]t makes sense to use both pots of money and give both groups programming that meets their needs and suits their ideals" (Newport News Daily Press, 9/7).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families.

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