To Battle Teen Pregnancy Crisis, Texas Builds $1.2 Million Abstinence-Only Website

[TexasTowelie]

You're a public health policymaker in Texas. Teenage girls in the state are getting knocked up at an alarming rate, then they're having babies and getting knocked up again. The data, along with the bulk of the scientific literature, suggest that the state's longstanding strategy of telling kids not to have sex isn't working.

Do you A.) come to terms with reality and embark on a campaign to teach kids about safe sex and the benefits of contraception; or B). declare jihad on family planning clinics and pour $1.2 million into an abstinence-only website and ad campaign?

Having trouble? Go back to the first sentence. Focus on the "Texas" part. The correct answer is clearly b.

The family planning cuts instituted by the state legislature over the past two legislative sessions have been well documented. The $1.2-million abstinence-only web campaign, ourtown4teens.org, rolled out this month.

More at http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2013/09/to_battle_teen_pregnancy_crisi.php .

[hobbit709]

1. TX is racing for the bottom as fast as it can.

[mbperrin]

7. Hey, we've spent plenty to BE AT the bottom by now!

If we're not, I want an investigation to find out why the hell not!

[SamKnause]

2. Education ????

The federal government doles out $50 million per year to be used for 'teaching' abstinence only.

Living in the 21st century is a very strange experience.

[Laelth]

3. Depressing. n/t

-Laelth

[Javaman]

4. the question that needs to be asked is...

who was paid to make this site.

sounds like a case of over paying someone who is a friend, relative or repuke donor.

[DhhD]

5. It also known as, looking the other way so the problem can get worse thereby adding more jobs to

abstinence State Programs. Guess this will run away with it self for several more years.

[TexasTowelie]

6. Another article on this program with more details:

http://www.texasobserver.org/state-health-department-spends-1-2m-abstinence-project/