Two Governors Say No to Preventing Teen Pregnancy
This morning's news includes reports of how two states' respective anti-choice governors are saying no to federal funds for comprehensive teen-pregnancy-prevention programs. You know, the kind of programs that teach teens about abstinence and contraception. These efforts help young people prevent unintended pregnancy and avoid sexually transmitted diseases. Would anyone really say no to such commonsense policies?
Well, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty apparently doesn't care that his refusal to apply for these funds will cost his state hundreds of thousands of dollars. We like what Linnea House, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota, had to say:
We are outraged Gov. Tim Pawlenty is willing to continue to play games with the lives of Minnesota youth... During a time of tremendous budgetary challenges for our state, the governor has once again shown that he will put political games ahead of sound policy recommendations.
Given how politicians are behaving in Virginia, we must admit that Gov. Bob McDonnell's decision is not surprising, even though NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia and its allies gave him many compelling reasons to do the right thing. However, it's still disappointing that Gov. McDonnell, like Gov. Pawlenty in Minnesota, put a political agenda before teens' health. It's also worth noting that Virginia's previous governor declined "abstinence-only" funds in the past because the programs were such a failure. This is really a step backward for teens in Virginia.
Teen-pregnancy prevention and accurate sex education are not controversial topics. The public supports this evidence-based approach. In fact, a newspaper in Gov. McDonnell's state just released findings from a survey that shows 80 percent of parents in Roanoke support comprehensive sex education.
If you're feeling ambitious and want to learn more about this topic, we've got the fact sheets and more for you. Or, if you'd like a primer on how to talk about this topic with friends, visit our Talk About Choice section.
Tags:
Birth control, Bob McDonnell, Education, Pro-choice, Sex education, Sexually transmitted disease, Teenage pregnancy, Tim Pawlenty,
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Again, church and state must be separate....churhes or covens of zealous judgement play too big a part in the lives of Americans and those in other countries, if I am reading current news correctly. These wise guys probably have wives and mothers who believe the doctrine spouted by the covens. We must vote them out out out