Tuesday, October 1, 2002

A story released today by U.S. Newswire reports that according to a pool by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S., lower-income parents and guardians overwhelmingly support comprehensive sex education programs that teach young people all aspects of sexuality, including how to use birth control to prevent unintended pregnancy and how to protect against sexually transmitted diseases. The poll found:

-- By 81 percent to 16 percent, these parents and guardians favor sex education programs that teach young people about all aspects of sex and sexuality - including how to use birth control to prevent unintended pregnancy and how to protect against STDs - over programs that focus solely on abstinence-only-until-marriage and the dangers of sex.

"Parents and guardians at lower income levels and across ethnicities want their kids to receive a comprehensive approach to sex education that includes information about contraception and condoms to prevent unintended pregnancy and the spread of STDs, as well as about abstinence," said Tamara Kreinin, president and CEO of SIECUS. "This poll demonstrates that the proliferation of unproven abstinence-only-until-marriage programs across the nation is completely out of step with the parents and guardians of our nation's most vulnerable young people."

Furthermore, the poll found that while parents recognize the central role they play in teaching their children about sex and sexuality, including relationships and becoming sexually active, how to prevent pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and other STDs, as well as how to say no to sex, they are not talking to their kids about these critical issues.

"Open, honest communication about sexual health between parents and guardians and their children is critical throughout childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood to help young people protect their health and well-being and become sexually healthy adults," said Kreinin. "The results of this poll make it clear that parents and guardians may need more assistance than they think."

To help get the conversation started, SIECUS is proud to announce the release of its new publication, Innovative Approaches to Increase Parent-Child Communication about Sexuality: Their Impact and Examples from the Field, and the launch of its new website www.familiesaretalking.org as part of its latest parent-child communication initiative.

"This groundbreaking publication and website will prove to be an invaluable tool for parents and guardians and their communities to increase parent-child communication about sexual health issues." said Kreinin.