Nearly $200 million in abstinence-education funding — and the mental health of American teenagers — hangs in the balance.
New research, to be published Thursday in the American Journal of Sociology, suggests premarital sex doesn't harm the mental health of teens, except those 15 or younger, whose relationships tend to be less committed, USA Today reported today.
"For this study to state that teens 15 and younger tend to be less committed in sexual relationships demonstrates its incredible disconnect from reality," said Linda Klepacki, analyst for sexual health at Focus on the Family Action.
"Research shows us that young girls are much more likely to be pressured into sex by much older boys than older teen girls. The term 'statutory rape' is more apropos for 14-year-olds having sex than the term 'committed.'"
According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 63 percent of sexually experienced 12- to 19-year-olds wish they had waited longer before having sexual intercourse.
"Is this statement not a direct result of an emotional response?" Klepacki asked.
Meanwhile, Congress seems ready to drop two programs that fund abstinence education.
Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said: "People must take the opportunity this week while members are in their home districts to urge reauthorization of Title V abstinence-education funding."
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Watch Stuart Shepard's Stoplight video commentary: "Defending Abstinence."
TAKE ACTION
Contact your representative before Friday and ask him or her to vote to reauthorize abstinence funding.
Find your representative’s local phone number at the Family Research Council’s Web site.
Type your ZIP code in the space provided and click the “Go” button. You’ll be transferred to a page where, toward the bottom, you’ll see a photo of your representative. Underneath the photo, click “info.” Call your representative's district office.
Pay particular attention to members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. That committee is expected to consider the question of abstinence funding next week.
House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Chairman John D. Dingell, D-Mich., Dearborn office, (313) 278-2936
Vice Chair Diana DeGette, D-Colo.
Democrats
Henry A. Waxman, Calif.
Edward J. Markey, Mass.
Rick Boucher, Va.
Edolphus Towns, N.Y.
Frank Pallone, Jr., N.J.
Bart Gordon, Tenn.
Bobby L. Rush, Ill.
Anna G. Eshoo, Calif.
Bart Stupak, Mich., Petoskey office, (231) 348-0657
Eliot L. Engel, N.Y.
Albert R. Wynn, Md.
Gene Green, Texas
Vito Fossella, N.Y.
Lois Capps, Calif.
Mike Doyle, Pa.
Jane Harman, Calif.
Tom Allen, Maine
Jan Schakowsky, Ill.
Hilda L. Solis, Calif.
Charles A. Gonzalez, Texas
Jay Inslee, Wash.
Tammy Baldwin, Wis.
Mike Ross, Ark.
Darlene Hooley, Ore.
Anthony D. Weiner, N.Y.
Jim Matheson, Utah
G. K. Butterfield, N.C.
Charlie Melancon, La., Gonzales office, (225) 621-8490
John Barrow, Ga., Savannah office, (912) 354-7282
Baron P. Hill, Ind., Jeffersonville office, (812) 288-3999
Republicans
Joe Barton, Texas, ranking member
Ralph M. Hall, Texas
Dennis Hastert, Ill.
Fred Upton, Mich.
Cliff Stearns, Fla.
Nathan Deal, Ga.
Ed Whitfield, Ky.
Barbara Cubin, Wyo.
John Shimkus, Ill.
Heather Wilson, N.M.
John Shadegg, Ariz.
Charles W. "Chip", Miss.
Steve Buyer, Ind.
George Radanovich, Calif.
Joseph R. Pitts, Pa.
Mary Bono, Calif.
Greg Walden, Ore.
Lee Terry, Neb.
Mike Ferguson, N.J.
Mike Rogers, Mich.
Sue Myrick, N.C.
John Sullivan, Okla.
Tim Murphy, Pa.
Michael C. Burgess, Texas
Marsha Blackburn, Tenn.
(Paid for by Focus on the Family Action)