Obama Proposes Cutting Funding for Abstinence Education
- Updated Feb 19, 2016
Abstinence-only education programs could lose federal funding in a new proposal from President Obama.
According to The Christian Post, the proposal would eliminate funding for abstinence-only programs in the 2017 budget year. The programs typically receive an annual $10 million grant.
The abstinence-only programs, run by the Department of Health and Human Services, typically do not include information on birth control methods, such as condoms.
"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recognizes the Heritage Keepers® Abstinence Education program as a proven effective, evidenced-based intervention that reduces sexual initiation among teens as well as other positive research findings that impact the health and well-being of youth," reads the description for the Heritage Keepers Abstinence Education.
Thus far, abstinence-only education programs haven’t commented on the proposal.
The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S., however, issued a statement applauding Obama’s proposal.
“SIECUS is grateful for President Obama's leadership in seeking to end abstinence-only-until-marriage funding once and for all. After three decades and nearly $2 billion in federal spending wasted on this failed approach, the President's proposed budget increases support for programs and efforts that seek to equip young people with the skills they need to ensure their lifelong sexual health and well-being," said SIECUS's vice president for policy, interim president and CEO, Jesseca Boyer.
Publication date: February 19, 2016
