Why PP Series: #2: PP is Targeting America's Youth
Posted by Corrina Gura on Monday, October 20th, 2008
As a logical follow up to the first segment PP Shelters Child Rapists, this post covers PP attack on America's youth-and it is yet another story of deception.
Planned Parenthood spends a lot of time "educating" youth about sex, contraceptives, and abortion. This makes sense, since kids who don't have sex don't need PP's "health care services" and PP won't make any money. They push for "comprehensive sex ed" in the schools, claiming that if kids know about contraception, unwanted pregnancies will be reduced and everyone will be happy.
If only this were true. According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute (AGI) (Planned Parenthood's Research arm), 54% of women who have abortions were on contraceptives at the time they became pregnant. AGI also reports that 8% of couples using the Pill and 15% of couples using condoms will become pregnant each year (the numbers are higher among teens, who are more likely to be lax or inconsistent in their usage of such devices). Data from the National Center for Health Statistics show that 11.7 million women are on the Pill. That means there will be 936,000 unintended pregnancies due to failure of the Pill. While this number includes all women of childbearing age, that's still a lot of teen pregnancies (recall that 17% of PP's abortions are done on teens).
Condoms also massively fail to prevent transmission of STDs, so despite the fact that they use condoms "most of the time," 3.2 million teenage girls (and presumably a similar number of teenage boys) have an STD.
Planned Parenthood criticizes abstinence education repeatedly (see some of the links below). But a recent study by the Heritage Foundation, found that teens who make pledges are likely to abstain from sex longer, thus decreasing their overall number of sexual partners and likelihood of having an STD.
Planned Parenthood doesn't want parents involved in the reproductive decisions of their children. PP documents repeatedly tell children things like, "There are many kinds of birth control. … All reversible methods are available without a parent's permission." PP's Teenwire.com advises girls seeking abortions in states with parental notification to go straight to a judge for a judicial bypass; they don't even tell her to consider talking to her parents about her pregnancy!
Strangely, this is in opposition to the results of polls on TeenWire.com (PP's website for teens), which indicate that almost half of teens would tell their parents if they were pregnant and that parents should be notified when a teen becomes pregnant-many, many teens believe their parents have a right and an obligation to be involved. Unfortunately those same polls show that 2 in 3 teens are not "comfortable" talking to their parents about sex and half say they've never spoken to their parents about sex-which is why PP has stepped in to cover the gap. I'm sure we could find a better solution than Planned Parenthood sponsored education, though! (Like, gasp, parents could start talking to their kids…)
Links for more information:
PP on Sex Ed
Check out what Planned Parenthood thinks qualifies as a "good Sex Ed program." They specify that the curriculum should begin in kindergarten and "include the 'tough' topics-masturbation, contraception, abortion, and homosexuality." They say that parents should consider, "Does the curriculum acknowledge the broad range of sexual attitudes, values, and behaviors that exist in our pluralistic society, or does it insist on a singular approach or philosophy? Does it integrate, rather than separate in special sections, information about people who are disabled or gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender?"
PP's Guide for Teens and Families
Planned Parenthood's Guide for Teens and Families has a number of disturbing tidbits as well.
* They tell teens that "We touch our sex organs for pleasure from the time we are babies. Most adults, children, and infants enjoy touching their sex organs and other parts of their bodies." They show pictures of three naked pubescent boys and three naked pubescent girls to illustrate the fact that all bodies develop at different rates.
* They tell teens that "The fetus becomes a baby at birth. A fetus doesn't breathe or eat inside a woman's uterus. The fetus gets nourishment and oxygen from the woman through the umbilical cord that connects to her. … Once it takes its first breath, the fetus is called a baby."
* As for abortion, it's just a part of nature:
"Fewer than half of all fertilized eggs become babies. Some do not attach to the uterus and leave the body in menstrual flow. Some implant, but their development ends in fewer than 20 weeks. These embryos and fetuses leave the body through the vagina. This is called miscarriage or spontaneous abortion. Sometimes women decide to end their pregnancies through a procedure called induced abortion. Sometimes a fetus dies after 20 weeks, sometimes just before or during birth. This is called a stillbirth."
* They educate teens on homosexuality:
"Whether people are gay, straight, or bisexual is usually established before puberty and before they begin having sex. Although sexual orientation may begin to develop before birth, it may seem to shift throughout life. It is not something that people can decide for themselves, or for others. … But sexual orientation is more complex and diverse than these simple labels [heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, questioning]. This kind of complexity and diversity is not limited to people. It occurs naturally throughout the animal kingdom. It is normal for boys and girls to have sex play with friends of either gender. People may also have sexy dreams and feelings about either gender. This does not mean a person is gay or straight or bisexual."
PP on Masturbation
Answers to questions on Teenwire encourage masturbation, as does the Guide for Teens and Families–because, among other reasons, "it's the safest sex" and it "is considered normal and healthy for people who have penises - and people who don't!"
Their Masturbation 101 Quiz (question 7) tells teens"One of the most important ways to learn about sexuality is through masturbation. Studies show that people who have positive feelings about their bodies, sex, and masturbation are more likely to be able to protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy, and sexual abuse."
Nobody's Fool Conference Exposed
Pro-Life Waco exposed Planned Parenthood of Central Texas' Nobody's Fool Conference. Children (grades 5 through 9) are invited to attend this conference-but their parents are not allowed to attend. They are given copies of It's Perfectly Normal and they play "contraception bingo."Planned Parenthood Teens Recruiting Peers to Planned Parenthood
Teens in Ohio were going to be paid to recruit their friends to go to Planned Parenthood. This is also happening in San Diego (scroll down to "Youth promotoras Program"). Observe that the San Diego program is geared towards the Latino population.
Planned Parenthood of Maryland has a Peer Educator Training Course which teaches teens "all of the information necessary to be educated spokespersons. The training will focus on human sexuality, reproductive health, values and decision making, relationships, contraception, teen pregnancy, teen parenthood, communication, and presentation skills."
United Way of the Big Bend supports Planned Parenthood of North Central Florida's Peer Education Program which "targets teen youth in Leon County, both male and female, who are willing and interested in learning leadership skills and sexual health information and to share that information with their peers." The word "targets" is from the original text, but I find it to be an appropriate one, don't you?
And kids who aren’t educated about sex will not have sex?
And how many unintended pregnancies would you have if people simply ceased using the pill?
More hysterical misinformation!
● Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, are highly effective in preventing the transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In addition, correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of other STDs.
● Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.
● Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of genital herpes, syphilis, chancroid, and HPV only when the infected areas are covered or protected by the condom.
● The use of latex condoms has been associated with a reduction in risk of HPV-associated diseases, such as cervical cancer.
Source: Latex Condoms and Sexually Transmitted Diseases-Prevention Messages, National Center for HIV, STD & TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
The Heritage Foundation is hardly a reliable source. Robert Rector of the Heritage Foundation claimed that many studies showed that abstinence programs were effective in reducing youth’s sexual activity. However, in a 2002 review of the ten studies cited by Rector, Douglas Kirby PhD, a widely recognized, highly reputable evaluator of sex education programs for youth, concluded that nine failed to provide credible evidence, consistent with accepted standards of research, that they delayed the initiation of sex or reduced the frequency of sex. One study provided some evidence that the program may have delayed the initiation of sex among youth 15 and younger but not among those 17 and younger.
Furthermore, according to the Waxman Report on the content of Abstinence Only Education:
(1) Abstinence-Only Curricula Contain False Information about the Effectiveness of Contraceptives
(2) Abstinence-Only Curricula Contain False Information about the Risks of Abortion (shocker!)
(3) Abstinence-Only Curricula Blur Religion and Science
(4) Abstinence-Only Curricula Contain Treat Stereotypes about Girls and Boys as Scientific Fact
(5) Abstinence-Only Curricula Contain Scientific Errors.
All accurate information.
Except the cite you refer to is an advice column. The question asked was, “do you need a parent to get the abortion pills?” The answer is no, you do not. They don’t advise NOT talking to a parent and they do not say “go straight to a judge.” They do, in fact, explain the process of judicial bypass. I realize your main objection is that you simply don’t want teens to have accurate information as to their legal rights.
I think that would be wonderful. Unfortunately, far too many parents DO NOT talk to their kids about these issues.
Of course, it should begin in kindergarten – but not with the type of information you are implying. Children should be told about “good touch/bad touch” in kindergarten to keep them safe from child predators. Is this really a bad thing? Perhaps if more RCC children had been given this information there wouldn’t have been as many victims in the sex abuse scandal.
Again, these are good things! Do you advocate teaching children bigotry or pretending that there aren’t families that are, perhaps, different from one’s own? I'm not a proponent of religion. Should my children be exempt from learning that some people are, in fact, religious?
Again, this is accurate information. What is the problem?
And the problem is…..?
Also accurate information.
Again, more accurate information. There’s only a problem if one wants to teach bigotry.
Again, this is also true. I’ve yet to meet anyone who caught an STI or had an unintended pregnancy from masturbation, have you?
Again, all true!
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:23 pm
[...] • Why PP Series: #2: PP is … [...]
October 23rd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I spent a lot of time last month updating the FAQ answers; the section on Birth Control is fleshed out pretty well and many of my arguments are made there too. This issue (like so many others) comes down to the way the study is conducted and the way the numbers are interpreted. Just like some polls show McCain down by ten and the others show him down by as little as one, we can all find statistics that agree with our personal position. I'm not going to answer your post line-by-line because it’s not like we’re ever going to agree on these issues. We view the world differently and thus we will interpret the evidence differently. I will pick out a couple of points, though (this post is split into parts, since it won’t post otherwise, it seems)
Student: And how many unintended pregnancies would you have if people simply ceased using the pill?
RESPONSE: Nice effort to misdirect. The point is that there are 936,000 women who become pregnant despite the reassurances that the Pill is ever so effective. That’s thousands of girls like the one I spoke to entering the abortion clinic two weeks ago—she didn’t particularly want an abortion, but she felt she could NOT tell her mom that she was pregnant.
If, instead of using the Pill, teen practiced abstinence, they wouldn't get pregnant. And if couples practiced NFP (which is statistically as effective as an IUD or The Pill), at least these women wouldn't be both making themselves sick with artificial hormones AND becoming pregnant when they don't want to be.
Me: "Condoms also massively fail to prevent transmission of STDs, so despite the fact that they use condoms "most of the time," 3.2 million teenage girls (and presumably a similar number of teenage boys) have an STD."
Student: "More hysterical misinformation!"
RESPONSE: The statistic of 3.2 million teenagers on WebMD comes from the CDC—they're not exactly known for being "hysterical." If teens report that they use condoms "most of the time," and condoms ARE as effective as you say, why do millions of teens have STDs?
The real problem here is "consistently and correctly"—teens don't do ANYTHING both consistently and correctly!!!
From Reuters: Teens skip condoms, regardless of partner: "Many teenagers and young adults fail to use condoms consistently, regardless of whether they have sex with a serious or a "casual" partner, a new study suggests. Researchers found that among more than 1,300 15- to 21-year-olds, those with casual sex partners had unprotected sex just as often as those in serious relationships - about 20 times over the previous three months, on average."
From Science Daily: Approximately one in four teens in the United States will contract a sexually transmitted disease (STD), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Experts believe a major contributing factor is the failure of many teens to use condoms consistently and routinely.
From Info For Health: "A 1990 analysis of US women found that only 46% of married women and 42% of never-married women who used condoms for contraception reported consistent use."
Student: Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, are highly effective in preventing the transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In addition, correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of other STDs.
October 26th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Student: Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, are highly effective in preventing the transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In addition, correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of other STDs.
RESPONSE: I love this quote from the President of Uganda after he implemented the ABC plan to slow AIDS/HIV transmission (Abstain until marriage, Be Faithful, use Condoms if A & B fail). "We are being told that only a thin piece of rubber stands between us and the death of our Continent … they (condoms) cannot become the main means of stemming the tide of AIDS."
Student: "The use of latex condoms has been associated with a reduction in risk of HPV-associated diseases, such as cervical cancer."
RESPONSE "Condoms can prevent the spread of many diseases, but not HPV. HPV is found on all the genital tissues, and a condom on the penis usually will not prevent transmission of HPV." Louisiana State University Medical Center. "Human Papillomavirus, thought of as the 'seed' of cervical cancer, is a regional rather than localized disease, and its infectivity is not contained by condoms." John V. Dervin, M.D., associate specialist in radiology and assistant clinical professor, University of California, San Francisco.
For more information about condoms, see the League's FAQ
At to whether abstinence education works or comprehensive sex ed is best—the numbers are available to support either side, like I said, it's in the interpretation:
For example, "Of the nine commonly used [comprehensive sex ed] curricula studied in the HHS report, most showed no impact in preventing teen sex, and one failed to even evaluate program effectiveness."
October 26th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Student: "All accurate information." (multiple places)
RESPONSE: "accurate" is not the same a "good" or "right" or "morally justified" We have a fundamental difference about what we believe children should be taught, at what age, and by whom. I believe that what they are giving out, claiming it is "fully accurate information" is obscured, clouded, and only partially true. Again, I could site studies, but because we view the world differently, I know that citing more studies/statistics/examples wouldn't persuade you anyway (just like yours won't persuade me).
Student: "I realize your main objection is that you simply don't want teens to have accurate information as to their legal rights."
RESPONSE: My objection is that kids can't get an aspirin from a school nurse without a note from their parents, they can't get their ears pierced or a tattoo without parental permission, and yet having an abortion is considered "a legal right." They are too young to be making these decisions without the help of those responsible for their care and well-being.
Me: They show pictures of three naked pubescent boys and three naked pubescent girls to illustrate the fact that all bodies develop at different rates.
Student: "And the problem is…..?"
RESPONSE: There are other ways to make this point without showing these images (like, they could have been wearing bathing suits!). Seriously, I was worried a co-worker was going to wander in, look at my screen, and think I was looking at porn!
Student: "Again, this is also true. I've yet to meet anyone who caught an STI or had an unintended pregnancy from masturbation, have you?"
Response: Mutual masturbation is different. Some STDs are transmitted through genital contact. And seriously, do you think it's just going to stop at masturbation? Soon it will lead to oral sex; and there are a number of STDs that are transmitted this why (herpes, for instance, can develop in the mouth)
October 26th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
It was hardly an effort to misdirect. If 936,000 became pregnant using the pill, is it not safe to assume that even more would become pregnant without using birth control. Many women with unintended pregnancies are married — should they cease having sex?
Yes, it would be a lovely world. However, it's not reality. As to NFP, I can show you just as many studies that say it's a lot of hogwash. I certainly wouldn't practice it if I didn't want to become pregnant. If it works for you - I'm happy for you.
Artificial hormones have benefits other than birth control. My physician had me use them to regulate my period and lighten the heavy flows I was experiencing. Many women have used the pill for this reason alone.
I am completely willing to accept your information from the CDC. However, what I was referring to as "hysterical" is your claim that condoms "massively fail." This is simply untrue.
I could't agree more. Unfortunately, studies show that teens who receive Abstinance only education are LESS LIKELY to use a condom when they do have sex.
So even using your data, it shows NO IMPACT in preventing teen sex. If this is true, why wouldn't you give teens information to protect themselves — especially if what you're do has NO IMPACT on preventing them from having sex in the first place?
October 26th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Do you want to put clothing on the body to study biology also? There is a difference between a medical photo and pornography.
So you would be ok if they discussed masturbation as long as it wasn't mutual? Is that what you're telling me?
October 26th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
It was hardly an effort to misdirect. If 936,000 became pregnant using the pill, is it not safe to assume that even more would become pregnant without using birth control?
** My point is that when you are abstinent, you don’t become pregnant when you don’t want to be. But it seems like we’re talking in circles here. Like I said before, because we have different worldviews and we can both come up with statistics to prove our points, we both need to admit to ourselves that we’re not going to persuade each other (which is what I thought I made clear in my other post…).
Many women with unintended pregnancies are married — should they cease having sex?
**First, I believe couples should use NFP. I believe it’s more morally acceptable and healthier.
Secondly, I believe couples shouldn’t be nearly as afraid to have children as they are. The Virgin Mary and St. Joseph were extremely poor and they did a great job of raising Jesus (every major religion looks to Him as at *least* a prophet)—I wish more people would take on this challenge.
Again, I DON'T EXPECT YOU TO AGREE, but you seemed to be asking for my opinion here.
Artificial hormones have benefits other than birth control. My physician had me use them to regulate my period and lighten the heavy flows I was experiencing. Many women have used the pill for this reason alone.
**My OBGYN refuses to prescribe birth control pills because they don’t SOLVE the underlying problem, they just cover it up. For example, I’ve been on meds for 10 years for chronic tension headaches. They make me FEEL better, but they don’t make me better (as in, fully healthy). Now I’ve started seeing a chiropractor who can treat the real cause and actually make me better. Too often we turn to pills and we shouldn’t (and, for my headaches, I’m just as guilty as others taking lots of pills).
Me: Of the nine commonly used [comprehensive sex ed] curricula studied in the HHS report, most showed no impact in preventing teen sex
Student: So even using your data, it shows NO IMPACT in preventing teen sex. If this is true, why wouldn't you give teens information to protect themselves — especially if what you're do has NO IMPACT on preventing them from having sex in the first place?
** Again, I disagree that abstinence education is as horribly flawed as you say it is. Again, we both have studies we could point to. I don't concede that abstinence ed fails–I just don't want to waste my time on an argument that won't go anywhere.
The point I wanted to make here, though, is that abstinence ed programs DO delay the onset of sexual activity (see previous sources), whereas comprehensive programs fail to do that.
Do you want to put clothing on the body to study biology also? There is a difference between a medical photo and pornography.
**OK, I dare you to sit at a public computer in a public place and read through that document. Take time to look at those pictures to notice the distinctions that they're drawing, then tell me if anyone looks at you funny for looking at pictures of naked teens.
I think the context is important too. I think it’s necessary to show a single person’s body to identify certain parts. I don’t think it’s necessary to show 3 pictures of naked boys and 3 more of naked girls.
So you would be ok if they discussed masturbation as long as it wasn't mutual? Is that what you're telling me?
**No, I think that when a person turns their focus to self pleasure instead of intercourse in its unadulterated/pure form that bad things happen. I think that masturbation is the first step to a lot of other selfish behaviors such as mutual masturbation, oral sex, and contraceptives. In each case we are trying to pleasure ourselves without completely giving of ourselves to our spouse.
October 27th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I agree that we aren’t likely to persuade each other. However, I don’t believe that most people want to remain abstinent. Most people in healthy relationships want to share sexuality with their partner.
You are entitled to your “opinion.” However, I’d hate to see your “opinion” legislated in any way.
Your OBGYN is the exception to the rule. If the problem is irregular periods, they resolve the problem quite nicely (check the ACOG site).
I’m sorry to hear about your headaches. I have a friend with a similar problem and know how miserable she feels at times. I’ve never heard of anyone getting birth control pills for headaches.
I understand that you disagree, however, even YOUR evidence shows no impact on preventing teens frm becoming sexually active. And for the record, I’m not the one saying AO education is “horribly flawed” (although I personally believe that it is based on the evidence), those saying it are experts and have studied it thoroughly (primarily in a failed effort to advance your cause). See the Waxman Report.
Does my office count? I pulled it up this morning (and even showed it to 5 people) and nobody seemed to have a problem with it. Perhaps these folks don’t have their mind in the gutter and are capable of looking at a sexual health issue without the need for a seeing a prurient agenda where none exists?
So because you think it’s “bad,” the information shouldn’t be available for others? I think religion is “bad.” Since I feel this way, should all talk of religion be banned?
Why do you think mutual masturbation and oral sex is selfish?
October 29th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Red Alert: Merck, the company that produces Gardisil, is trying to do major damage control about their vaccine. They had 3 doctors hired by Merck try to court docs (at a huge dinner conference) to continue giving the vaccine after deaths reported after administering the vaccine. Doctors are backing off giving the vaccine due to the liability issues and insurance not paying for it. Reports of severe pain, fainting, girls breaking out in warts, paralysis, etc. Abstinence is still the only 100% prevention against STDs, pregnancy, emotional, mental and social consequences of sex before marriage. PP still promoting and selling promiscuous, dangerous sexual behavior. Teenwire.com and takecaredownthere.org (oh, they took that vile website down promoting threesomes, homosexual oral sex, etc.) after it was exposed on tv and newspaper articles. I wonder why?
October 29th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Please Prolifers pray for the youth of this nation. More than anything they need to know how special, valuable and unique they are. That they are worth waiting for. Their hearts, their health, their minds, their future goals, future marriages and future children are all connected with them making good healthy decisions, having healty relationships, avoiding risky, dangerous behaviors and developing the self-control, self-respect, discipline, respect for others, strength of character and strength of keeping commitments that abstinence adds to their life. We are definitely at a crossroads in this nation for the hearts and minds of our youth. They are our future. May God help the United States of America.
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:59 pm
What should I do? I'm married, and I've been using NFP, but I STILL got pregnant. And we can't afford an eighth baby. What should we do?
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Jill–It sounds like a very difficult and complex situation. I don't want to sound flippant, like adoption is some easy decision, but you might want to at least call and talk with a social worker. I worked with Sunny Ridge Family Center when I was placed with my two children through adoption, and I have nothing but good to say about them. Only about a quarter of the women they work with actually decide to place their children for adoption, so it's not like they'll snatch your baby away the minute you call. They'll just help you understand your options, and they would be able to help you find financial and emotional resources to help you if you decide to parent. I hope you call, or that you find the help you need elsewhere. The phone number is 754-4500, and the website is http://www.sunnyridge.org
June 24th, 2009 at 3:32 pm