Not Only Abstinence-Only

Tracy Clark-Flory casts a critical eye on an AP story declaring, "New sex ed funding ends decade of abstinence-only":

Indeed, it's true that [HHS] handed out $155 million in grants to teen pregnancy prevention programs "that have been shown to be effective through rigorous research as well as the testing of new, innovative approaches to combating teen pregnancy." Abstinence-only programs are not evidence-based and have been shown to fail spectacularly -- so, they don't get any of this multi-million-dollar jackpot.

But, here's the thing: They are still getting money.

[...T]he HHS press release, which leaves this minor detail until the verrry end: "[M]ore than $33 million is being issued today for abstinence programs in 29 states and Puerto Rico." (Cue the sad trombone.) This is part of an eleventh-hour provision in the healthcare bill that sets aside $250 million for abstinence programs over the next five years.

Meanwhile, Bristol ramps up her advocacy campaign with a $10K speech at a Right to Life event in California:

While promoting abstinence may not be new for the teen mom, who’s already a teen ambassador for the Candie’s Foundation, her Facebook recap of the Visalia event echoes the messaging of the pro-life movement, underscoring her increasingly public role as a pro-life advocate. It’s a message that’s right on track with the Palin brand ...

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