The Obama administration is placing a solid focus on sexual education. Yeah, we’ve been hearing this from pretty much every politician for years, but there is a new shift in thought that, while “abstinence should be the core message of any federally funded program,” the federal government is going to explore more comprehensive sex ed programs.
This year’s federal budget is devoting more than $114 million to what it calls an “evidence-based approach.” Abstinence-only programs will still be funded, but most of the money will go to communities that choose programs that have shown they reduce teen pregnancy.
Few have more experience with teen sexuality education and adolescent development than Michael Carrera, a well-known expert in the field. His interest in preventing teen pregnancy goes back to his experiences as a junior high school teacher in the Bronx 50 years ago.