New Sex Education Campaign Aimed at Parents

New Sex Education Campaign Aimed at Parents

On Thursday in Kansas City, Mo., officials from the Department of Health and Human Services introduced the Parents Speak Up National Campaign. The campaign urges parents to talk to their children about waiting until marriage to have sex.

"During my time as a pediatrician and a public health official, I've learned that parents often need additional tools when dealing with tough issues facing their children," said Dr. John Agwunobi, assistant secretary for health. "There are few issues tougher or more important to discuss than sex."

The campaign will receive $8.5 million a year and will include television, radio, and print public service announcements (PSAs), plus a Web site to help parents initiate the discussion, said Dan Schneider, acting assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families. Some TV spots are aimed at general audiences while others target black and Hispanic audiences.

The PSAs, directed at parents with children ages 10-13, will start airing around the beginning of the school year. Although organizations such as Planned Parenthood have opposed abstinence-only programs, Schneider does not believe this is a controversial approach.

"Encouraging parents to speak to their children about sex and share their values so that kids can make informed decisions and know the facts. That is something that I hope everybody can support," Schneider said. He noted research had shown children want to hear from their parents about sex.

Besides the PSAs, the campaign has joined with three national community outreach centers to focus on raising awareness of the campaign in the black, Hispanic, and Native American communities.

Associated Press (06.21.07):: Caryn Grant

We are providing the above information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases does not constitute endorsement. The above summaries were prepared without conducting any additional research or investigation into the facts and statements made in the articles being summarized, and therefore readers are expressly cautioned against relying on the validity or invalidity of any statements made in these summaries. This CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on MMWR articles, fact sheets and announcements.

STDWeB provides only health screening services. Tests are provided only for personal information and/or risk identification purposes. STDWeB does not diagnose or treat medical conditions. STDWeB screenings do not take the place of a physician care. Transactions with STDWeB are confidential and will not be shared with third parties. Tests with "positive" or "indeterminate" result may require confirmatory testing and may involve additional charges.