In a Heartbeat: Do you remember your first crush?

The butterflies in your stomach, a racing heart and utter speechlessness, the film produced by Beth David and Esteban Bravo, perfectly captures the feelings of having a crush.  What the duo from Ringling College of Art and Design managed to convey was not only the emotions of seeing a crush but also "the experience of countless LGBTQ youth".  The film is about "a young boy struggling to come to terms with his feelings for a handsome peer" and the emotions present is relatable across all boundaries.  

At More Than Sex Ed, we understand that communication is vital to a healthy relationship.  Although it can be hard to talk to your crush, More than Sex-Ed provides workshops that are supportive of relationship communication for kids and teens.  To learn more about workshops, check out our website at morethansex-ed.org ! 

What West Virginia can teach us about comprehensive sex education

"Of every eight babies that were born in West Virginia, one was born to a teen mother."

PBS Newshour reports on the rising trend of teen pregnancy and birth rates in West Virginia and how, surprisingly, it has led to comprehensive sex education.  Although the trend across the nation has been declining, the exact opposite is happening in West Virginia.  As of May, West Virginia "has the eighth highest teen birth rate of the fifty states."

Here at More than Sex-Ed, we support the comprehensive sex education taking place in West Virginia.  As studies have shown, traditional sex education is not effective in reducing teen pregnancy and birth rates. That is why it is now more important than ever to implement comprehensive sex education in our schools.  

Warning : Teen Pregnancy Programs Defunded!

Programs geared towards preventing teen pregnancy, amounting up to $213 million dollars, have been defunded by the Trump Administration. 

The US Department of Health and Human Services have decided to end the grants given out by the last administration for programs "designed to find scientifically valid ways to help teenagers make healthy decisions that avoid unwanted pregnancies."  The move towards abstinence focused programs instead follow the stance Secretary Tom Price supports.  Over 80 institutions nationwide will lose funding for programs that seek to lower the teen pregnancy rates.  The unprecedented decision to stop funding of long term projects immediately have shocked many researchers who noted the action to be "highly unusual and wasteful". 

"More than a quarter of U.S. girls become pregnant by 20."

Although the rate of teen pregnancy in the states is high relative to other industrialized nations, the defunding of programs may potentially slow the trend of declining teen birth rates in America.  Researchers and project leaders noted that the decision to cancel all funding immediately came from the recently appointed chief of staff, Valerie Huber.  Huber's past work with pro-abstinence programs reaffirms the shocking decision to end grants for research is driven by personal agenda and not by scientific research.  

The current administration is flagrantly denying the data and aggressively cutting the educational outreach that has been proven to work!  Here at More than Sex-Ed, we support the teens that need these programs and services.  If you would like help donate to support programs and services that help reduce the teen birth rates, please click on this link.  Your recurring donation allows us to continue research and projects that help teens. 

Teen Pregnancy: A Surprising New Study!

A recent published study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  shows that use of contraception among teens has led to "a historic low" in teen pregnancy rates in the States. 

"The teen pregnancy and birth rate dropped to 22.3 births per 1,000 teens in 2015, compared to a whopping 62 births per 1,000 in 1991. "

Other interesting finding from the study mentions that among sexually active teens the most popular form of contraception used were condoms.  When analyzing a report put together by the Guttmacher Institute, consistent condom use has increased among teens "from 46.2% to 63%".   Although it is easy to conclude that the increased access to condoms in high schools is the cause of the decline, one case study reveals the complexity of this issue.  The Atlantic published an article noting that condom access without sex education can increase teen pregnancy rates.  It is important to mention that other forms of contraception, specifically long term intrauterine devices, led to lower rates of teen pregnancy. 

We at More than Sex-ed believe that it is healthiest for young teens to postpone sex.  When studies show that abstinence only sex education do not delay sexual activity, it is time to consider comprehensive sex education that also includes contraception.

What's Happening to My Body?

Here at More Than Sex-Ed, we believe that kids can learn to be responsible for their sexuality without shame. 

When a child asks "What's happening to my body?", they deserve to have their question answered accurately.  And while we know that not every kid going through puberty fits neatly into a standard binary gender box of either pink or blue, as of now, publishers have not stepped up with material that addresses the true level of diversity to include trans and intersex identities. In the meantime, More Than Sex-Ed would love to talk with your group of parents about the fantastic diversity of human sexual identity and help you find accurate language to use with your kids.

 But if you need a book right now with reliable information regarding puberty,  here is a list of book recommendations, with the caveat that you will also need to say that not all boys have penises, and not all girls have vulvas, clitorises, uteruses, and vaginas. And you should recognize that it's healthy for kids to know about puberty in bodies that are different from their own.

The bestselling series "What's Happening to My Body? : Book for Boys/Girls" by Lynda Madaras, Area Madaras, and Simon Sulivan provides a vast amount of information ranging from body hair, growth spurts, to romantic feelings.  With "detailed illustrations and real-life stories throughout, plus an introduction for parents and a helpful resource section," this book is a must have for parents.  

For parents of people with ovaries and uteruses in their household, "Period. A Girls' Guide" by JoAnn Loulan, Bonnie Worthen, Marcia Quackenbush, and Chris Wold Dyrud can help start the dialogue around menstruation.  Although this text "use diagrams to familiarize readers with the inner workings of their bodies, including what happens during menstruation", it does not discuss puberty and sexuality as thoroughly as "What's Happening to My Body".  This book is focused specifically on the topic of menstruation.  

Lastly, "The Caring and Keeping of You 2: The Body Book for Older Girls" by Cara Natterson and Josee Masse is a helpful resource book for kids ages 10 and older.  Published by American Girl, this book discusses "the physical and emotional changes" as well as peer pressure and personal care.  This book, like the other recommendations, promotes responsible education about sexuality without shame.    

For more book recommendations on puberty and sexuality, please check out the More Than Sex-Ed Blog! 

Puberty: It's Perfectly Normal and Other Book Recommendations

One of our core values here at More Than Sex-ed is that "knowledge is power and kids have the right to have their questions answered."

For parents who are having trouble starting the dialogue on this topic, here are some book recommendations that make it easier to begin that conversation.  

"It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie Harris is a critically acclaimed book that "offers young people the real information they need to make responsible decisions that can help them stay healthy as they approach and experience puberty and adolescence." 

Another great title is "Will Puberty Last My Whole Life?" by Julie Metzger, RN, MN, and Robert Lehman, MD . This flip book offers "Straightforward, age-appropriate answers to REAL questions from preteens." 

Lastly, "Sex is a Funny Word" by Corey Silverberg has been described by Buzzfeed as "A Total Game-Changer" and "nothing short of revolutionary."  The text discusses not only puberty but consent, gender identity and body norms.   

Look for these books at your local bookstore or online vendor!  Tune in next week for more book recommendations on the topic of Puberty. 

The Abstinence Advocate Who Will Oversee American Sex Education→

Valerie Huber has been appointed by the Trump administration as the chief of staff for the Department of Health and Human Services.

What is the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) responsible for? 

"HHS administers more than 100 programs in medicine, public health, and social services. The department also oversees the Office of Adolescent Health, which is the main area of concern for advocates of comprehensive sex education. The office conducts research and training on preventing teen pregnancy and STDs".

Before appointment, Huber worked as the CEO for the organization Ascend.  Ascend promotes the traditional approach of sex education through abstinence or sexual risk avoidance. Huber is also known for supporting the program "Choosing the Best". This program is geared towards juniors and seniors in high school with the goal of "asking students to take a commitment and abstinence pledge".  Huber's stance "that mainstream culture normalizes premarital sex and contraceptives" shows her support for abstinence only education. 

When analyzing data from states that provide abstinence only sex education, it is clear that states with traditional approaches to sex education are ineffective in reducing teen birth rates.  For example, Texas is one of the states with abstinence only programs as the main form of sex education and the teen pregnancy rates are among the highest in the nation.  It is clear that " Huber's aversion toward comprehensive sex education ignores national data". 

Here at More Than Sex-ed, we promote open and honest dialogue about the state of sexual education.  Although we believe it is healthy for teens to postpone sexual intercourse, abstinence only education is ineffective in reducing teen pregnancy and birth rates.  When analyzing the available data, it is obvious that comprehensive sex education is more effective in reducing teen pregnancy and birth rates.   

Texas lawmakers fail to take action on skyrocketing pregnancy-related deaths→

Facts matter. At More Than Sex-Ed we strive for frank discussion based on the best available data. Legislative policy in Texas has reduced women's access to reproductive health care with deadly results. It's time for those legislators to step up for child-bearing Texans who lack the care they need.

Researchers at University of Maryland conducted a study that found Texas' rate of " maternal mortality rate doubled between 2010 and 2012."

A task force was assembled in 2013 to identify and combat the reasons for the increase.  Lisa Hollier, the chairwoman of the committee, explains that part of the reason for the rise in maternal mortality rates are due to cardiac related problems.  Unfortunately, Hollier notes that there are still no solid "intervention programs" that addresses the problem.  

Republican Senator, Lois Kolkhorst and Democrat State Rep. Shawn Thierry both proposed different ways to confront the issue.  Senator Kolkhorst introduced legislation that would continue Hollier's task force until 2023.  This would allow more in depth analysis of pregnancy related deaths by teams of specialists.  Due to time restraints, Senator Kolkhorst's legislation must wait until next session.  

State Rep. Thierry had a different approach to address the " skyrocketing rate of pregnancy-related deaths" in Texas by focusing on a key finding of the task force.  The task force had discovered that Black women were more vulnerable to pregnancy related deaths.  Rep. Thierry hoped to "compare the risk of black women in different income brackets".  Unfortunately for Rep. Thierry, her proposal was dismissed.  

NPR : In Texas, Abstinence-Only Programs May Contribute To Teen Pregnancies

"Research shows teens everywhere are having sex, with about half of high school students saying they've had sexual intercourse. Gwen Daverth, CEO of the Texas Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, says the high numbers in Texas reflect policy, not promiscuity. "

A majority of high schools in Texas provide abstinence only sex education or "doesn't offer sexual education at all".  The results from Texas policy translate into some of the highest teen pregnancy rates in America.  Although teen birth rates are declining across the country, states that favor abstinence as the main form of sexual education are seeing a slower decline.  This NPR program gives context on the issue through Jessica Chester's experience.     

Our own Emmalinda MacLean, discusses developmentally appropriate sex-ed on "The Doctors"

Emmalinda MacLean, co-founder of More Than Sex-Ed, was invited to The Doctors to discuss a controversial sex education book for young children. “Mommy Laid an Egg, or Where Do Babies Come From?” by English author Babbette Cole.

This lighthearted and zany book was published in 1993, and takes the offbeat approach that the parents don't understand where babies come from, and that the kids do a really brilliant job of explaining things to mom and dad. It became a recent internet meme when many social media voices questioned its developmental appropriateness.

Take a look at the book yourself, and let us know what you think!

Essential Viewing: Gender Revolution: A Journey With Katie Couric

We have been talking to a bunch of parent groups lately about sexual identity...a topic that that so many of us struggle to understand. This National Geographic documentary is so very timely and is a excellent primer on this really important aspect of human identity.