Abstinence-Only Programs Rebrand Themselves With The Term ‘Sexual Risk Avoidance’
With plans to renew funding for abstinence-based sexual education programs looming, those behind such programs are attempting an image rebranding, renaming themselves sexual risk avoidance programs. Such linguistic wordplay is an attempt to project an image of public health promotion. Salon has a great write-up on why this may or may not work.
Plans for Yet Another Sex Ed Phone App Are Announced
Three female founders have created a non-profit called MyHealthEd, Inc., dedicated to “transforming health education for teens using technology.” Their first product is Real Talk, an app for which they’ve received a $325,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Adolescent Health, and $25,000 in funding from a student entrepreneurship prize at Yale. The app targets middle school-aged youth and up, in an attempt at early intervention. You can read more about the app here.
Schools in Cambodia Plan to Introduce LGBTQ Sex Ed
The Cambodian government is considering a proposal to introduce sex ed lessons on what it means to be LGBTQ. The courses, which will also include age-appropriate education on sexuality and gender, would be taught starting in first grade, and would go straight through senior year of high school.
“Opt Out” Bill Struck Down by Nevada Governor
A couple months ago, we mentioned that parents in Nevada were displeased with the proposal of a bill that would change the present sex ed opt-in policy to opt out. Well, parents can breathe a sigh of relief, as the governor has vetoed the bill.
California School District to Move Forward in Testing Out New Sex Ed Curriculum
The ongoing saga in California’s Cupertino Union School District continues. The most recent news has the district testing out a new curriculum next spring. This curriculum—Positive Prevention PLUS—will be tested next with seventh- and eighth-grade students.
