Keeping Wisconsin's Young Adults Informed Senate Republicans have been circulating legislation to overturn Wisconsin's Healthy Youth Act. This new legislative proposal seeks to deny Wisconsin's youth vital education information regarding contraceptives and sexually transmitted disease prevention.
Wisconsinites Support Comprehensive Sex Education
Statistics show that comprehensive sex education is valued by a vast majority of Wisconsinites. According to the Wisconsin Alliance for Women's Health, approximately 87% of Wisconsin voters support requiring comprehensive sex education instruction that includes information about both abstinence and contraception.
The medical community is also strongly supportive of human growth and development classes, such as the Healthy Youth Act. This includes well-respected, nonpartisan organizations like the American Medical Association, the American School Health Association and the Institute of Medicine.
What Makes Sex Education Classes Effective?Effective, medically-accurate, and age-appropriate human growth and development courses should discuss and provide information on the following items:
Recognizing and preventing sexual abuse and dating violence
Understanding the physical and emotional changes of puberty and adolescence
Healthy relationships including family, friends and dating
Healthy life skills such as goal-setting, decision-making and stress management
How drugs and alcohol impair judgment
The importance of abstinence as the only certain way to prevent unintended pregnancy and STDs
How to prevent pregnancy and STDs through correct use of birth control methods
Healthy Youth Act Helps Our Community
The positive impact of the Healthy Youth Act on Wisconsin's young adults can be seen right here in our community. According to the Milwaukee Health Department, Milwaukee's teen birthrate has dropped dramatically for the second year in a row. From 2008 to 2009, the rate fell from 46.73 births per 1,000 teens to 41.30 births per 1,000 teens. Preliminary data released this past Tuesday show a drop to 35.68 births per 1,000 teens in 2010.
Information is Key to Success of Our Young AdultsThe legislative proposal recently introduced by Governor Walker and Senate Republicans is yet another example of their attempts to keep Wisconsinites in the dark by suppressing vital information from the public. The Legislature should be focusing on ensuring that all Wisconsinites, including our young adults, have equal and adequate access to vital information on health care issues, including sexual health. I will continue doing what I can to ensure that we are providing such information to protect our citizens from preventable health issues, including sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancy.
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