By Julie Witthoeft News-Review Online Editor
Friday, April 18, 2008 8:28 AM EDT
State health department statistics show one in every 29 teenage girls in Emmet County was pregnant in 2006 and one in 33 was pregnant in Charlevoix County.
“With teen pregnancy, it’s no new news to anyone. It usually results in a huge expense to society. That teen mom will struggle economically and may not get an advanced education. And we’ve seen the cycle reproduces itself, with teen moms having children that become teen moms,” Shelley Paulsen, medical manager with Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan, said.
Health officials claim the keys to keeping teens from becoming moms are education and persistent parents.
“Our youth are bombarded with sexual messages in the media like no other population before. We can’t put blinders on and say, ‘They won’t do that.’ Give them the tools. Tell them the risks and how they can reduce them,” said Justin Tabor, education specialist with Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan, of the importance of sex education.
To gauge perceptions of sex education and what’s being taught, we asked local educators what they’re doing in the classroom to help buck the trend and asked teens if they’re satisfied with the education they’re getting.
THE LAW
In June 2004, Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed legislation pertaining to sex education programs in Michigan public schools.
The law requires half of the members on local sex education advisory boards be parents and that HIV education be presented at the elementary, middle and high school levels at all public schools.
“There was some concern on a number of levels. One, parents need to be more involved in recommendations for what teens are taught. And two, school districts were not emphasizing abstinence,” Laurie Bechhofer, HIV/STD education consultant for the Michigan Department of Education, said of the impetus behind the legislation.
While the law does not mandate sex education programs that extend beyond a discussion of HIV and AIDS, it does require programs that are offered to emphasize abstinence and to address 11 specific issues. Those issues include family planning, human sexuality, and the emotional, physical, psychological, hygienic, economic and social aspects of family life. Instruction may also include reproductive health and the recognition, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
While sex education outside of the required HIV/AIDS introduction is optional, Bechhofer said voluntary instruction varies across school districts and many offer an extensive program.
She said, “89 percent of districts do offer sex education even though they’re not required.”
While these requirements and recommendations are in place, no one at the state level monitors districts to make sure they are meeting the benchmarks.
“There’s no state funding to oversee it. The state provides technical assistance,” Bechhofer said.
School districts create sex education advisory committees made up of students, health teachers and parents to guide the program.
Students cannot be enrolled in family planning or reproductive health classes unless their parent or guardian is notified in advance and give consent for their child to participate.
Bechhofer said some parents opt out because they believe these courses encourage students to be sexually active.
“Some people are concerned if you talk about things and teach students, they are more likely to engage in risky behavior. Research has not shown this education encourages teens to engage in risky behavior,” she said.
SCHOOL PROGRAMS
At Charlevoix High School the sexual education program administrator is Ken Plude. In the past five years he’s had about three kids opt out of the program. He said he’s never asked why but expects moral reasons for the decision.
This year, physical education teacher at Harbor Springs High School, Nancy Paige, said she had one student out of 70 in the class opt out.
Paige said in some cases parents feel they are doing an adequate job at home and this may be one place where sex ed curriculum needs to be stepped up.
Tabor said many parents lean on schools to tackle the task of teaching their children about sex and they’re passing the buck to the wrong teacher.
“Parents are the most effective tool. They are the most important resource. Kids tend to care more about what their parents think than anyone else. The conversations teens have with their parents weigh the strongest with their actions. It’s not one big talk, it’s an ongoing conversation and it’s a difficult conversation to have,” Tabor said.
Emily Knitter, a junior at Petoskey High School said, the awkward dialog can be an inhibitor.
“I personally find it really awkward to talk to my parents about that subject still, and I'm a junior. So I really don't use them as a source very often,” she said.
Tabor suggests parents initiate discussion during “teachable moments” when images or talk of sex are presented. Asking questions like, “What would you do? Or, how does that make you feel?”
Cody Pieffer, a junior at Petoskey High School, said his parents talk openly about the pitfalls of sex with him and he described the high schools’ sex education program as “satisfactory.”
Petoskey High School health instructor Barbara Kennedy said the abstinence based program is about 10 days and is taught in conjunction with the health education curriculum students are required to take during one of their four years in high school. While most students are freshmen, others are upperclassmen.
The program covers relationships, HIV and teen pregnancy and incorporates peer educators and community specialists.
Tabor said Planned Parenthood advocates medically accurate, comprehensive sex education. He said programs at Petoskey High School, Charlevoix High School, Harbor Springs High School and Boyne City High School are meeting the mark, and added there’s room for improvement at East Jordan High School.
At Harbor Springs High School, sex education is incorporated into the students’ curriculum with portions covered in 10th grade biology and others in a required physical education class students take during one of four years in high school. The program is administered over the course of about two weeks.
Paige said her school district contracts with the Women’s Resource Center. Carrie Sundstrom, community prevention educator for the Women’s Resource Center, brings the “Just the Facts” program into a co-ed classroom. The program touches on abstinence, relationships, sexually transmitted diseases, date rape, pregnancy, contraception and dating violence.
“With a focus on relationships a lot of other things will fall in place,” Paige said.
When asked what role abstinence plays in the lesson, Paige said, “That’s huge. The bad thing is we can’t teach just abstinence. Some kids are already doing it and that’s all there is to it. So, we teach it all.”
Paige, who has been teaching physical education for 37 years, said she’s watched a sexual evolution.
“It’s changed. It’s pretty out in the open now. I don’t know if behaviors have changed much, but you hear more about it now. The kids are more educated as to how they handle it and they have more avenues to explore for help,” she explained.
East Jordan High School also brings Sundstrom in for the “Just the Facts” program. But Becky Redmer, who teaches the program, said it’s a modified version condensed to about four hours in a student’s freshman year.
“They (East Jordan students) are getting what they need,” Redmer said of the program.
While some area schools are meeting the comprehensive mark, to really make a difference Tabor feels sex education should be introduced every year.
“In a few hours, you can only cover so much information. Relationships, values, communication are important for healthy human sexuality. It should be an ongoing class. The more information, the better,” he said.
RESOURCES
Planned Parenthood — From noon-1 p.m. on April 23, Planned Parenthood, located at 1003 Spring St. in Petoskey will offer “Talking to your kids about STDs and STIs” a course to help parents talk to kids about sex. Call 347-3710 ext. 13 to register.
Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency — The Reproductive Health Program provides confidential contraceptive clinical services and education. Services include: Physical exam, pap smear, sexually transmitted disease testing, pregnancy testing and options counseling, emergency contraceptive/morning after pill, birth control methods issued at clinic, health counseling and referrals as needed, pre-conceptional counseling, HIV counseling and testing. Parental consent is not required. Clinics are staffed by certified female nurse practitioners. Call (800) 432-4121 or 547-0295 for more information, or to make an appointment.
Maternal and Infant Health Program — These programs through the Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency assist families with pregnant women or young children by providing information on pregnancy, preparation for the baby, infant care, infant feeding and parenting. Childbirth education classes and help with transportation costs are available. Services are available to families with Medicaid and may be provided at the health department or in a family's home. Call 547-0295 for more information, or to make an appointment.
Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program — WIC through the Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency provides free food to women who are pregnant and breastfeeding, and infants and children up to age 5. A family may have many members participating in WIC. Each person's food package is valued at $50 per month and includes milk, eggs, cheese, cereal, juice, peanut butter and infant formula. Medical, nutritional and financial needs are reviewed to determine WIC eligibility. Immunizations are also provided at WIC appointments. Call 547-0295 for more information, or to make an appointment.
New Horizons — New Horizons Center in the Early Childhood Education Center is located at 321 Park St. in Boyne City. New Horizons is operated by the Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District with direct service from the health department and Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan. It is tailored to meet the needs of pregnant and parenting teens and their young children. The program offers academic classes as well as parenting, nutrition, life skills and recreation classes during the school year. It is open to teens who are pregnant or have young children and want to complete their high school diploma. Currently, 16 students are enrolled. Teen fathers are also welcome. For more information, call 439-8165.
Women’s Resource Center programs — Free counseling and support services are available to teens who are pregnant or have children under age 4. The center also offers one on one home visits and assists in referring clients to the agencies that can best address their individual needs. For more information, call 347-0067 or visit the center at 423 Porter St. in Petoskey.
Related Links:
Tips for communicating with parents
Advocates for Youth
Sexuality and HIV/STD Prevention Education
Julie Witthoeft 439-9355 - jwitthoeft@petoskeynews.com