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Obama Budget Cuts Funds for Abstinence-Only Sex Ed
By Harry Kimball
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Posted May 7, 09 6:35 PM CDT
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(Newser)
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Take that, Bristol. The Obama administration seeks to cut most federal funding for abstinence-only sex education programs, the Wall Street Journal reports. Obama's proposed budget for 2010 would scrap two programs that fund abstinence education—with $145 million—and replace them with a $160 million initiative that funnels 75% of the funds to proven, non-abstinence-based education.
That 75% would go to programs subject to “rigorous evaluation” of their ability to deter pregnancy. Still unclear: Whether Congress will approve, the Journal notes. “The Obama administration deserves praise for bringing science and evidence back to public health policy,” says an advocate. Abstinence proponents are not thrilled. Students “say the skills they are receiving are helping them achieve their goals—not just saying no to sex but a plan for the future,” one said.