“The battle today between those who are advocating against the Department of Education’s sex education curriculum in schools and those in favor of the ‘safe sex’ curriculum approach neglects the most obvious solution: today’s New York City youth need a balanced sexual education program that teaches them everything from abstinence to condom use as well as reinforces a positive self-image,” said The Children’s Aid Society President and CEO Richard Buery. “The reality is that in many cases young people will engage in early and sometimes inappropriate sexual behavior, but we cannot ignore abstinence as an option. A program that would best serve these children would emphasize a broader offering, including understanding puberty, parental discussions about sexuality and sexual expression, abstinence, body image, gender and social roles and other age and stage developmental needs. I cannot emphasize enough to the Chancellor and the Mayor, and to advocates and opponents of the current curriculum, the dire need for a comprehensive, well-balanced sexuality education program.
Dr. Michael Carrera and Children’s Aid Society staff have spent 27 years working with NYC youth to find the most effective, compelling ways to talk to students about sexual education. Together, they have developed the CAS-Carrera Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program, which uses a holistic approach to empower youth; helps them develop personal goals and cultivate the desire for a productive future; develops their sexual literacy; and educates them about the consequences of sexual activity. New York City should look to this balanced model when developing its sex-education program.”
The Children’s Aid Society is an independent, not-for-profit organization established to serve the children of New York City. Our mission is to help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive supports to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Founded in 1853, it is one of the nation’s largest and most innovative non-sectarian agencies, serving New York’s neediest children. Services are provided in community schools, neighborhood centers, health clinics and camps. For additional information, please call Anthony Ramos at (212) 949-4938/ (347) 439-7727, email anthonyr@childrensaidsociety.org or visit www.childrensaidsociety.org.
###