In a striking move, the Trump administration has decided to cut more than $200 million from programs aimed at preventing teen pregnancies, opting instead to promote abstinence-based sexual education. The announcement comes at a time when the teen birth rate in the U.S. has been on a steady decline, reaching a historic low of 20.3 births per 1,000 girls in 2016—a remarkable 64% drop since 1991. This decline is largely attributed to better access to contraception and comprehensive sex education. However, the administration seems intent on reversing this trend by slashing funding from over 80 initiatives funded through the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPP).
Institutions such as the Baltimore City Health Department and Planned Parenthood of Greater Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands have learned that their funding for the remaining two years of their five-year grants has been cut. Many program leaders, like Professor Linda Carter, expressed their shock and disbelief at the decision, stating they were “stunned” when they received the news in their annual grant letters.
It’s not surprising that this administration would make such a choice. After all, they seem to operate under the philosophy that if something is working, it’s likely because they aren’t aware of it yet. The administration recently appointed Valerie Huber, a strong advocate for abstinence education, to a key position in the Department of Health and Human Services under Tom Price, who also endorses abstinence-only education.
Scientific evidence has not influenced this decision-making process, as shown by a recent NPR report highlighting that in Texas, where abstinence-only education is prevalent, some areas have a teen birth rate nearly double the national average. Furthermore, Texas has the highest rate of repeat teen pregnancies in the country.
Why shift away from effective methods? The reasons might boil down to a few outdated beliefs:
- Sex is shameful.
- Young people shouldn’t have sex because it’s ‘dirty.’
- Teenagers are inherently disciplined and will heed adult advice to delay sexual activity.
This approach appears to disregard the realities of teenage life.
Cutting funding for effective programs to uphold a specific moral stance places the futures of our youth—especially young girls—at risk. This is motivated, in part, by a discomfort among some adults to engage in open discussions about sex, rather than a genuine concern for teen welfare.
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Summary
The Trump administration has cut over $200 million from programs designed to prevent teen pregnancy, shifting the focus to abstinence-based education despite a significant decline in teen birth rates attributed to comprehensive sex education and contraception access. This controversial decision has left many program leaders shocked, as the administration appears to prioritize ideological beliefs over scientific evidence, potentially jeopardizing the well-being of young girls.
Keyphrase: Teen Pregnancy Prevention Cuts
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