SBCs Won't Fix STDs
By Catherina Hurlburt
March/April 2001 Family Voice

In the ABCs of adolescent health-sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like HPV, HIV and AIDS-interest groups like Planned Parenthood (PP) insist the “SBC,” school-based clinic, is the answer to the STD epidemic.

The National Survey of Adolescent Males (1995) revealed males ages 15 to 19 are increasingly involved in risky sexual behavior. Hearing incomplete messages, teens conclude any sexual behavior, other than actual intercourse, is “abstinence.” But those behaviors put them at serious risk.

Family Planning Perspectives, published by pro-abortion Alan Guttmacher Institute, reported that a health screening among Georgia middle school students found several girls had an STD in their throats.

These findings are shocking. As usual, PP's response is condoms. However, Family Planning Perspectives (March/April 1992) reported condoms don't effectively protect against many STDs, including chlamydia, and provide little protection against human papilloma virus (HPV), which is incurable. HPV is linked to, and chlamydia increases the risk for, cervical cancer, which kills about 5,000 women a year.

Conversations and condoms from SBCs do not protect, or respect, teens. Equipping them with faulty devices to continue destructive behavior only exacerbates the problem.

SBCs and similar programs “have not done what we think is necessary for the young people of America to eliminate the risk of disease,” said Dr. Joe McIlhaney, founder and president of the Medical Institute for Sexual Health.

SBCs also “undermine parental authority,” added Dr. John Diggs, a medical consultant for National Abstinence Clearinghouse and member of the Physician's Consortium. “Parents don't realize the full scope of what is available, [which includes] abortion referrals.” Dr. Diggs noted SBCs encourage sexual activity, giving youth a false sense of protection.

“People underestimate the power of the school as an authority figure,” said Dr. Diggs.

“It's time for America to enter a new paradigm-encouraging young people to avoid sexual activity until they are married,” urged Dr. McIlhaney.

While S-B-C merely spells trouble, A-B-S-T-I-N-E-N-C-E from all sexual activities until marriage spells a better future for our nation's youth.

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