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What can you do?
In order to fully understand the implications of creating policy and programs that will be effective with a diverse population base, the Get Real About Teen Pregnancy public education campaign conducted a 12-month study to gather information and assess attitudes about this important topic. Two things became clear during this research. First, a “one size fits all” approach does not apply to specific ethnic communities any more than it does across the board. Second, culturally-diverse parents have one thing in common – they all want what’s best for their children, including a future filled with opportunities for success.
Additional recommendations from stakeholders to policymakers included:
- Recognize that policies must consider the tremendous variability in experiences, outlook, traditions and resources available in these communities.
- Support resources for a broad range of teenage pregnancy prevention efforts. These include school-based sexuality education and easily accessible teen health clinics.
- Support programs that train adults on how to work and interact with young people on a variety of levels.
- Expand programs that train teen peer-educators to work at health clinics and in middle and high schools.
- Mandate that state-supported HIV education be broadened to include more information on all sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Continue to support, and increase support for, male responsibility-focused outreach and training.
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