For more than 10 years, North Carolina law required teachers to tell teenagers they were "expected" to abstain from "sexual activity outside of marriage." But abstinence-only education didn't have the lasting effect on teenagers that lawmakers hoped.
According to the state health department, from 2003 to 2007, the teen pregnancy rate rose more than 12 percent. North Carolina now has the ninth-highest teen pregnancy rate in the country.
Beginning with the 2010 school year, school districts must begin offering broader information, which includes lessons on contraceptives and preventing sexually transmitted diseases. Parents can elect to remove their children from these lessons.
"They've (teens) gotten pregnant more often," said Colleen Bridger with the Gaston County Health Department. "Imagine that. Our STD rates are going up. Our pregnancy rates are going up."
In response, a group of young men and women lobbied lawmakers to allow teachers to tell high school students about contraception. They decided to do that because of their experiences in abstinence-only classes in high school.
"I remember sitting in my class among my peers and hearing my teacher say, "Wait to have sex until you get married ... Condoms won't work. If you have sex, you're going to get an STD and die," said Gabriella Magallanes.
Jere Royal, an advocate of abstinence-only education, said the key is getting good curricula out there that puts the truth out. He says, if taught properly, abstinence-only is the best sex education.
"They need to understand that sexuality is an important part of life, but what they also need to understand is what the consequences are if they engage in sexual activity outside of marriage," he said.
In the end, lawmakers listened to both sides. They amended the original law so teachers can instruct students about abstinence and about what they can do if they're having sex.
"The starting point is getting people comfortable transitioning from saying, 'We expect you not to have sex,' but if you do, 'Here are some things you can do to protect yourself,'" said Bridger.
According to the state health department, from 2003 to 2007, the teen pregnancy rate rose more than 12 percent. North Carolina now has the ninth-highest teen pregnancy rate in the country.
Beginning with the 2010 school year, school districts must begin offering broader information, which includes lessons on contraceptives and preventing sexually transmitted diseases. Parents can elect to remove their children from these lessons.
"They've (teens) gotten pregnant more often," said Colleen Bridger with the Gaston County Health Department. "Imagine that. Our STD rates are going up. Our pregnancy rates are going up."
"I remember sitting in my class among my peers and hearing my teacher say, "Wait to have sex until you get married ... Condoms won't work. If you have sex, you're going to get an STD and die," said Gabriella Magallanes.
Jere Royal, an advocate of abstinence-only education, said the key is getting good curricula out there that puts the truth out. He says, if taught properly, abstinence-only is the best sex education.
"They need to understand that sexuality is an important part of life, but what they also need to understand is what the consequences are if they engage in sexual activity outside of marriage," he said.
In the end, lawmakers listened to both sides. They amended the original law so teachers can instruct students about abstinence and about what they can do if they're having sex.
"The starting point is getting people comfortable transitioning from saying, 'We expect you not to have sex,' but if you do, 'Here are some things you can do to protect yourself,'" said Bridger.
