Governor Pawlenty Rejects Federal Teen Pregnancy Grant

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty rejected an $850,000 federal grant for sex education programs.  Pawlenty explained the decision to turn down the grant is part of a principled boycott of the recent health care legislation that funds said grants.

The Governor’s gesture would be deserving of praise, had it harnessed a consistent message.  However, Pawlenty rejected the $850,000 grant only to approve an abstinence-focused grant, which requires, “$379,000 in matching state funds in order to receive $500,000 in funding from the same federal health bill.”

Minnesota has previously employed abstinence-only programs until 2007.  The state’s statistics exist as indisputable evidence to the ineffectiveness of abstinence-only sex education.  Between 2005 and 2006, Minnesota’s teenage pregnancy rate increased by 7% compared to the national average of 3%.  Recent studies suggest an estimate half of Minnesota teenagers are sexually active before graduating high school.

With the state’s increasing rate of sexually active youths, it is difficult to understand why the grant was rejected in favor of programs that have proven to fall short.  In Minnesota, it is clear there is a need for expanded sex education programs that cover topics of STD prevention, forms of contraception, and the advantages of delaying sexual activity.

In the case of sex education in Minnesota, it is a shame to see that the Governor believes the costs outweigh the benefits.

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