Free Teens

Free Teens USA is a non-profit organization founded in 1994, which is committed to educating youth and parents about the benefits of a "drug-free" and "sex-free" lifestyle for youth, advocating a RISK-AVOIDANCE approach to drug and alcohol use, teen pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases rather than the RISK-REDUCTION approach advocated by groups like SIECUS and Planned Parenthood, which Free Teens USA asserts still leaves youth exposed to serious risks to their physical, emotional and social health.
While some have asserted that it is religiously-motivated, its curriculum contains no references to religious teachings or doctrines, and uses sources like the Journal of the American Medical Association, the National Institutes for Health, the Centers for Disease Control and the Family Planning Perspectives journal, which is published by the Guttmacher Institute.
Free Teens USA self-describes as a "reality-based, abstinence-centered HIV/AIDS, STD, and pregnancy prevention program". Its curricula have been used in 38 American states and in more than 70 countries and has been translated into 10 languages. Its curriculum was reviewed by the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information and found to be "medically accurate, in conformance with public health principles and appropriate for the intended audience."
Like most abstinence-centered programs, Free Teens promotes the idea that sex before or outside of marriage carries the potential for deleterious consequences, both physical and emotional.
The organization was founded by Richard Panzer, a graduate of Yale University who has a doctorate from NYU in Educational Communication and Technology.
Criticism
While some have tried to assert that Free Teens USA's advocacy of delaying sex until one is ready to make a unique, mature commitment in the context of marriage is religiously motivated, the facts are that the Free Teens USA board of directors and staff are composed of people from a variety of faiths and do not teach the religious doctrines of any church. Its mission statement is as follows:
Free Teens Mission Statement
1. To support the creation of a positive youth culture in the U.S. that honors self-reliance, respectful relations between the sexes, marriage and parenthood, and service to others.
2. Through educational activities and media outreach, Free Teens USA seeks to help young people to value their lives, their health and their future goals including productive work, marriage, parenthood and family.
3. Through educational activities and media outreach, Free Teens USA seeks to help young people to develop leadership skills that would allow them to avoid addictive or destructive behaviors that would damage the achieving of their future goals.
4. Through educational activities and media outreach, Free Teens USA seeks to help young people to develop the positive relationship skills that will enhance their future careers, marriages, and communities.
5. Through educational activities and media outreach, Free Teens USA seeks to empower parents and educators with the knowledge, awareness and tools to take a proactive role in the lives of the young people they care about.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu