Answer in the News

Teen Pregnancy Prevention

“‘Act Like a Man’: Challenging Young Men’s Notions of Masculinity to Help Prevent Teen Pregnancy,” National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth. In this article, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., whose areas of expertise include working with boys and young men, comments on reaching male learners more effectively with sexuality education and teen pregnancy prevention programming.

“Study: More Teenage Girls Using the Rhythm Method,” by Ankita Rao. Religion News Service. June 10, 2010. In this piece, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder Ed.D., M.S.W., links the study's findings to the need for more comprehensive sexuality education.

“Family Planning: N.J. Budget Cuts Threaten Poor Women’s Health Care,” by Elizabeth Schroeder. The Star-Ledger. April 8, 2010. In this column, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., opposes Governor Christie’s proposed elimination of all family planning funding from the state budget.

STD & HIV/AIDS Prevention

“What You Need to Know about STDs,” by Richa Gulati. TeenVogue. December 2012/January 2013. Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., and teen staff writer Casandra Fetchik are quoted in this article about the importance of educating teens about STDs, safer sex and communicating with partners about these issues.

"Is HIV Education in Our Schools Up to Speed?" by Megan Barnes. EdgeOnTheNet.com. December 4, 2012. Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., comments on the valuable role sexuality education can play in educating young people about HIV prevention and treatment and reducing the stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS.

“Republican Debate Reignites Controversy Over HPV Vaccine,” by Nirvi Shah. Education Week. September 22, 2011. In this article, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., comments on the debate over whether or not girls should be required to get vaccinated against HPV, an STD that can lead to cervical cancer.

Teen Sexuality

“When Porn Teaches Teens.” HuffPost Live. November 28, 2012. In this segment, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., participates in a conversation about the easy accessibility of porn online and the importance of parents speaking with their children about sexuality.

“New Research Blames Low-Income African American Women for Couples’ Contraceptive Choices,” by Elizabeth Schroeder. RHRealityCheck.org. March 7, 2012.  In this blog post, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., describes her dismay at a recent study which perpetuated myths about sexual behavior among low-income, African-American teenage girls. Schroeder stresses the need for research on males and their sexual decision making in encouraging safer sex practices as opposed to singularly focusing on a female’s role.

“Girls Who Rely on a Boyfriend for Money Are Less Likely to Use Condoms,” by Laura Kennedy. Health Behavior News Service, HBNS.org. February 28, 2012. In this article, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., is quoted about a study which found that adolescent girls who relied on their boyfriends as their main providers of spending money were less likely to use condoms. Schroeder stressed the importance of research on sexual decision making and socioeconomic factors among young men as well.

“Punish First, Educate Later: South Carolina Lawmakers' Approach to Teen Sexting is Backwards at Best,” by Martha Kempner. RHRealityCheck.org. January 25, 2012. In this article, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., comments on the proposed bills by South Carolina legislators which would make sexting a crime for minors (ages 12 to 17). Schroeder discusses the potential consequences of punishing a teen and then educating them, instead of ensuring that teens are educated about sexting and the law.

“Parenting 101: You Want Me to Say WHAT? Talking About Sex With Your Kids,” by Elizabeth Schroeder. MOMeoMagazine.com. November 16, 2011. In this blog post, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., provides tips to parents on how they can most effectively and appropriately talk to their kids about sexuality.

“80 Percent of US Boys Use Condoms the First Time.” The Associated Press, Boston.com. October 12, 2011. This article about the increase in condom use among teenage boys having sex for the first time includes quotes from Sex, Etc. teen staff writer Olivier Vanasse.

“‘Penis’ Is Not a Dirty Word,” by Michelle Scarpulla. Answer.Rutgers.edu. September 19, 2011. In this blog post, Answer trainer Michelle Scarpulla, M.P.H., discusses the important role parents play in educating their children about sexuality, including body image and using the correct terms for sexual anatomy.

“U.S. Teens, Young Adults ‘Doing It’ Less, Study Says,” by Mike Stobbe and Carla K. Johnson. The Associated Press. March 3, 2011. In this article, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., and Sex, Etc. teen editorial staff writer Sam Dercon comment on a study released by the CDC showing that fewer young people are having sexual intercourse.

Sexuality Education

“How We Can Improve Sex Ed for Boys.” The Good Men Project. May 7, 2013. Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., is interviewed about how sexuality education can better resonate with and serve boys.

“Sex Ed to the Rescue.” HuffPost Live. April 15, 2013. In this segment, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., talks about her recent Answer blog post “Could Sex Ed Prevent Another Steubenville?” and joins a panel of guests to discuss how educating young people about sexuality can help prevent sexual assault.

“Making the Grade: How Should Nevada Teach Sex Ed?” State of Nevada. Nevada Public Radio. March 18, 2013. Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., spoke with panel members about the Nevada bill that would require that age-appropriate and medically accurate sexuality education be taught in schools.

“Social Media Can Help Effectively Communicate With Teens About Sexual Health,” by Tara Culp-Ressler. ThinkProgress.org. October 12, 2012. Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., is quoted about using social media to reach teens where they are and using evolving tactics to remain relevant to teens.

“Text in the City: Medical Professionals Use Social Media to Reach Teens on Sexual Health,” by Martha Kempner. RHRealityCheck.org. October 12, 2012. In this story about how medical professionals and educators are using the power of technology to reach teens, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., is quoted about how Answer is using social media to offer teens unfettered access to sexuality education.

“Why Obama’s in Bed With Abstinence-Only Education,” by Irin Carmon. Salon.com. May 8, 2012. This story looks at President Obama’s controversial decision to include an abstinence-only program in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s list of evidence-based programs. The story includes a quote from Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., questioning the inclusion of a program that relies on “fear, shame, distorted information and biases.”

“Education and the Path to a Sexually Healthy Nation,” by Debra Hauser, Monica Rodriguez, Elizabeth Schroeder and Danene Sorace. Education Week. May 8, 2012. In this article, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., along with members of the Future of Sex Ed (FOSE) coalition, acknowledge recent strides in federal support and funding for evidence-based sexuality education programs, while noting those factors that have impeded implementation of comprehensive sexuality education.

“Ab-Ed Moves Ahead,” by Tracy Clark-Flory. Salon.com. May 1, 2012. This article mentions Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., and her role in drawing attention to the inclusion of an abstinence-only program in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-endorsed list of evidence-based programs, though the abstinence-only program provides no information on puberty, anatomy, sexually transmitted diseases or sexual behaviors and was found to be ineffective, according to a congressionally mandated study of abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.

“He-Men, Virginity Pledges, and Bridal Dreams: Obama Administration Quietly Endorses Dangerous Ab-Only Curriculum,” by Debra Hauser, Monica Rodriguez, Elizabeth Schroeder and Danene Sorace. RHRealityCheck.org. May 1, 2012. Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., along with members of the Future of Sex Ed (FOSE) coalition, denounce the inclusion of Heritage Keepers Abstinence Education on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-endorsed list of evidence-based sexuality education programs.

The Kathleen Dunn Show. Wisconsin Public Radio. April 11, 2012. Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., speaks with Wisconsin Public Radio host Kathleen Dunn about how young people learn about sexuality and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s report that the teen birth rate has hit an all-time low.

“New National Standards Address Sexuality Education for All Grades,” by Erik Robelen. Education Week. January 9, 2012. This article on the new National Sexuality Education Standards—created by Advocates for Youth, Answer and the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States— details the standards, which include suggestions for age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education beginning in elementary school.

“Fighting the Female Dropout Phenomenon,” by Laura Varlas. Education Update, the official newsletter of ASCD (formerly the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development). December 2011. In this article, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., is quoted in a section of the article about how comprehensive sexuality education can help prevent teen pregnancy as well as help teens be “healthy and safe.”

“Sex Education Gets Directly to Youths, via Text,” by Jan Hoffman. The New York Times. December 30, 2011. In this article, several resources for teens to access information about sexuality and relationships via the Internet and texting are mentioned, including Sexetc.org.

“What’s Actually Taught in Sex Ed Class.” Talk of the Nation with Neal Cowan, National Public Radio. November 1, 2011. In this edition of the radio program, Nora Gelperin, M.Ed., director of training at Answer, answers questions about the range of sexual education curricula that are out there, including comprehensive sex ed, which is medically accurate and scientifically correct.

“Talking About Sex, in Class and at Home.” The New York Times. October 25, 2011. This page of letters to the editor includes a letter written by Answer teen staff writer Olivier Vanasse in which he stresses the importance of parents and educators working together to ensure that teens are educated about sexuality.

“Spewing Misinformation and Ideology, A New York Times Op-Ed Spreads Unfounded Fears About Sex Ed,” by Elizabeth Schroeder. RHRealityCheck.org. October 19, 2011. In this blog post, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., responds to an op-ed piece in The New York Times by countering some of the claims it makes about the proposed sexuality education plans by the New York City Department of Education.

“It Takes More Than a Month: Incorporating LGBTQ Issues Into Sex Ed,” by Elizabeth Schroeder. Answer.Rutgers.edu. October 11, 2011. In this blog post, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., offers some suggestions about how educators can incorporate more information about LGBTQ themes into their curricula, including both sexual orientation and gender identity.

“Sex Education and Standardized Testing: Perfect Together,” by Susan N. Wilson. Answer.Rutgers.edu. October 7, 2011. In this blog post, Answer Senior Advisor, Susan N. Wilson, MS.Ed., talks about how Washington, D.C. will soon offer the first standardized health and sexuality education tests for students in grades 5, 8 and 10 in public and charter schools, including topics like contraception as well as more general health topics like mental health and drug use.

“Beyond a Public Health Model of Sexuality Education,” by Elizabeth Schroeder. Answer.Rutgers.edu. August 3, 2011. In this blog post, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., responds to a recent article by former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders and addresses the importance of comprehensive sexuality education for grades K-12, including what age-appropriate lessons mean and how they can encourage overall health.

“Abstinence Only Until Marriage? Basta Cosi…” by Elizabeth Schroeder. Answer.Rutgers.edu. July 28, 2011. In this blog post, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., talks about why abstinence-only-until-marriage programs miss the reality of many teens’ experiences and may lead to unhealthy and unpredictable situations.

“How Do We Solve a Problem Like the P-Word? Should School-Based Sex Education Address Pleasure?” by Elizabeth Schroeder. Answer.Rutgers.edu. July 20, 2011. In this blog post, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., discusses the debate around whether or not pleasure should be included in sexuality education.

“Sex, Lies and Duct Tape: Science and Morality Make for Strange Bedfellows in D-11,” by Anthony Lane. Colorado Springs Independent. April 8, 2010. In this article, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., provides insight into the ineffectiveness of abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, some of which are still being taught in school districts in Colorado and throughout the country.

“And the Debate Over Abstinence Education Continues.” Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane, WHYY radio. February 9, 2010. In an edition of this radio program, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., joins University of Pennsylvania professor and researcher, John Jemmott, Ph.D., to discuss the recent data he published describing some positive outcomes from a community-based abstinence education program conducted with 6th and 7th graders.

“Sex Ed, With No Federal Strings?” The New York Times. February 7, 2010. This letter to the editor by Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., corrects inaccurate information in a previously published op-ed piece by Ross Douthat about abstinence-only versus comprehensive sexuality education programs.

“Sex Ed That Works: Fine Tuning Abstinence Message,” by Star-Ledger Editorial Board. The Star-Ledger. February 7, 2010. Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., comments on a recently published study of an effective middle school abstinence intervention that is based in science.

Partnerships

“Taking Action, Sexual Education and Music for a Cause: Talking Shop with Answer Exec Elizabeth Schroeder.” Reviewsic.com. May 28, 2011. An interview with Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., about Answer’s partnership with Hopeless and Subcity Records on the 2011 Take Action Tour and Answer’s mission to provide and promote comprehensive sexuality education to young people and the adults who teach them.

“Punk Rockers Take Action for Teens” by Grant Hutchinson. The Independent News. April 27, 2011. This piece about the partnership between Answer and the 2011 Take Action Tour and includes commentary by executive director Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., on the importance of getting accurate, age-appropriate, nonjudgmental information about sexuality to young people via different means.

“Take Action Tour Raises Money for Teen Sex Education Exclusive Q&A,” by Carlos Ramirez. Noisecreep.com. April 22, 2011. A Q&A with Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., about Answer’s work to educate teens about sexuality; our national, award-winning magazine and Web site, Sex, Etc.; and our partnership with Hopeless Records and Sub City on the 2011 Take Action Tour.

Answer Named Beneficiary of the 2011 Take Action Tour! February 14, 2011. Answer is proud to announce that Hopeless Records has designated our teen-to-teen sexuality education initiative, Sex, Etc., the sponsored nonprofit project and beneficiary of the 2011 Take Action Tour! Headliners for the national tour include Silverstein and Bayside, along with Polar Bear Club, The Swellers and Texas in July.

ETR Associates and Answer Launch New Line of Living Pamphlets. August 23, 2010. ETR Associates and Answer today launched three new Living Pamphlets that combine educational print pamphlets with free online videos, discussion guides and activity sheets.

Other News

“Five Year Strategic Plan Outlined At Sexuality Education Fundraiser” by Anne Levin. Town Topics. October 18, 2012. Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., and senior advisor, Susie Wilson, are quoted throughout this piece about Answer’s annual fundraiser and its five-year strategic plan to shift how parents and other adults think about sexuality education and reach more young people with honest, accurate information.

“How to Talk to Your Kids About Pornography,” by Amy O’Leary. The New York Times. May 9, 2012. Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., offers advice on how parents can talk to their children about sexually explicit content online and weighs in on five different scenarios where parents are speaking with their children about encountering porn online.

“Can Your Child Find Porn on Your Phone?” by Amy O’Leary. “Motherlode: Adventures in Parenting” blog, The New York Times. May 9, 2012. Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., is quoted in this blog about how families can manage children’s access to sexually explicit content online.

“So How Do We Talk About This?” by Amy O’Leary. The New York Times. May 9, 2012. Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., is quoted in this article about how parents handle speaking with their children who have viewed porn.

“Moral Courage and the Penn State Child Sexual Abuse Case,” by Susie Wilson. NewJerseyNewsroom.com. November 14, 2011. In this blog post, Answer Senior Advisor, Susan N. Wilson, Ms.Ed., discusses her reaction to the sexual abuse scandal at Penn State as well as the sense of hope and gratitude she felt while attending a recent ceremony at the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights and seeing Frank Mugisha of Uganda, an advocate for the LGBTI community in Uganda, receive this year’s Human Rights Award.

“Lessons Learned From Ten Years of TISHE,” by Nora Gelperin. September 12, 2011. Nora Gelperin, M.Ed., Answer’s director of training, writes about her experiences and what she has learned from the annual Training Institute in Sexual Health Education (TISHE), where professionals working with adolescents are trained to be stronger sexuality educators.

“No Co-Pays for Women’s Health Care: Better But Not Perfect,” by Elizabeth Schroeder. Answer.Rutgers.edu. August 9, 2011. In this blog post, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., celebrates the recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that the Affordable Care Act would require that several preventative services for women be covered under their insurance. Schroeder also discusses her concern about those without health insurance as well as preventative and well-care visits for boys and men.

“Summer’s Eve ‘Hail to the V’ Ad Campaign: It Stinks,” by Elizabeth Schroeder. Answer.Rutgers.edu. July 22, 2011. In this blog post, Answer executive director, Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., reacts to a new Summer’s Eve advertising campaign which appears to be clever but when further investigated, presents heterosexist and racist messages, in addition to the idea that douching is necessary for women to be “clean.”

Nora Gelperin, M.Ed., Wins the Mary Lee Tatum Award. We are pleased to announce that Answer’s director of training, Nora Gelperin, M. Ed., was the recipient of the national 2010 Mary Lee Tatum Award from the Association of Planned Parenthood Leaders in Education!