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It's Better to Wait:Local organization promotes asbtinenceBy Tamara Fisher and Kylee Myers |
Priscilla Torres has spent the past year promoting abstinence in North Philadelphia schools. Torres, the youth development coordinator for ASPIRA Inc., is head of the Latino organization’s newest program, "It’s A Better Life."
“I tell them to wait until they’re ready and I explain to them what that means through a series of educational activities,” said Torres. The program targets students, age 12-18, in schools throughout Hunting Park.To date, more than 60 Latino students have participated in the program.
“Before talking about abstinence, I first try to talk to them about their self esteem, peer relations, society, what they see on TV,” said Torres. “I try to find out what these things mean to them and how they relate to abstinence.”
Students, involved in the program, fill out a pre-test asking if they understand what it means to abstain from sex and how important it is to them. Following
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| "It's A Better Life" promotes abstinence instead of safe sex. |
“Most of the tests say something like, ‘I think I’m going to wait’ or ‘I’m going try to wait but if it happens, it happens,’” said Torres.
According to the Washington Post, several million children ages 9 to 18 have participated in the more than 100 federal abstinence programs. Torres, despite many critics, teaches abstinence instead of safe sex because she feels most youth are not ready to think about sex.
“You have to believe in the curriculum,” said Torres. I just tell them their mind is not ready to think about sex right now. You may think you are but I try to teach them evern some adults are not prepared to go into a sexual relationship."
| Listen to Priscilla Torres as she talks about astinence and safe sex. |
Abstinence Programs, such as “It’s A Better Life,” help serve as advocates against the spread of HIV/AIDS. Torres and ASPIRA are helping raise awareness of the disease and providing educational opportunities for the Latino youth and children alike.
ASPIRA’s Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Prevention Curriculum was created to inform Latino youth and parents about the epidemic sweeping their communities.
According to the most current Census Bureau data, Hispanic children are currently the largest group of children age 18 and under in the U.S. after non-Hispanic white children.
However, while Hispanics represent approximately 12 percent of the U.S. population, they represent about 18 percent of all AIDS cases.
“Communication skills and team building are just some of the lessons learned through the program,” said Torres.
There are eight chapters in their HIV/AIDS Prevention Curriculum. This program provides adolescents with what they need to know.
The program wants to promote positive and healthy decision-making and academic advancement.
In the end, Torres hopes she is able to educate and pose as advocate for a for young children in the Hunting Park Community.
"My wish is to just prevent one child from catching a disease and destroying their future," Torres said.
"I know I can't change the violence in the community, but this is the least I can do to make a difference."
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Find out more:
* ASPIRA's "It's A Better Life Program"