Features

Look Before You Leap  

On Saturday, December 20th, 2008, the Birmingham Abstinence Education Program hosted a phenomenal 3-screen presentation. “Look Before You Leap” presented by Just Say Yes came from Dallas, Texas to display a thought-provoking experience that exhilarated our audience.  This presentation was a teen targeted multimedia experience that addresses teenagers about the different issues they face. Its goal is to prevent the pain (both physical and mental) of teenage pregnancy, showcase sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and display the emotional drama that teenagers frequently bear. Topics range from relationships & boundaries, alcohol & binge drinking, all the way, to how the media influence today’s youth. “Look Before You Leap” presents a dramatic presentation that is filled with comedy that teenagers can relate to.

This presentation was held at the historical Carver Theater located at 1641 4th Ave. North. We had several special guests in attendance including the P.D. Jackson Olin Concert Band, Kirby Middle School Breakfast Club, and Bryant Chapel A.M.E. Youth Group. 

 Champs Idol This Spring

The Birmingham Abstinence Education Program (CHAMPS) will be hosting their first annual CHAMPS Idol in April 2009. This event is created to showcase our students’ talents. We are asking all singers, rappers, poets, dramatists, comedians, and any other talents to come out and have a great time with the CHAMPS program. Tryouts will be held during the peer support meetings. March 12th for the High School students and March 26th for the Middle school Students. Call our office (205)592-0708 for more information.

 Editorials

Peer Pressure Effecting Self-Esteem

Andre Penick

Many people over time have debated about the powers of peer pressure.  According to MSN Encarta peer pressure is social pressure on somebody to adopt a type of behavior, dress, or attitude in order to be accepted as part of a group.  Well here are just a few of my thoughts on the issue.I like to believe that there is positive and negative peer pressure.  From my observation, negative peer pressure is prevailing in schools.  The pressure to not have sex until marriage is almost nonexistent.  You would be considered lame (not cool) if you are trying to remain abstinent.  One of our goals at CHAMPS is to change that negative pressure into positive pressure.  We would like the students to feel comfortable about the positive decisions that they make in life whether it is about sex, fashion, values, attitude, or their future goals.It seems that self-esteem has a lot to do with how peer pressure affects a person.  We explain to the students how important it is to have high self-esteem.  I find a line from one of today’s popular rapper interesting that states, “You just be you, I’m ah be me.”  It would be great if the students took on this attitude.  The problem is that some of the students don’t like who they are.  So if there is any kind of pressure on them to be something they are not, they submit.  Now this can be good or bad.  It could cause a student to become one of the greatest individuals the world has ever seen.  On the other hand it can be detrimental to a student’s life.Peer pressure is something that every one faces in life.  The manner in which that pressure is used will determine if you end up with a lump of coal or a diamond. 

Teenage Pregnancy

Bridget Milton

Babies having babies is a common statement that is coined with teenage pregnancy.  While this is a correct and accurate assessment of the present times in which we’re living, it shouldn’t end with this statement alone.  This is where the Birmingham Abstinence Education C.H.A.M.P.S. program rises to the occasion.

When the subject of pregnancy makes its way into the class discussion for the day, many eyes widen and many questions about everything imaginable are asked.  The questions many times reveal how much and how little these young women actually know about their bodies.  Many teenage girls are being told, “Don’t bring no babies home” but the time is not taken to sit these young men and women down to explain how and why it’s occurring so frequently.  Fortunately our program explains the many consequences that come with engaging in sexual activity before a young person is mentally and emotionally prepared.  I explain that feelings of a shattered self-esteem and self worth are real.  I then go on to explain the diseases that are associated with sexual activity.  The C.H.A.M.P.S. program curriculum encourages students to look beyond the physical gratification and forces them to face all of the serious life changing consequences of engaging in sex.  One crucial point that I particularly like to make with my students is the cost involved with having sex.  While it’s common to think about the costs associated with a newborn baby, I encourage my students to also think deeper.  Having sex at a young age can cost your reputation, dignity and character.

As a facilitator I am so glad that we cover pregnancy in the manner in which we do.   The children we serve sincerely want to know about this topic as evident by their responses and questions.  When discussing sexual activity, as a facilitator I understand that instilling fear of having a baby is not my main objective. My mission is multi-dimensional. I want them to understand that they should choose to be abstinent because it’s a healthy decision along with the other aforementioned consequences.  When teaching about pregnancy my goal is awareness, which I sincerely believe will yield the results that we are all hoping for.

 Purity Rings are the New Thing

Jessica Trammell

 Today we are forced to hear about different celebrities who are supposed to be role models for our youth. From pictures of celebrities showing their private areas to teenagers getting pregnant, we seem to not be able to escape the negative influence that they have on young adults.  Jamie Lynn Spears seemed to be glorified as a teen mother when magazines were actually looking forward to her baby’s first photographs. We even have Sarah Palin’s daughter pregnant at the age of 17.Children may look at this and think that it is ok to have sex because we have such influential people endorse this behavior.

Although there are so many children having sex at a young age, we still have a few role models who are there to truly inspire their fans. Teen heartthrob boy band The Jonas Brothers publically wear purity rings because they are proud to be abstinent and pledge to be so until they each get married. And although they were mildly criticized at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards by the show’s host, they received support from another abstinent celebrity when she was on stage, Jordin Sparks!

Thanks to support coming from The Jonas Brothers and Jordin Sparks, teenagers can know that it is not terrible to wait to have sex. There are so many side effects to having sex such as pregnancy, STDs, and emotional turmoil. These celebrity teenagers are showing that is ok to be different and it is ok to make a pledge to insure that they are safe from these things. These celebrities have done what few have done before them. They have made a pledge of abstinence and proudly showcase it with a promise ring on their fingers. This makes them truly an inspiration for many teenagers across the nation.

 Mom was that a Jean Commercial?

 LaKesha Hayes

Were my daughter’s exact words after watching a two minute jean commercial from a brand name company a couple of weeks ago. The commercial showed two teenagers standing on a bridge embracing each other ever so closely, gazing into each others’ eyes kissing and touching. The girl was trying to convince the boy that even though this was his first time everything would be ok and he was going to enjoy “It”. The commercial was very sexual and by the way did I mention they undressed just before jumping into the water. Afterwards of course the real meaning behind the commercial was revealed and I as well as my 8-year old daughter was really surprised. I actually thought there for a second during the commercial I might have to turn the channel. Turn the channel because of a jean commercial. Now I am far from being one of those super conservative people who in my opinion take media censorship to the extreme, but when it comes to sex and the media. How much is too much for our kids?

Yes, I understand that this is the 21^st century we live in and as individuals and huge billion dollar corporations we have the freedom of speech and press. But when your young child has to turn to you and get clarification as to what a jean commercial was really selling that may be too much. It seems as if the media in this country is obsessed with selling sex. Whether it be TV, internet, music, etc. everywhere you look there are sexual innuendos, sometimes there right in your face and other times not so direct. But “Sex Sells” right? And it’s all about the green. When I talk to other adults that’s the explanation they give and to be quite honest I completely agree. The all mighty dollar. Evidently in this country sex does sell and it sells very well. But it’s also selling a message.

The media in our country sends a message to our children that sex is this casual thing that people do with no real consequences. It’s so easy to flip the channel on the TV or radio and find some sexy commercial or explicit song all about sex. But rarely do you flip the channel and see or hear about a struggling teen-age mom or a young man living with AIDS. That’s not really sexy is it? No, its not but it is the reality that millions of our youth are dealing with everyday. Unfortunately that message is not the attractive one and not the one our media chooses to send. Instead they choose two thin, attractive young teens nicely dressed ready to jump off the bridge of virginity into their happy sexual lives together. Or some half-naked young woman on a video shaking her “booty meat.”So parents I ask you. What message will you send? Or will you leave it up to the media to send it for you.