Autumn, 1997, Vol. 4, No. 1

ABSTINENCE-ONLY
Adolescent Health and Self-Esteem

By Angie Figlino, Health Promotion Specialist for Chicago Commons Adolescent Health Promotion Project

Chicago Commons, a not-for-profit human service agency, has been serving Chicago's communities for over 100 years. The agency has over 18 sites in Chicago, one of which is the Mary McDowell Settlement House on the city's south side. The Mary McDowell Settlement House offers numerous services for the community; including; AmeriCorps National Service program, Neighborhood Self Help, two violence prevention programs, senior groups, and Career Awareness Seminars. In response to the 1996 welfare reform act, an Adolescent Health Promotion Project has been added to the Mary McDowell Settlement to help young people make choices that enhance health, safety and well-being.

The Chicago Commons Adolescent Health Promotion Project (CCAHPP), funded by the Adolescent Family Life Demonstration Projects of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is an abstinence only educational program.

Supporters of abstinence only education believe it is the most powerful way to help adolescents lead healthy positive lives. Young people in Mary McDowell's service area (Englewood, West Englewood, Fuller Park, and New City) face additional challenges such as substandard housing, poverty, low rates of educational attainment, violence, and teen births. The CCAHPP strives to build the adolescent's self esteem and communication within the family, and in turn encourage healthy choices about sexuality.

Josephine Robinson, Project Director, and the Health Staff will use education, one-on-one attention, parental involvement and community commitment over the next year to ensure positive changes for program participants. The Health staff will conduct a six session course of educational workshops for 9 to 15 year old girls and boys. The sessions will address the values of respect, self-control, self esteem, gender equality, and planning for the future.

Students receive medically accurate information on sexually-transmitted diseases, puberty, nutrition and pregnancy, excluding education regarding birth control or STD prevention. Adolescents will consider the consequences of teenage pregnancy. Through this series of workshops, adolescents will concentrate on what they expect of themselves, what they value, and their future hopes. The CCAHPP is based on the belief that once adolescents value themselves, their family and community, they will understand the benefit of abstinence throughout adolescence.

Parents are given an opportunity to take part in their adolescent's education through homework assignments and weekly field trips. The goal of these activities is to foster communication between parents and children. Once an adolescent feels that he/she can trust their parents and feel confident in their advice, they will be much more likely to turn to them in times of confusion.

An Adolescent Health Promotion Council will advise and support the Health Staff throughout the year. The working council, composed of community leaders, parents and youth, will meet to discuss the project's accomplishments, events, and objectives. At the year's end, the council will be instrumental in reviewing the project and working towards the permanent implementation of the program in the community.

Young people need to understand the physical and emotional changes they are experiencing, and the risks and consequences associated with early sexual activity. Through consistent exposure to value-based information on sexuality, it is hoped that adolescents will recognize the opportunities available to them and choose healthier lifestyles. Each adolescent participating in CCAHPP receives a "Value card" that they can carry with them.

The Value cards, produced by the Search Institute, represent their commitment to positive values and to themselves. It is a constant reminder that they have the power, especially when supported by parents and community, to create a healthy future for themselves. This is the goal of abstinence only education and the vision for the Chicago Commons Adolescent Health Promotion Project.

Angie Figlino is the Health Promobon Specialist for the Chicago Commons Adolescent Health Promotion Project.

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