(Birmingham) – Calling pageant officials’ censorship of Miss America’s abstinence platform “outrageous,” The National Physicians Center for Family Resources (NPC) supports Miss America 2003, Erika Harold, as she encourages young people to abstain from sexual activity.
“It is clear that delaying sexual involvement, preferably until marriage, is the healthiest lifestyle for adolescents, both physically and emotionally,” says NPC Medical Director, Dr. John Whiffen. “Ms. Harold should be commended for promoting a message of health to adolescents -- not silenced.”
The NPC applauds Ms. Harold for her commitment to health and supports her efforts to educate America’s youth about the health implications of early sexual involvement:
· About 900,000 adolescents become pregnant each year. One-third of these end in abortion. Eighty-five percent of adolescent births are out-of-wedlock.
As a positive role model for adolescents everywhere, Miss America should encourage abstinence from all health-risk behaviors, including sexual activity. This is a platform that supports both physical and emotional health.
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The National Physicians Center for Family Resources is a 501 (c) (3) organization established to produce and promote family-friendly educational resources, public policy and model legislation with the assistance of a national network of physicians.