The time for denial is over. GCAPP is here to awaken teens, parents and the community at-large to the issue of adolescent sexual behavior.

Teens, you can no longer deny that babies are easy to make. You cannot deny how your life will be forever changed by an unplanned pregnancy. You are more likely to drop out of school, more likely to live locked, along with your child, in poverty for your entire life. Stop denying it won’t happen to you. One in every three sexually active teens will get pregnant – one in six will give birth. Over 80% of the time, the father of the baby is nowhere to be found or paying child support. Making babies is a costly venture and dependency is forever yours. Parenting never ends.

Parents, due to normal hormonal production, you can no longer deny that your teen is at risk for sexual activity. Teens are bombarded with sexual messages every day. How much time do you spend daily counteracting these false messages? Stop denying that your teen is a sexual being…. they are, after all, just like you. Start believing that movies, television, the internet, and music are providing your child with sexual information ….these mediums only create more ideas, which you as the parent must address. Talk with your teens, daily, weekly, monthly about the joys and responsibilities of being a sexual human being. It is normal, natural and should be celebrated. Stop denying that your teen may be sexually active. Help them understand how to prevent unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, beyond the normal, “just don’t do it.” Get involved, make a difference, be proactive, and talk with your teen. They want your advice. The time for denial is over.

Guilford County, we must stop denying too. We have to become better advocates for youth and education. We’ve got to stop giving only half truths and living in constant fear of saying too much. Teenager’s lives are forever being marred by insufficient knowledge. It is time for all of us to have a reality check. We each play a part in being informed, being real, and being connected. A new birth creates new parents; are we prepared for the consequences of teenagers becoming parents?

Candies Foundation Public Service Announcements featuring celebrities Jenny McCarthy and Ciara

6th Annual GCAPP Conference- October 21st, 2010, UNCG Elliott Center. Hold the date.

Teen Pregnancy Statistics Released — 10/15/09