Wow, this is taking it to a whole new level. Apparently there is a now a program, College Bound Sisters, that is paying girls for not getting pregnant right here in the good ol' US of A. That's right, you heard me, paying them to not get pregnant. The three main goals of the program are avoiding pregnancy, graduating from high school, and enrolling in college. While this program has some positive aspects like giving the girls activities to be a part of, helping them realize that going to college and getting good grades are important goals to have, I can't help but be somewhat dismayed about the way these goals are being monetarily incentivized. The girls are given $7 a week that is put into a saving account for them, but if they get pregnant, they don't get the money. I mean seriously, how much research needs to be done to show that while incentives may work in the short term, they are not good at creating lasting change in people's behaviors. And most often don't work at all. Additionally, if you are going to try to get the teenage girls to not get pregnant maybe you should also consider doing a little sexual education along with your program. I mean seriously people, WTF?CNN Video
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i'm not so sure this is that much of a WTF. i mean, there are more than 6 billion people in this planet, way too many creating all of these conflicts. i personally think that society should start changing mindsets and instead of giving tax breaks to people with children, they should give some to people without children...
Teenagers' brains are not developed enough to realize the consequences of their actions. In their minds, they are invincible. I like the idea of this trial program to give students a more immediate incentive to not engage in sexually risky behavior - put that condom on.
And hey, maybe it will turn out that this trial program does not succeed - but at least someone is trying it out.
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