TEXAS: Girls' Film on Teen Pregnancy Airing Nationally

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

TEXAS: Girls' Film on Teen Pregnancy Airing Nationally

Associated Press (05.08.05) - Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Lynn Brezosky

When six of their classmates became pregnant, four girls at Mission High School in the border region of south Texas - where the teen pregnancy rate is among the highest in the nation - decided their peers needed more information on safe sex. Two years later, their 16-minute educational film promoting condom use, titled "Toothpaste" in reference to teen slang for condoms, is available to public schools across Texas. Schools across the country have ordered the film, which will also be shown at film festivals and on Showtime, according to Scenarios USA, a national organization that educates teens on STDs and pregnancy.

In 2003, Scenarios USA challenged teens in Miami, New York City, and the border region of Texas - all areas with high rates of STDs and teen pregnancy - to film their lives. While researching teen pregnancy, the four girls were surprised to find out their region's rate was higher than in Miami and New York City. They were even more shocked to discover that students in other states learned about contraception in schools.

In Texas, the sex-education curriculum is abstinence-based. While local districts can discuss contraception with students, the state advises against it. Most south Texas school districts do not.

"Toothpaste" is a frank discussion about contraception and teen sexuality in a region where 37 of 1,00 girls become pregnant by age 17. It follows the lives of two girls and their decisions on whether to have sex with their boyfriends. David Champion, a Texas Education Agency specialist in south Texas, said he sees value in the film. "If you want to talk to these teenagers, it's information that they need to know and they want to know," said Champion.

"Toothpaste" won the annual contest and Scenarios USA polished the film by bringing on professional directors, producers, and camera operators.
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