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Teens Are Learning Life Lessons To Share With Friends

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By law, abstinence is the only form of sex education taught in N.C. public schools. However, Planned Parenthood is filling in the gaps with their new program, Teen Voices.(WRAL-TV5 News)
DURHAM — By law, abstinence is the only form of sex education taught in North Carolina's public schools. However,Planned Parenthoodof Orange and Durham counties is filling in the gaps with their program, Teen Voices.

Planned Parenthood's Teen Voices Peer Education Program is teaching kids about sex and sexuality. After graduating from the program, Rachel Meyer, 16, says she now has the tools to dispel certain myths.

"Kids are going to do what they want to do and giving them the information helps them make better choices," she says. "It helps them make safer choices, and I think that helps them lead better lives." Contraception is something teens will not learn about in North Carolina's schools. They can learn about it at Planned Parenthood. -->

Girls are not the only ones learning. Alex Mitchell, 15, say the boys in the program are learning about taking responsibility for their actions.

"I think it's very important for guys to take responsibility for what they do and the situations they put themselves and others into," he says. "It's very important for them to take responsibility."

Kamaria Wells, a peer educator, says she hopes everyone will take something from the program.

"I think that everyone will take something that they've learned and help share it with their friends," she says. "Hopefully, it will continue the cycle."

Planned Parenthood pays the students $200 for completing the 40-hour program. They receive $100 if they share the information with 30 friends. Organizers say the goal is to prevent teen pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases.

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