Planned Parenthood Faces Sharp Criticism for Plans to Launch a Teen Mentoring Program in Burlington, VT

An article in the Vermont Cynic (10/18/05) announced the formation of a new program sponsored by Planned Parenthood to match college age students with high school students in order to “mentor” younger teens on issues of sexuality. Planned Parenthood, the largest single provider of abortion in the State of VT, is also an outspoken opponent of abstinence-only programs and parental involvement.

Planned Parenthood has been sharply criticized in the past for inappropriate activities involving young teens. In April of 1989, Planned Parenthood sponsored a “Safety Dance” for high school students, and the evening program involved the blatant encouragement of teen sex. Planned Parenthood came under heavy fire once the details of the dance were made public – activities such as: putting a human sized condom over a teenager’s body to run a relay race and a competition for putting condoms over bananas repeatedly and as fast as possible, all while listening to what PPNNE called four hours of sexuality-explicit dance music. PPNNE advertised the dance as an educational event featuring games, crazy condoms, and hot music with sexual messages. The strong public outrage caused PPNNE to cancel the dance. Copies of the entire program are available through the VRLC office.

PPNNE expected a sharp reaction to the idea of their clients and ideological supporters mentoring teens - and they were correct in that assessment.

“Planned Parenthood has not made any noticeable change in their attitude toward teen sexuality since their “Safety Dance” fiasco, which raises questions about just what their college mentors will promote,” stated Mary Hahn Beerworth, Executive Director of VRLC. “Are parents informed that their children are being “mentored” by PPNNE? Or is it done in secret like their abortion business?” questioned Beerworth, noting that PPNNE has always vehemently fought legislation requiring parental notification before a minor has an abortion.

The article from the Vermont Cynic is reprinted below:

Vermont Cynic - News Issue: 10/18/05

Planned Parenthood by Hazel Ryerson

This February Planned Parenthood will be launching a new mentoring program in the Burlington area matching college mentors with high school mentees. The goal of the program is for college students to build relationships with high school students that lead to positive discussions of sexuality and making healthy informed choices about sexual health. Kristin Fontaine, the new coordinator of the mentoring program, sees college students as the perfect mentors because they are old enough, but have been through many of the same issues/experiences as current high school students. Fontaine understands that these types of personal and sensitive conversations can't be forced, but hopes that once a trust relationship has been established, the students will feel comfortable talking to their mentors about these issues.

Some negative reactions to the program are to be anticipated, as Planned Parenthood is a decidedly pro-choice organization that offers sexuality and reproductive health information and contraceptives to minors, among other things. "I definitely think some people will be uncomfortable with the fact that [the mentoring program] is sponsored by Planned Parenthood," says Fontaine, but she plans to combat this by stressing the extensive training that the mentors will receive. The "mentors are not there to give their own values around when to have sex and issues like that," says Fontaine, instead they are just there to listen and provide support.

The training consists of an eight-week program, three hours a week, that covers effective communication, active listening, adolescent development and how to talk about difficult issues. After the training, college students will be paired one on one with high school students who have similar interests.

The program is currently unnamed and still recruiting mentors, but already there has been a surprisingly enthusiastic response, mainly from UVM students, but also some from St. Michael's College. Fontaine would like to recruit male mentors as young men have even less resources available to them to discuss issues of sexual health. If you are interested in the program or would like more information, contact Kristin Fontaine at: KFontaine@ppnne.org.