Jackson Free Press

Teaching adolescents to make good choices is what Larry McAdoo says he does best. McAdoo, 58, has been working since 2004 with Redemption Outreach Ministries International, Inc. a non-profit organization that he founded with the intention of teaching local youths about abstaining from sex until marriage. This month, the National Advisory Board of the National Abstinence Education Association appointed McAdoo to serve as a board member. In his new role, McAdoo will help promote abstinence-only education by lobbying for legislation and promoting strategic goals of the NAEA.

Outreach Ministries operates the STARS, Students Taking A Radical Stand, program, an abstinence-education program for area youth ages 12-18. In 2006, the state Department of Human Services awarded a grant totaling $600,000 toward the organization to advance the message of abstinence-only-until-marriage.

The grant ended this year due to budget cuts, but McAdoo and his colleagues are currently seeking alternate forms of funding. We believe that an abstinence-centered education is best for the students," McAdoo said, "It ensures their freedom from STDs. A condom cannot protect adolescents from emotional consequences of sex."

McAdoo's faith-based non-profit serves over 1,100 students in the Jackson area. It teaches its curriculum through classes, after school programs, and as a part of summer camp programs.

Concerning the debate about the effectiveness of comprehensive sex education or abstinence only, McAdoo defended his position as the best solution.

"We don't mix our message, if you choose to, it's like giving a kid a gun with one bullet," he said during an editorial board meeting with the Jackson Free Press last month. We have a solid message, and it's effective. All teens aren't having sex. Kids are listening."

McAdoo also spoke out against the 2007 federally funded study by Mathmatica Policy Research Inc. that found no evidence to support abstinence-only education reduces risky sexual behavior or pregnancies among teens.

McAdoo said the findings for the report were too narrow and pointed to a 2009 report issued by the Abstinence Education Association titled "Abstinence Works."

"The research shows to avoid the risk of pregnancy and STDs the only way is to abstain (from sex) until marriage," McAdoo said. "That's the norm of our program, the norm of the funds we receive."

Born and raised in Chicago, McAdoo attended Moody Bible College in the Windy City before moving to Jackson in 1980. He graduated with a journalism degree from Jackson State University in 1982, and soon after began working with JSU's radio station, WJSU, where he retired as the general manager.

McAdoo currently resides in Jackson, with Donnetta, his wife of 20 years. They have four children.

Previous Comments

ID

155422

Comment

Well, I guess he is citing evidence from the Abstinence Education Association that state the obvious pablum about the "100% effectiveness" of abstinence ffor preventing STD's and unwanted pregnancy. The problem is that the message, while correct, is impratical, and the stats on STD's and teen prenancy in Mississippi prove that point. While most people believe and would agree that abstinence is the best option against teen pregnancy and STD's, is preaching it only the most effective use of our resources in this fight? Even though not 100% effective, wouldn't the propoer use of condoms and other birth control methods and proper knowledge about reproductive health reduce the incidences of STD's and unwanted/teen pregnancies in this State? I'm just sayin'

Author

Renaldo Bryant

Date

2010-01-25T14:47:08-06:00

ID

155496

Comment

I'm with Blackwatch. I'm confused as to why McAdoo was included as "JFP Person of the Day"? I understand the JFP wanting to show both the liberal and conservative take on issues, but this is a bizarre addition. Why would the JFP honor someone who is promoting abstinence-only education when most rational JFP readers do not believe that this is the correct nor effective way to help the youth of MS?

Author

janinejulia

Date

2010-01-26T16:00:58-06:00

ID

155500

Comment

"Person of the Day" isn't necessarily an honor, Janine. It's meant to pull out a newsmaker; we've done some that are quite negative in the past. I did, however, ask the staff to include links to information in this showing that abstinence isn't effective, however. I agree that that was not handled well above; it sounds like we just threw that in so he could knock it down. The findings should have been detailed more and stated as fact, which they are.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-01-26T16:28:38-06:00

ID

155501

Comment

I appreciate your response. I misunderstood that "Person of the Day" was not necessarily an honor.

Author

janinejulia

Date

2010-01-26T16:31:27-06:00

ID

155530

Comment

Will Caves, what's up man? Is that your name or what you do under pressure? You let this guy get away with saying anything? Tighten up Dude. Ronni Mott would have ate this guy's lunch. "The research shows to avoid the risk of pregnancy and STDs the only way is to abstain (from sex) until marriage," This is flatly untrue, there are many ways to avoid those risks. This is why religion should be kept separate from public policy. Religion is not based in reality. Reality shows that abstinence only education produces the highest rates of teen pregnancy and std's. How does this man explain that since the founding of his organization Mississippi has taken the top spot in the rate of teen pregnancy? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28538524/ http://www.statehealthfacts.org/comparemaptable.jsp?ind=37&cat=2 "We don't mix our message, if you choose to, it's like giving a kid a gun with one bullet," he said during an editorial board meeting with the Jackson Free Press last month. We have a solid message, and it's effective. All teens aren't having sex. Kids are listening." This is just stupid on so many levels. Actually, teaching kids only one way to protect themselves is exactly like giving them a gun with one bullet. If the first shot is ineffective they are defenseless. How does he sleep at night advocating keeping children ignorant of ways to protect themselves when so many are getting pregnant and infected with std's. It's unconscionable.

Author

WMartin

Date

2010-01-27T11:37:25-06:00