Sex Education Program Adds Section Just for Fathers

Straight Talk, a free program designed to motivate people of all ages to discuss topics including sex education, STDs and responsible decision making, will be from noon to 4:45 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Academic Classroom Building, 3601 Fourth St.

Straight Talk is a community-based program supported by more than 60 local organizations, businesses and individuals. This year’s program is divided into three sections: Teen Straight Talk, Straight Talk For All Ages and a Dad’s Informational Program.

The Dad’s Informational Program, sponsored by the Lubbock Perinatal Coalition, is geared toward new fathers and fathers-to-be. The coalition was created in January after the TTUHSC School of Nursing received a $200,000 Texas Department of State Health Services grant. The group is tasked with decreasing the high rate of pre-term birth and infant mortality in Lubbock County.

“We have found that if the dads are more involved in the pregnancy and lives of their new babies the pregnancies go better and their babies are more likely to be born full-term and healthy,” said Linda Brice, Ph.D., R.N., event co-chair and principal investigator for the Lubbock Perinatal Coalition.

Teen Straight Talk

The first part of the teen program, for young people age 10 to 18 years and their parents, is presented by professional counselors, TTUHSC faculty and psychologists from the Lubbock community and surrounding West Texas areas, and allows for open discussions on topics listed below that have led to the high rate of teen problems like depression, eating disorders, suicide, drug and alcohol abuse and sometimes teen pregnancy and STDs:

• Teen pressures


• Peer pressure


• Bullying


• Body image and self-esteem problems

The second part of the teen program presents the “Big Decision,” a comprehensive sex education program provided by Texas Tech Physicians — OB-GYN faculty and residents, medical students, nursing faculty and nursing students. This program helps to open the lines of communication by instructing with pictures, diagrams and dialogue, along with providing resource materials for adults and adolescents on topics including:

• How the body works


• Abstinence, sexual responsibility and consequences


• STDs


• Contraceptives and protection


• Protecting yourself from sexual abuse

Straight Talk For All Ages              

Senior citizens, college students and other adults interested in STD education may attend two presentations: “STDs, Protection and You,” and “Being Healthy With Good Nutrition.”

College students may join a discussion about sex, STDs, contraception and protection. The second presentation for college students will be, “Texting and Driving.”

Dads, Dads-To-Be and All Dads Informational Program

Fathers of all kinds may attend several talks including: “Domestic Violence and Anger Management,” “Health Problems of a Newborn Baby” and “What to Do if You Are Alone With the Baby.”

Numerous community programs, including Texas Tech Physicians — OB-GYN, will have booths explaining their resources. School of Nursing students will also have educational posters and pamphlets on many health topics and offer blood pressure screenings. Free child care for children ages 9 or younger will be available.

Everyone who attends Straight Talk will receive a free lunch, snacks and informational goodie bags.

For more information, contact Co-Chairs Kathleen McPherson at (806) 743-2463, ext. 229, kathleen.mcpherson@ttuhsc.edu or Brice at (806) 241-3652 or linda.brice@ttuhsc.edu.

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