Program FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about ETP programs. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions not answered below. Click on the question to see the answer.
Does the ETP program encourage teenage pregnancy?
Absolutely not. To make responsible decisions about parenting, young people need to understand the magnitude of the commitment, and consider how they will balance it with their other life goals.
How is is ETP’s workshop different from sex education?
This workshop does not discuss sex or birth control. Rather it recognizes that most young adults (80-90%) will ultimately become parents, and focuses on personal choices that have lifelong repercussions.
Will this course be critical of the students’ parents or culture?
No. This course respects the fact that people parent differently. All cultural and religious values are respected. It also acknowledges that no child and no parent are perfect.
Why is pre-parenting education needed?
Parenting is a difficult job. Today there is less family infrastructure for support, more risks to children, and more stress than in prior generations. The task of parenting is more challenging than ever before. If teens learn now what it takes to choose the right partner and how to someday be a great parent, then their future children will grow up happier and healthier and our entire community will benefit.
What sources of information were used in developing this material?
This course draws upon a wealth of knowledge from medicine, education, sociology, economics, psychology, law, and related life experiences. Information is presented in plain-speak for teenagers. The course was developed by Randi Rubenstein. She has extensive experience in health and education, and holds an MS degree in Public Health from UCLA. As a foster and adoptive parent, she has cared for many children and worked closely with families facing difficult challenges.
