|
|
|
| Current Issue |
|
|
| Resources |
|
|
|
Elayne Bennett: A Friend for All Seasons
| Article
# : |
20350 |
|
|
Section : |
LIFE
|
| Issue
Date : |
6 / 1992 |
4,218 Words |
| Author
: |
Gerald Leighton
Gerald Leighton is the Washington, D.C., coordinator for
United to Serve America, an organization that networks
volunteer organizations. He has served as dean of the College
of Business and director of graduate programs at Southeastern
University and has taught at Johns Hopkins, George
Washington, and American University. He has directed programs
at the U.S. Departments of Energy and Housing and Urban
Development. |
Elayne Bennett is the creator of "Best Friends," a curriculum that attempts to help teenage girls make decisions that will lead to success in life. A major component of the program is a focus on maintaining sexual abstinence through high school, although decision making is considered not only in relationship to family issues but in the context of pursuing educational and career goals.
Elayne Bennett is the wife of William Bennett, former head of the National Endowment of Humanities, secretary of education, and drug czar. They have two sons, John and Joseph.
The World & I: Given today's social standards, a topic such as abstinence is difficult to address. What motivated you to champion it?
Elayne Bennett: I'm deeply concerned about the values crisis in America, and it seemed to me that this was an area in which I could contribute.
Within the broad realm of the values crisis, teenage pregnancy, children having children, is one of the most serious outcomes of the loss of moral values. The teen pregnancy statistics are staggering--a majority of the babies born to teenagers are born to unmarried mothers, and the pregnancy rate continues to rise.
W & I: The "Best Friends" approach is unique in focusing on girls' becoming friends and supporting each other with the help of older women who serve as mentors, or role models. What led you to this concept?
Bennett: There have been a number of events in my life that have contributed to the approach.
When I was in college majoring in special education, my professor brought in girls from various eighth and ninth grade classes from schools in rural North Carolina. We had a prepare lessons and teach them. I remember the professor saying, "When you talk to these girls, you want to get their attention. Put your hand on them, pat them on the arm. Take a chance, let them know you care about them. Don't just sit there and read the lesson." I didn't fully understand what she was getting at, but I did it, and it made a difference. My students tuned in to me.
In graduate school, I never had any mentoring. You can't ask. The teacher has to say, "I want to be your mentor." I knew how valuable it would have been if a
...
Read Full Article
Look for this article in Ask.com
|
|
