For 25 years or so, most public schools have taught a brand of sex education that supplies students with information about the body’s sexual system. They also have taught that sex is healthy, not “dirty,” but that waiting until marriage to have intercourse is a wise thing to do. Many teachers and public health officials felt that this approach would reduce the terrible toll of teenage sex: unwanted babies and sexually transmitted diseases. They were wrong. Mostly, these programs have failed.

But over the last 10 years, a new approach has been developed. Tightly focused on teaching methods that help teenagers change their behavior, this new method is showing signs of success. Instead of relying mainly on conveying information about sex or moral precepts, the new approach focuses on discovering and actually using behavior that will prevent pregnancy or disease.

Teachers of the new sex education approach are like coaches who help players perfect and apply what they learn at practice sessions. The goal is to win in an actual game. Through role-playing practice, for example, students anticipate some of the moves of their “opponents,” whose goal would be sexual intercourse or sex without protection. The strategy is to know what moves to expect and to achieve one’s own desired outcome: having fun without an unwanted pregnancy or a disease. Using games and interesting exercises that strengthen social skills, youngsters learn to say no effectively and confidently.

Acknowledging that many teens are sexually active, the new sex education pinpoints real-life results of irresponsible sex and urges self-protection. Pragmatic, not preachy, it combines learning theory with a hard look at the realities:

• Since the early 1970s, the teenage birthrate has been rising. Yearly, more than a million girls become pregnant, and about half of them give birth.

•   In some inner cities, 80 percent of teenagers’ babies are born out of wedlock. Nationally, the figure is closer to 50 percent.

•   More than 25 billion dollars a year in federal taxes support teenagers and their babies.

•   Most children who are parents before they leave high school – and before marriage – face a harsh future: less education, less chance of getting a job, dismal prospects for a happy marriage. Most of the hardship falls on the female.

•   Females more easily catch sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS, one of the leading causes of death for Americans aged 25 to 44 (number 1 for men, number 4 for women). AIDS can be dormant for up to 10 years, so it would seem that many were infected as teenagers.

•   Teenage girls get gonorrhea at a rate 22 times greater than older women. And despite antibiotics, sterility can result.

The newer sex education programs, which require student interaction, can help teenagers change their sexual behavior for the better, social scientists say. Early studies of two new programs show that junior and senior high school students in the programs delayed first sexual intercourse by at least 2 years longer than their untaught peers. Also, unprotected sex among older students already sexually active fell by 40 percent. Research on other, similar programs showed that many students had even reduced the number of sexual partners.

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Of fluid milks, fresh milk costs the most, evaporated milk is intermediate in cost, and skim milk made from nonfat dry milk costs the least. Almost all fresh pasteurized milk is fortified with vitamin D. Skim milk, nonfat dry milk, and skim evaporated milks are fortified with vitamins A and D. Purchasing fresh milk in a supermarket is less expensive than having it delivered to the home. For families that require large amounts of milk the half-gallon and gallon containers are economical.

Nonfat dry milk makes a palatable beverage when it is mixed according to directions and thoroughly chilled before serving. For people who have been accustomed to drinking whole milk it usually takes a week or so to adjust to the flavor of skim milk. Many people are now drinking milk with lower fat content in order to reduce their intake of saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories. A good compromise is to mix one part whole milk with one part nonfat milk made from dry milk. This reduces fat, cholesterol, and caloric content as well as cost.

Evaporated milk has the same nutritive value as fresh milk when it is mixed with an equal amount of water. It may be used in any cooked dishes that require milk. Evaporated milk may be whipped for desserts and may be used on cereals and as whitener for coffee.

Cream, yogurt, cream cheese, and ice cream are more expensive dairy products, and should be used infrequently when the budget is limited. Half-and-half contains 12 per cent fat, coffee and cultured sour cream about 18 per cent fat, and whipping cream 30 to 40 per cent fat. Many people now prepare yogurt in the home at low cost.

Cottage cheese, American cheddar and Swiss cheese, and process cheeses are relatively inexpensive sources of protein, and provide good occasional substitutes for a meat meal. Imported cheeses such as Roquefort, Gouda, Camembert, Edam, Gorgonzola, and many others are more expensive.

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