I am so thrilled to be part of the MA Alliance community serving as a member of their Teen Parent Policy Advisory Board (TPPAB) and contributing blogger on their blog, The Pushback. The mission of The Pushback is to "push back against all that ignorance, bitterness, and prejudice and show what young parenthood really looks like." One of the areas myself and other bloggers have talked about are the lack of quality PSA's [public service announcements] aimed at preventing teen pregnancy. Who can forget the disastrous Pause Before You Play PSA with Bristol Palin & The Situation.
So when I heard about the Alliance's PSA contest, I was PSYCHED! Details below:
In preparation for the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy on May 4, 2011, they are holding their 1st Annual Teen Pregnancy Prevention PSA Contest! Create your own ad on why and/or how we should work to prevent teen pregnancy. Drawing on personal experience is encouraged!
The winners will receive (drumroll, please…) 1st Place: $100 gift certifcate to Amazon.com! (2nd Place will get $50, 3rd Place will get $30).
Here are the rules:
- Your PSA should be accurate. If you cite statistics, you should be able to let us know where you got them from and be confident that they are correct.
- Your PSA should not diminish the capabilities, potential, or hard work of those that do become young parents.
- No scare tactics, please! Young people deserve better.
- We believe young people have the right to information about their sexual health and how to prevent pregnancy. PSAs that focus exclusively on abstinence are discouraged (though focusing on abstinence in part is totally fine!)
- We want PSAs generated by youth and young adults! We’re defining that as under age 25. If you work in a group, at least 1/2 the group should be under age 25.
So, get your creative ideas flowing! Print ads, images, and videos are all accepted. You can send them to Gretchen by April 28. Submissions will be posted here and readers will have the chance to vote on them the week of May 2, with winners announced the following week.
If you could create the ideal Teen Pregnancy Prevention PSA what would it look like? What would it need to connect with teens?
I'm excited to get my creative hat on this weekend creating my PSA! I encourage all of you to submit and/or pass on to friends who you think would be interested!
Happy Friday!
