4 Prevention programs working with young women of color must not overlook the United States' history of reproductive rights violations. Prejudice and discrimination have strongly negative impacts on the health of young people. Prejudice and discrimination, at individual and institutional levels, contribute to high morbidity and mortality rates among youth. As a consequence of persistent abuse, as many as 28 percent of LGBT youth eventually drop out of schools. 7 Prejudice and discrimination may have a spiraling, negative impact on the health of youth.
Young people face barriers and obstacles in sexual and reproductive health programs.
Culture in the United States reflects extremely ambivalent feelings about the rights of minors, especially in regard to sexuality and reproductive health care. Contradictions and age-based discrimination are clearly evident in programs and policies. Americans want teens to be sexually responsible. Numerous legal barriers, such as confidentiality restrictions and parental consent or notification laws, restrict teens from obtaining adequate reproductive and sexual health information and services. While all youth are negatively affected by these age-related restrictions, some youth face additional barriers posed by prejudice and discrimination.