Abstaining From Faith-Based Sex Ed Programs
I think Rhode Island has made the right move on a faith-based abstinence program. More from The Westerly Sun:
PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island education officials have banned from public schools a federally funded abstinence program that civil rights advocates said embraced sexist stereotypes and included a voluntary student health survey that violated privacy laws.Lawyers at the Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union first complained last year that a now-abandoned textbook used by Heritage of Rhode Island taught students that girls should wear clothing that doesn’t invite “lustful thoughts” from boys. The book described men as “strong” and “courageous” while women were called “caring.”
A speaker on an accompanying videotape said abstinence helped him “honor my relationship with Jesus,” although Heritage officials said the tape wasn’t used in public schools.
But hey, they stopped teaching this stuff over a year ago. So what’s the big deal?
Authorities at the private health education firm said they stopped using the disputed materials a year ago.“The issues they’re asking about are old, dead stuff,” said Chris Plante, executive director of Heritage of Rhode Island. He said he plans to meet this spring with state education officials to work out a mutually acceptable curriculum.
Sure, let’s move on Chris…but why in the hell did you attempt to pawn this religious stuff off on children in the first place? Didn’t you realize that people would see through the thinly veil as they always do? I mean…come on. And so people, this is where faith-based funding actually breaks down in most cases. Personally, I think it should probably be phased out in favor of private organizations which have absolutely no affiliation with the church, with the only funding for churches going to disaster relief work.
Now, if the money spigot gets shut off that will most likely mean that kids probably won’t be taught abstinence. Well, I don’t really consider that a big loss honestly. Why? Because proper sexual education teaches protection. Abstinence educations teaches…well…abstaining. But just in case you’re a fan of abstinence, these statistics about STD transmission may change your mind.
6 Responses to “Abstaining From Faith-Based Sex Ed Programs”
Now that looks like a typical Republican response to an important social issue: signage disgned to project your organization’s Hollier than thou-ness.
You know what, though – that sign does have a good message. I mean, kids get mocked in high school and college for being virginal and it’s not a bad thing to wait. It may be unusual these days, but it certainly isn’t horrible to be a 17 or 18 or even 21 year old virgin. Some of us choose to wait.
On the other hand, it does absolutely no good to keep kids ignorant. The ones who want to have sex, will. And if nobody teaches them how to be safe or what the possible consequences could be, then how can we expect them to use condoms or get tested for STDs?
I undstand what you mean but I can’t imagine that sign having any effect whatsoever on a kid. If the kid doesn’t have his/her head on straight by high school its probably to late; and even good kids make bad choices.
Some of the kids I delt with before I retired (custodian) had self-esteem issues and that led to bad choices about dating. Especially the girls; using sex as a way to be popular or so they thought. Many of them good kids otherwise but making bad choices when it comes to choosing friends.
Maybe less symbololizm and more reality and especially help with feeling good about who they are and (as you menttioned) age appropriate sex education.
Exactly why is it wrong to tell girls not to dress provocatively?
Nothing…why do you ask a question as if to imply someone is encouraging her do dress that way.
I have a better question: Why did her parents let her leave the house looking like that. Why did her parents allow her to buy that strip of material she’s calling a skirt? Why do her parents let her go to go around with her stomach hanging out. WHAT’S THERE PROBLEM?
You do realize that in order to dress so as not to “provoke lustful thoughts” in teenage boys, a girl would pretty much have to wear a muumuu right? And someone’s still going to be turned on.
Why is it wrong to tell boys to respect girls whether they’re wearing tight jeans and a sweater or a burka?