Thursday, April 23, 2009

She said what?

And I quote: "If Federal funding for abstinence education were to go away the breadth of the approach will be hindered." [Valerie Huber, National Abstinence Education Association]

My WTF, let me show it to you:
* Illinois State law mandates that high school sex ed emphasis abstinence. So no federal program will make that "go away".
* $176 million Federal dollars currently bribe schools to teach only abstinence as pregnancy prevention. It is only this funding that is under reconsideration. Thus the current state is teaching one option, the alternative is teaching many alternatives. Cherchez the loss of "breath of approach" when one approach is replaced by diverse approaches?

Also:
* Currently 39% of Illinois schools teach only abstinence before marriage (another 60% present it as the best alternative).
* 66% of high school senior are sexually active.
* Teen pregnancy rate in the state increased this year, just as they did last year.

So, to sum up, not teaching kids about contraception has not proven to be a great way to reduce teen pregnancy.

Go figure.

9 comments:

Maureen said...

I think that is a great way to CUT federal spending! What a waste! I will never understand the people who support that view. It will never happen- kids are going to have sex.

Heather in Beautiful BC said...

That might work in elementary school - but really - what's the point in hiding your head in the sand - kids are way more savvy today.

And yes, they are going to have sex - so teaching safe sex would be a very good thing!

David Tulloch said...

Speaking from experience ... if anything promotes abstinence it is having a kid or two ... so maybe it's a long-term plan by conservatives?

Sadie said...

I don't remember having sex ed taught to me. Ever. My mom handed me a book and that was that. Teenagers are going to have sex. They should have access to condoms. Period.

ConnieFoggles said...

Sex Ed should be just that - teaching about sex and that includes birth control. We're not only talking about preventing pregnancy we're talking about saving lives.

Benjamin Solah said...

*heads desk*

These stupid stories never stop. I don't think they'll ever win but I think the point is to undermine any relationship outside the nuclear family so even if they do it, it's still considered 'not normal.'

BarbaraRae said...

Kids are going to have sex, and they are getting younger and younger when they do. I've never felt that having the feds and schools involved to teach sex ed, was the thing to do. Sex ed starts at home...but for some reason families have trouble talking about it...so it winds up for schools to teach.

Anonymous said...

I cant believe they thought it would haha

corrin said...

Like Heather said, that make work in elementary school, but not in highschool. I think Bristol Palin proved that.