If, as the Sunday article on sex education indicated, there is a debate on the subject, why was only one side of the debate presented? Again, readers are presented with Planned Parenthood's opinion presented as fact. The article interviewed no member of an agency or organization critical of so-called "comprehensive" sex education in the public schools. Perhaps this is why so many errors and half-truths crept in:

Senate Bill 1 with requirements regarding abstinence instruction was passed in May 1995, not 1996. The article actually glosses over the fact that after five years BISD is still out of compliance with state requirements. This is because the BISD school board has granted Planned Parenthood and its allies too much influence over curriculum.

The article laments the restrictions of abstinence grant programs. For perspective, consider that the Senate Bill 1 mandate uses the word "not" only once: "A school district may not distribute condoms in connection with instruction relating to human sexuality." Is this what Planned Parenthood objects to, or is it the requirement that "human use" failure rates of contraception be taught?

In this regard, the truth was turned upside down by Lievanos of Planned Parenthood who claimed that abstinence-based curriculum suppresses information on contraception and "deprives young people of valuable information." In reality, many abstinence-based programs do inform students of contraception methods. Planned Parenthood would prefer to suppress the facts regarding failure rates of contraceptives.

Avita of BISD complains that teachers are hesitant about the curriculum. If the state and federal governments won't sanction BISD's curriculum, I don't blame the teachers one bit. Would BISD like to explain why their curriculum failed to meet the federal guidelines?

One state guideline is that sex education be "age appropriate." I attended some of the Health Advisory Council meetings, where Planned Parenthood's allies sought to teach the names of sexual organs to first graders. One draft for grades 7-12 sought to require students to describe "positive and negative ramifications of terminating a pregnancy."

Parents, you need to take charge of instructing your children regarding sexuality. Your children's lives may depend on it--and if you don't, these social activists will use you as an excuse when they tell your children how to be promiscuous.

© 2001, 2003 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 8 March 2003.
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