You are absolutely correct that stigmatization of sex is not part of an abstinence-only curriculum. However, the approach — in my experience and in the experience of people who have conducted research — is that students feel alienated by the way sex is approached in such a curriculum and that it discourages them from asking other questions. In fact, teachers are prohibited from even answering a question about protection because it could impact federal funding that the school receives. So, the stigmatization is a side effect of the way that the education is approached. (Sex is for marriage and if you are doing it sooner then we will not educate you about what to do; that attitude in itself alienates the majority of students who are sexually active before the end of high school and leaves them unable to ask their teachers/professionals questions)
That said, your point that it should be up to the parents is 100 percent on the mark. Too often parents/guardians rely on the schools for sex education when in reality each family has its own guidelines and moral values, and it is important that parents make these known to their children. If parents were doing this more often, there is no doubt that it would only create a safer sexual environment with our nation's teenagers.
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You are absolutely correct that stigmatization of sex is not part of an abstinence-only curriculum. However, the approach — in my experience and in the experience of people who have conducted research — is that students feel alienated by the way sex is approached in such a curriculum and that it discourages them from asking other questions. In fact, teachers are prohibited from even answering a question about protection because it could impact federal funding that the school receives. So, the stigmatization is a side effect of the way that the education is approached. (Sex is for marriage and if you are doing it sooner then we will not educate you about what to do; that attitude in itself alienates the majority of students who are sexually active before the end of high school and leaves them unable to ask their teachers/professionals questions)
That said, your point that it should be up to the parents is 100 percent on the mark. Too often parents/guardians rely on the schools for sex education when in reality each family has its own guidelines and moral values, and it is important that parents make these known to their children. If parents were doing this more often, there is no doubt that it would only create a safer sexual environment with our nation's teenagers.
April 27, 2009 - 2:39pmThis Comment
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