I'm inclined to believe that knowledge is power, and that "abstinence only" programs aren't working. (See Utah's chlamydia rates among younger people.) But I'm the father of only one child--a three year old--who obviously isn't ready for "the talk." But I would like to hear your opinions on this issue, especially if you are experienced parents. Should we support abstinence only programs, or even no programs at all, when it comes to sex ed in public schools?
"Of sex education in Utah, Rep. Bill Wright,
R-Holden, recently said: “Why don’t we just be honest with them up front
that sex outside marriage is devastating?”
Well, if we’re going to be totally up front,
Bill, we’ll have to tell kids that sex outside marriage is also
sometimes awesome. If I were a teacher, and had to “just be honest,” I
would have to tell kids that sex outside marriage — for me — has been
fun, moving, steamy, spiritual and completely disease-free (also
child-free!). I’d also have to tell kids that sometimes it’s been
boring, a blow to my ego and less good than masturbating.
I’m flummoxed by Wright’s sense of “honest”
and “up front.” Clearly, his understanding of those words doesn’t
include the experiences of his constituents. Sex inside of marriage can
also be devastating. It depends how you’re doing it. A few married
people I know are currently devastated by their sex lives, and a few are
overwhelmed by the results of sex without a condom.
Sex with multiple partners can be dangerous,
yes. Herpes? Never awesome. Or so I hear. I never got it, which I owe,
in part, to my eighth-grade sex education class."
Matthew Ivan Bennett
Midvale
