Abstinence only?

There's a big difference in the two ways that sex education is taught. You have either abstinence-only or abstinence-plus. We are to teach students that abstinence is the only way. I would nickname us Positive Polly. Knowing the high school boys that I do, abstinence ain't gone happen.

But, with the abstinence-plus option, we can at least give students information about contraceptive use and let them know that options are out there. That does not seem to be the option in Texas.

In Texas, course materials dealing with sexual issues are reviewed by local advisory councils of parents and community members. This council decides what can be taught. And contraceptive use is omitted from health textbooks.

In 2006, 82% of parents surveyed wanted sex education that not only teaches abstinence, but also methods for preventing pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Nearly 70% of parents want schools to give lessons in the proper application of a condom. Yet, even though this demand is out there, Texas, leading the nation, has pledged nearly$20 million for education that teaches the psychological and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sex.

What is wrong with this picture? The parents want it; the kids need it. If your high school is anything like mine, we should start talking contraceptive use in the fourth grade. There are plenty of YA novels to help ease this conversation. Angela Johnson's First Part Last is one of those. No matter what text you use, we have to open to channels for conversation about safe sex. Teenage pregnancy is nearing epidemic proportions and we must do our part as educators to educate our children.