The Hook - LETTER- Tell the truth about abstinence

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LETTER- Tell the truth about abstinence

Published May 31, 2007 in issue 0622 of the Hook

In the article "No-sex ed: Abstinence-only aims for local support" published May 3, Cynthia Dussault asserts that there is a solid presence of the Worth-Your-Wait program in Nelson County.

I have been working with a group of concerned parents and county leaders in Nelson to prohibit this program from our public school curriculum. It was introduced only as a pilot program in the eighth grade during the fall of 2006. Despite limited class time dedicated to family life education, the Worth-Your-Wait program was given eight classes during which at least one entire class was devoted to staging a Christian wedding and watching a video of the presenter's wedding. During another class, virginity pledge cards were distributed, and students were encouraged to sign and commit to abstinence-only-until-marriage.

The Why kNOw curriculum, used by Worth-Your-Wait, promotes gender stereotyping and refers to misleading undocumented data and statistics as well as making medically inaccurate statements. The program is based on ideology better taught in the context of church and/or family.

In a diverse public school setting, a comprehensive sex education program should be taught (with the option for parents to opt their child out), giving the students the information necessary to make informed decisions. Our children deserve the respect inherent in teaching the lessons necessary for making life-long informed decisions.

Cheryl Borgman
Afton
[email protected]

Comments

WC Rossberg6/4/2007 2:43:15 AM "Tell the truth about abstinence" ? If you're abstinent, there is a 100% chance that pregnancy will not result from your relationship. That's true, isn't it? If you can't support yourself, you shouldn't have children. Does anyone still believe that? You can't pick up an STD if you're abstinent. Isn't that true? (I guess in the post-Clinton era, that depends....) Is it true that abstinence until marriage is what most parents would prefer for their children? Maybe not. It seems the writer's idea of "a diverse public school setting" is not diverse enough to include those who think sex is better left until marriage. Too bad. God help the children who are primarily counting on their public school for "the lessons necessary for making life-long informed decisions."
Melissa5/6/2008 9:27:18 PM WC, you make some VERY valid points and I just have to wonder why the author of this article hasn't responded back to you. Did they take the time to check out the WYW website? Did they happen to read the statistics of those who get infected with STD and the complications that these STDs can cause? If those aren't reasons enough to teach abstinence what is?

WC Rossberg6/4/2007 2:43:15 AM

"Tell the truth about abstinence" ?

If you're abstinent, there is a 100% chance that pregnancy will not result from your relationship. That's true, isn't it?

If you can't support yourself, you shouldn't have children. Does anyone still believe that?

You can't pick up an STD if you're abstinent. Isn't that true? (I guess in the post-Clinton era, that depends....)

Is it true that abstinence until marriage is what most parents would prefer for their children? Maybe not.

It seems the writer's idea of "a diverse public school setting" is not diverse enough to include those who think sex is better left until marriage. Too bad.

God help the children who are primarily counting on their public school for "the lessons necessary for making life-long informed decisions."

Melissa5/6/2008 9:27:18 PM

WC, you make some VERY valid points and

I just have to wonder why the author of this article hasn't responded back to you.

Did they take the time to check out the WYW website? Did they happen to read the statistics of those who get infected with STD and the complications that these STDs can cause? If those aren't reasons enough to teach abstinence what is?

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by published on 5/31/2007 in the Letters category

published on 5/31/2007

in the Letters category

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