Former Surgeon General Elders Speaks About Abstinence-Only Education

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 16 May 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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During a speech Tuesday to the Urban League in Springfield, Ill., former Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders said she considers abstinence-only education as almost child abuse and advocated boosting comprehensive sex education programs nationwide, the AP/Chicago Tribune reports. Elders said that sex education programs should include information about abstinence and contraception. She added that teenagers, who experience strong emotions and raging hormones, have not been supplied with the tools to make the right decisions (AP/Chicago Tribune, 5/14).

Former President Clinton appointed Elders as surgeon general in 1993. Elders was forced to resign in 1994 after making comments in support of masturbation and condom distribution to help slow the spread of HIV. In 1994, Elders said that masturbation "perhaps should be taught" in schools to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 8/17/07). Elders on Tuesday said the biggest problems the U.S. faces in health care are ignorance and poverty (AP/Chicago Tribune, 5/14).

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