ACLU To Lobby Florida School District To Abandon Abstinence-Only Sex Education

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 21 Jul 2008 - 3:00 PST

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The American Civil Liberties Union recently announced that it plans to lobby the Volusia County School District in Florida to abandon its abstinence-only education program and to teach children how to prevent unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, the Orlando Sentinel reports. According to the Sentinel, Florida since 1991 has required its schools to teach human sexuality. Sex education -- including discussions on sex, pregnancy and STIs -- occurs mostly in middle school and 10th grade health classes.

The Volusia school district currently teaches students that "sex is risky" and that "abstinence is best," while the nearby Brevard School District recently began teaching students about birth control while stressing abstinence is the "expected standard." A committee of Volusia educators and community members will begin meeting in September and make a recommendation to the superintendent late this year.

George Griffin, head of ACLU's chapter in Volusia, said, "This is basic, lifesaving information that's being censored away from the kids." Pat Westbrook, an advocate who helped lead the effort to teach abstinence-only sex education in Volusia in the late 1980s, said ACLU's proposed changes were "disgusting" and could lead teens to make bad choices (Balona, Orlando Sentinel, 7/17).

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