Washington, D.C., Sex Education Programs 'Exclude Parental Involvement,' Editorial Says

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Public Health;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 25 Sep 2008 - 10:00 PDT

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Although Washington, D.C., schools have been attempting to establish a rigid health curriculum for years, they have struggled "chiefly because health ed has become sex ed and administrators exclude parental involvement every step of the way," a Washington Times editorial says. Particularly, the school system's "idea of incorporating sexual identity into the curriculum has become a benchmark for adolescents -- and that, too, is problematic," the editorial says, adding, "Parental involvement is key in a child's academic life as it is regarding a child's health and welfare." According to the Times, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education last year released a set of health education guidelines that was "largely silent on curriculum but specific about what knowledge children should have mastered in each grade," such as knowledge of the physical differences and similarities between boys and girls.

The editorial notes that more than 14% of newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases in the district were among young adults ages 20 to 29, and that new infections for 13- to 19-year-olds accounted for 0.6% of all new cases. The editorial asks that if "new infection rates among teens is low, why encourage preadolescents how to engage in sex?" According to the editorial, health education in the early grades "should focus on just that -- health and nutrition." It concludes that the "school system cannot leave the subject matter to the exclusive discretion of its teachers. What it ultimately should do is leave the rights, wrongs and tolerance teachings where they belong -- in the home" (Washington Times, 9/23).

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