So, if this bank holiday weekend has taught me anything, it is that I do not have things as figured out as I probably should have... BUT I think I can be sure of one thing, and that is this: RELIGION AND EDUCATION SHOULD NEVER MIX.
It is stories that I hear such as the following that are the basis for that opinion. Let me fill you in...
Last week it came about that a group of educated, rational people (including exemplary parents) are suing the Clovis Unified School District in California because their abstinence-only sex education programme violates state law by giving kids ridiculous suggestions of how not to contract STDs.
Abstinence-only sex education is an actual form of education that teaches that abstinence is the only form of effective contraception- it fails to acknowledge any other form of regular contraceptive and runs with the idea that children don't talk to their friends about anything, or have access to the media or anything like that. Those in favour argue that abstinence-only sex education is superior to comprehensive sex education because it emphasises the teaching of no-sex-before-marriage, which they believe comes with "heavy physical and emotional costs". Yes, it's roots are in religion (some might say that it's just standard blackmail and control of the Christian Church to get people to enter into the institution of marriage. But surely not?! It is, of course, just morally sound to ignore our bodies and natural urges. Sex is bad, folks).
So, two parents and a coalition of the American Academy of Pediatrics California District IX, and the Gay-Straight Alliance Network filed this lawsuit against the Clovis Unified School District because the district uses textbooks that neglect to mention that condoms can prevent the spread of STDs. But don't worry please, because they do offer these other super-helpful contraceptives:
- Respecting Yourself (because only insecure people contract STDs)
- Getting Plenty of Rest (because only tired, insecure people contract STDs?)
- Hanging Out in Groups (because they have not heard of spin the bottle, group sex, or covering for your maaaates)
- Practicing Abstinence (because they were running out of ideas?)
So, yeah, respecting yourself, getting plenty of rest, going out in a group and practicing abstinence can prevent you from catching sexually transmitted diseases. With all these sensible solutions, why mention condoms?!
One of my other favourite parts of the textbook is the part where they compare a woman who is not a virgin to a dirty shoe.... “No woman would want to give a man a pair of dirty shoes on his wedding day.” Gross!
Not forgetting the bit where they suggest that men are unable to stop themselves once they become sexually aroused. Poor guys!
Anyway, under Californian law, sex education programs must be “comprehensive, medically accurate, bias-free, and appropriate for students of all sexual orientations”.
Spokeswoman Kelly Avants told the Los Angeles Times that Clovis Unified was in compliance with state law by promoting abstinence as “the only 100% surefire way to prevent pregnancy.” She refused to comment on the issue of condoms and contraception.
Just so we're all clear: abstinence-only sexual education DOES NOT WORK. A 2007 federal study indicated that abstinence-only education ultimately had “no impacts” at all on rates of sexual abstinence. States with sex education and health classes that stress “abstinence-only” education rank the highest in the numbers of underage pregnancies.
It gets worse though...
One of the instructional materials they use is a video made by a Florida-based group called "Project SOS", founded by Pam Mullarkey, who has also served as president of the Florida Abstinence Education Association. Turns out, Mullarkey's not only a fan of dangerously incomplete medical information, but also, a few years ago, she wrote a glowing review of Ugandan Pastor Martin Ssempa, calling him "the man to watch":
"He's the most powerful voice for abstinence in the world and his passion, charisma, and character make his vital message irresistible."
Yes, you may remember Pastor Ssempa for that "Kill the Gays" bill, which would criminalise the "promotion" of gay rights and make homosexuality punishable by death in some cases. GOOD.
That's right: teenagers are not just learning that it's more productive to go to sleep than to use a condom when it comes to practicing safe sex, they're learning it from someone who finds Ssempa and his work "irresistible". GREAT.
SERIOUSLY?
This is just insane. It is mental. There is no place for religion in schools. The witholding of information, and worse, the advocation of misinformation is so horribly dangerous and detrimental to the education of children that it is tantamount to child abuse.
AND I DONT THINK IM OVER-REACTING.
I feel cross about it. Synonymous to how I felt after that Loch Ness Monster story! I literally can't fathom how an educated adult would ever think this form of "education" is feasible.
Gah.
I need to stop before I do over-react... ;]
It is VERY Lucky this week though, that I have had the pleasure of watching this plea from one of the loves of my life, Bill Nye (WHO IS NOT DEAD, TWITTER YOU LIAR). Did you know he was taught by Carl Sagan?! That's my actual dream!! Watch this if you haven't seen it already:
I think all Americans should be made to watch this.
(I love you Nye)
L.
