Lost cause?
Should the state continue to fund abstinence education?
Date published: 11/30/2007
WAS GOV. KAINE'S recent decision to stop funding abstinence-only sex education in the public schools a pragmatic move, or is his liberal side emerging after recent Democratic gains in the legislature? Either way, his whacking of $275,000 for abstinence-only programs from the budget--funds that the feds would have matched--is the latest volley in the sex-ed culture wars.
Citing studies that claim abstinence-only programs "don't work well enough," Mr. Kaine cut off state funding for every one of them in Virginia, including at least two hereabouts. And, yes, if the aim of these programs is to dissuade teens from sexual activity and that isn't happening, by all means turn off the spigots.
But there's more to this issue than meets the eye. A spokesman for the governor identified two studies behind Mr. Kaine's decision: one by Mathematica Policy Research, published in April, and one by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancies called "Emerging Answers 2007," by researcher Douglas Kirby. Superficially, the results of these two studies seem convincing: The federally funded Mathematica study found that abstinence education has no significant impact on teen sexual behavior. "Emerging Answers" came up with the same finding, adding, however, that "two-thirds of the 48 comprehensive programs that supported both abstinence and the use of condoms and contraceptives for sexually active teens had positive behavioral effects."
Seems clear, doesn't it? But advocates of abstinence education can quickly point out flaws. The Mathematica survey, for example, looked at only four obscure abstinence-only programs. None continued past middle school, and all were composed years ago, before abstinence-only education had developed. What's more, the Emerging Answers study isn't exactly neutral. Mr. Kirby, it seems, has a dog in this fight: The company he works for, ETR Associates, is a major developer of comprehensive sex-ed curricula.
Emerging Answers notes that few- er than 10 in-depth studies of abstinence programs have been conducted, yet on that skimpy evidence concludes that "abstinence programs have not produced sufficient evidence to justify their widespread dissemination." One program that has had intensive study, however, is used right in our area.
Date published: 11/30/2007
Most recent reader comments:
I agree with Kaine
(posted by
bosmom
, Dec. 4, 2007 6:35 am)
That is a lot of money that could be used elsewhere. The responsibility to teach children about abstinence or safe sex should be at home. Caroline County has a Family Life program and I opt out my children every year. I don't feel that it is the schools place to teach my children the "facts of life".
Why don't we just have the schools...
(posted by
freedomfirst
, Dec. 3, 2007 8:47 pm)
teach the children proper oral sex? You can't teach a dog in heat abstinence nor convince him to use prophylactics, so what makes anyone think we can teach little humans anything. We are not talking about the brain here folks...
like that could be enforced
(posted by
senor
, Dec. 3, 2007 4:49 pm)
even if it were Constitutional.
Anywho, this article is full of junk. Besides, would you rather pay for condoms now or abortions and child support later?
The law
(posted by
troyb43
, Nov. 30, 2007 6:47 pm)
All should be taught that it is against the law in the Cmmonwealth to have sex with someone you are not married to: 18.2-344 Fornication -Any person, not being married, who voluntarily shall have sexual intercourse with any other person, shall be guilty of fornication, punishable as a Class 4 misdemeanor
Abstinence only programs do not encourage the use of contraceptives.
(posted by
Chiswald
, Nov. 30, 2007 10:02 am)
Instead they rely on "virginity pledges" and other wishful thinking. Let's all pledge to be honest and we can do away with police, courts, and jails. Comprhensive programs that enourage abstinence AND contraceptives make sense. The FLS should abstain from buying into Heritage Foundation nonsense.
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