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Proposed bill stresses abstinance to students

January 30, 1997
By: Naomi Smith
State Capital Bureau

A new legislative bill is sparking controversy in Missouri public schools. The measure stresses abstinence as the preferred choice of sexual behavior, not the safe sex message that bill supporters say is presently taught to children. The bill would also prohibit school districts from distributing condoms or other contraceptives to students.

Teachers and parents who support the bill say abstinence should be stressed as the only 100 percent effective way to prevent pregnancy and other diseases. Others disagree. They say students should be taught all forms of safe sex and birth control, without an emphasis on abstinence.

KBIA's Naomi Smith reports.

Story:Naomi Smith
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC Although the bill has yet come before the Senate, the bill, nicknamed the "morality bill," is already creating quite a stir among many Missourians. If passed, public schools would stress abstinence in its sexual education classes.

Chairman of Education and the bill's sponsor Ted House says the bill is long overdue.

Actuality:Ted House
RunTime:
OutCue: "teenage sexual promiscuity"
Contents:

House says the bill is part of an effort to improve high school graduation rates.

But Rev. Coletta Eichenberger, vice president of community affairs for Planned Parenthood in Columbia, says stressing abstinence in sexual education classes is not a realistic portrayl of today's society.

Actuality: Coletta I. Eichenberger
RunTime:
OutCue: "accurately as well."
Contents:

Eichenberger says young people must plan to stay abstient, but if that plan fails, they must know all the options for safe sex.

But Charles Quint, assistant professor and preschool teacher of the Green Door Child Development Lab at MU, says success rates for abstinence can be positive if it is stressed to children and fostered throughout their education.

Actuality:Charles Quint
RunTime:
OutCue: "without any knowledge of it."
Contents:

Quint says sexual education starts at a young age, and teaching abstinance early would raise self-esteem and the emotional and mental health of children.

But Columbia resident and parent Laura Thurman, with two young children in the Missouri public school system, disagrees. She says including abstinance in sexual education classes is good, but not stressing other safe sex methods is a mistake.

Actuality:Laura Thurman
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents:

Thurman says public schools should allow contraceptives to be available to students who request them. However, the bill's sponsor Ted House says distributing contraceptives and teaching abstinance would send mixed signals to childen.

Actuality:Ted House
RunTime:
OutCue: "making contraceptives available."
Contents:

The measure has been referred to the full Senate.

From the capital city, I'm Naomi Smith.