Sexual
Education in Schools
Introduction
Sexual
education is a touchy subject for many Missourians. Most would agree
that when a person decides to become sexually active, he or she should
be aware of both the risks of that decision and the options available
to minimize those risks. How the individual receives that information has become a hot topic.
The school system provides a unique opportunity to present instruction
in a structured format that allows for discussion with peers. However,
many believe that some types of sexual education in the school
system send the message
that sexual activity is permissible, especially to impressionable
teenagers.
Therefore, a constant struggle persists over what information should
be presented in the school setting. This legislation is both a result
and a continuance of that struggle.
Bill
Information and Links
HB 1075
Sponsored by Rep.
Cynthia Davis
Co-sponsored by Rep.
Jane Cunningham and Rep.
Danielle Moore
This bill would change the way that sexual education topics are
presented in both public and charter schools in Missouri.
Currently, the state requires that schools present all students with
information on contraception, sexually transmitted disease and other
sexual topics. Under this legislation, that requirement
would be eliminated and schools would merely be required to inform
students that this information is available from their family
practitioner. Schools may choose to provide additional instruction but
would not be required to do so.
The bill would also prevent abortion providers from presenting
materials or instruction on sexual education topics.
The bill was introduced in January and referred to the House Children
and Families Committee. Following a public hearing in February, the
committee voted to pass the bill substitute in March. The bill is
currently scheduled for a 150-minute debate in the entire House.
Public Opinion
At a public hearing in February, several organizations and individuals
expressed their viewpoints on this bill and the larger issues of sexual
education and abortion.
Supporters of the bill say that sexual education is a topic best
addressed by parents and doctors, not the school system. Supporters
also express a desire to keep abortion providers
out of schools.
Supporters include Missouri Right to Life and Missouri Family Network. The entire list of supporters testifying at the public hearing can be seen here.
Opponents of the bill say that it does not allow for an informed
discussion in schools concerning sexual issues. They say that some
students may be too hesitant to ask their family practitioner for
information and in the absence of receiving it may make unwise sexual
choices. Furthermore, some students may not even have a family
pracititoner.
The strongest opponent to the legislation is Planned
Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has also
expressed opposition to abstinence-only education in general.
Other individuals--including doctors and students--expressed opposition to the legislation at the public hearing in February.
What's
Happening in Other States
State
requirements concerning the way that sexual education is covered in
schools vary greatly. Currently, 37 states require schools to present
instruction in sexually transmitted diseases and 21 require the
instruction of sexual education in general.
For an overview, take a look at a very good summary of state requirements from the Alan Guttmacher Institute.
Helpful Links
News stories and
newsletter articles on
the proposed legislation
Kansas City Star (3-12-06)
Columbia Daily Tribune (2-23-06)
St. Louis Post-Dispatch (2-22-06)
Other
Links
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
This government agency conducts research and campaigns to improve the health of Americans. The site's sections on sexually transmitted diseases and adolescent sexual behaviors are particularly relevant to this topic.
Sexuality Education Facts in Brief from the Alan Guttmacher Institute
A comprehensive fact sheet on sexual issues and education.
Missouri Right to Life
One of the strongest supporters of the legislation, this organization
supports the fight against several issues--including abortion,
euthanasia and cloning.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.
The major opponent to the legislation. This site is that of the national organization.
Reporting
Tips
Why this story is worth
reporting
Sexual
education is a matter that affects every high school student. Teenagers
should at least be aware that the way they receive information on
sexual topics could change. If they support or oppose those changes,
their voices should be heard in the debate.
Interesting Facts
According to the CDC:
- In
2003, 47% of high school students claimed to have had sexual
intercourse and 14% had had at least four partners during their
lifetime. In addition, 37% of sexually active high school students
admitted that they had not used a condom at their last sexual
intercourse. (click here for more)
- 34% of young women become pregnant before the age of 20 (click here for more)
- 19 million new sexually transmitted infections occur each year, almost half among people age 15-24. (click here for more)
According to a report
from Planned Parenthood, 81% of Americans and 75% of parents want their
children to receive a variety of infomation on sexual topics (including
contraception and sexually transmitted dieseases). Given the choice,
only 1-5% of parents do not consent to their child's participation in
responsible sex education courses. See the report for more evidence in
opposition to abstinence-only sexual education.
A report
from the Heritage Foundation points to statistics in support of
abstinence-only education programs. For example, in a study of 7th
through 12th graders, signing a virginity pledge was a significant
factor in delaying early sexual activity. Another program, Family
Accountability Communicating Teen Sexuality (FACTS), was also shown to
delay the onset of sexual activity. Students who participated were
30-50% less likely to participate in sexual activity than those who did
not. See the site for more programs and evidence supporting their
effectiveness.
Who
to Interview
**Be sure to talk to your
journalism instructor and/or school administrators before beginning a
story on this subject. Sexual education topics are very controversial,
especially when they appear in high school news outlets. If you are
given permission to write the story, be sure that it is based on fact
and does not appear to be biased in one direction. Stick to the
legislation itself and do not veer into sexual issues themselves.
**Talk
to your peers and find out how they prefer to learn about sexual
education topics, whether it be through their parents, peers, educators
or family doctor. Would they be willing to openly discuss those issues
with their family doctor?
**Talk
to your school administrators to find out how sexual education topics
are currently covered in your school's curriculum. Has the policy been
addressed by your local school board?
**Local
statistics on sexual topics (such as STD occurrences, pregnancies and
abortions) may be available from your local department.
**If
time allows, talk to representatives from both sides of the issue For
example, interview a local member of Missouri Right to Life as well as
the director of your local Planned Parenthood. Be sure to give both
equal representation in the story.
Sidebar/Infographic/Photo
Ideas
**A recap of your school's current sexual education policies.
**An
informal poll of how students currently receive the majority of their
information concerning sexual topics would make an interesting graph or
sidebar.
**Statistics available from your local health
department can be converted to a graph showing the prevalence of early
sexual involvement in your community.
MoStuGov