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Church
Sex Education Program Preaches More than Abstinence |
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The sex education
program, Our Whole Lives, a joint effort of the Unitarian-Universalist
Church and the United Church of Christ, not only stresses the value of
abstinence but also includes extensive discussions of birth control, safe
sex, and sexual orientation. To date, each denomination has trained more
than 1,000 teachers in the program.
Supporters of the program say misinformation is so prevalent among youths
that a pre-emptive approach is necessary. Parent Steven Falk, who teaches in
the program, said: "No question that there was wrong information that needed
to be corrected. I asked them what the chance was they could receive [an
STD] and they were way off."
According to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health policy group,
people ages 15-25 comprise a quarter of the nation's sexually active
population but account for almost half of new STD cases each year. "People
are going to develop sexually whether parents are ready for it or not," said
Falk.
The Rev. Bonnie Dlott, a trainer and coordinator of Bay Area Our Whole Lives
programs, said one of the goals is to teach open communication, so that by
the time kids reach sexual maturity they can talk comfortably with their
parents about intimate issues. "We believe withholding information from our
youth does not keep them safe," she said.
Dlott said she seeks out teachable moments with the kids. "Let's say you're
watching a TV program and you see a couple just slip into bed and have
perfect sex. You can say, 'Did you see that? What do you think of that? Did
they put on a condom? Was there any discussion about commitment?'"
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Contra Costa Times
(03.26.07):: Rebecca Rosen Lum |
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We are providing the above information as a public
service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay
media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases
does not constitute endorsement. The above summaries were prepared
without conducting any additional research or investigation into the
facts and statements made in the articles being summarized, and
therefore readers are expressly cautioned against relying on the
validity or invalidity of any statements made in these summaries. This
CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News
Update also includes information from CDC and
other government agencies, such as background on MMWR articles, fact
sheets and announcements. |
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