Palin's sex-education policy

September 2, 2008 | Vetting explained

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Last updated: September 2, 2008

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In an Eagle Forum Alaska questionnaire, Palin gave this response to the following question: "Will you support funding for abstinence-until-marriage education instead of for explicit sex-education programs, school-based clinics, and the distribution of contraceptives in schools?" Palin: "Yes, the explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support." Palin supports abstinence-only for all education programs. Now, because Palin's own un-wed teen daughter is pregnant, it understandably brings a lot of attention to the effectiveness of the "abstinence-until-marriage" education policy that Palin supports. I believe her daughter's pregnancy is a personal issue, and no one should be passing judgement on her daughter. Anyone can use poor judgement, and thousands of young people do. I am not judging Palin's daughter, it's none of my business. But as a voter I am contemplating and discussing with my peers the impact this news has on my opinion of the effectiveness of Mrs. Palin's policies. The ongoing debate this issue highlights is the funding of public school's sex-education programs that go beyond saying "don't do it until you're married". Even though I believe it should be a parent's responsibility to teach their children about sex issues like pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, some parents do not - or they really try to teach them but can't get through to them. Maybe the parents are not comfortable with the subject, or not very close with their teens, or their teens are rebelling and don't listen to them anyway. For this reason I believe funding of sex-ed programs is very important! The issues of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease are very real! Professional, qualified sex-ed teachers can sometimes get through to teens in a more effective way than their parents can (duh!). The availability of sex-education outside the home is important, and exclusively teaching abstinence-only is as archaic as it is irresponsible. In addition, Social Conservatives know darn good and well that if a sex-education program is offered in a public educational facility, every parent must sign a consent form. It's simple, if you choose to "home school" your version of sex-ed to your children you don't sign the form. No one is forcing parents to send their children to the school's sex-ed class. Thousands of young people, plainly even those who were taught "abstinence-until-marriage", go against their parent's advice and have sex anyway. I am 100% supportive of teaching "abstinence-is-best" - that's great. But if your teen is sexually active, or could even possibly become sexually active (most of the time involved parents know their children well enough to determine this) it is your responsibility as a parent to make sure your child has the best education available on the subject of preventing STDs and pregnancy. You do it to keep them safe. You do it because you love your daughters and sons and you will do whatever it takes to protect them. To Mrs. Palin: In this area it would seem as though you really practice what you preach, but your sermon missed your most important audience.

Posted in Assignment:
Sarah Palin's political future

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