Palin in Comparison: Sex Education

Given today's announcement the Sarah Palin's daughter is pregnant at the age of 17, it seems appropriate to shed some light on the differences between candidates when it comes to sex education.

It is simple, Sarah Palin and John Mc Cain support only "abstinence based sex education programs", while Barack Obama and Joe Biden support "sensible, community-driven education for children because, among other things, he believes it could help protect them from pedophiles. A child's knowledge of the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touching is crucial to keeping them safe from predators." Get that folks, age appropriate science based information that keeps kids safe. Materials that have been created by public health educators are used all over the country and have been proven to work. When more than half of the STDs and HIV in this country is contracted by people under the age of 25, comprehensive sex education is a must.

Abstinence sex ed programs tell kids that saying no is their ONLY option. Having gone all my life to Catholic school, even WE were given more information than that. Thank goodness. Comprehensive programs address issues like what are appropriate touches, birth control, the dangers of HIV and consequences of sexual behaviors. Geez, I know plenty of ADULTS who could use a refresher on that! Is having those kind of discussions with folks who are trained to have these discussions with kids a bad thing? It seems it only can help them in the real world, when "No, really means NO! or when teens really do "love each other". 85% of Americans said they support sex education programs.

More over, most sex education programs have opt-out options. If a parent is opposed, then they can pull their child from the program. So if you feel that you can do a better job and talking about the bird and the bees with your kids, then feel free. It's your choice. I know that after my kids have that talk, I'll be following up the session to make sure all their questions were answered and to advise them to wait. But that is MY job as a parent. Schools are there to ensure to that my child gets the basic facts, right?

Sarah Palin and John McCain with their screwed up values don't get to take that choice away from me.

Comments

[Peak]

More over, most sex education programs have opt-out options. If a parent is opposed, then they can pull their child from the program.

[SacramentoBlog]

I see Palin's position on sex ed just like McCain's on Iraq- you got it wrong, you know you got it wrong, you've seen the evidence that you are wrong, but you still keep insisting you are right.

[Sharon]

Maine has refused federal funds to teach abstinence-only because it's been proven it doesn't work to reduce pregnancy or STD rates. How irresponsible is it for children, who don't have parents at home to help them or classes to teach them, to only receive abstinence-only misinformation when they need to know all their options so they can protect themselves.

[Jo-Ann]

This is what scares me about Palin and what the republicans will do. I am really fearful that they will use her daughter's pregnancy as a campaign tactic. Anytime she is asked anything at all about social issues such as abortion, sex education, creationism in schools, the repubs will get on their high horse, point a finger and say "How dare you bring this up knowing her daughter is pregnant!" "How dare you bring her daughter into this!" Etc, etc. Even when her daughter is never mentioned and in fact, she is only being appropriately asked about her stand on these issues. It will be McCain's camp or other repubs who are using/bringing her daughter into it, but of course it will be spun as if it's Obama and the dems. I really hope it doesn't play out this way, but I have a pit in my stomach over the whole thing. And given the tactics used thus far concerning games played with journalist access and now journalists being arrested for covering a story, I think my fears are justified.

[Ron]

Nah, don't feel bad, your Fears are NOT justified. Your Fears are from trying to make something out of nothing when knowing the TRUTH and afraid to face it.

Sarah Palin is a good person. She is your neighbor, the Wife that went to work and hard at it standing for everything all you Liberals croon women should be, but now fear is exactly what will beat your candidate. She is the Mom that supports her children, NO Matter what. And as much as you attempt to deny it, she IS qualified for the position, much more so than the Democrat candidate attempting to make President.

I almost feel sorry for all of you that ramble unjustified comments about how she is unqualified for the position. Aside from all of her experience, as a Person alone she is qualified.

B.H.O. however...
http://www.humanevents.com/caseagainstobama/

[Vicky]

Ergh.. this is one of my biggest issues this election- along with wanting a Prez who deems equality in pay for women, the environment and believing that we really do need a change. I live in fear that all we have worked for in the past few decades in sex education will be wiped out.

As for being qualified. Sure, she might be qualified. She's been on the scene. I just can't buy into the tactics that this party uses. I'm so sick of the status quo.

[Jo-Ann]

Ummmmm Ron, I didn't say I feel badly. I said that I fear that the Republicans will employ the same questionable tactics that they have been employing for 8 plus years, only this time at the expense of a teenage girl. I have no fears of facing the truth, I KNOW the truth. These past eight years have been the biggest dose of truth that anyone should need and McCain's plans are to carry on with more of the same. *That* is the truth and that is my fear. But don't "almost feel sorry" for me. The truth is as plain as the writing on the wall Ron; I almost feel sorry for you for not seeing it.

As for Sarah Palin, I have said nothing about her personally. I have said nothing to demean her as a mother, a neighbor or a wife. But her beliefs are not mine, she stands for things that I do not believe in, end of story. She has a right to her opinion, I have a right to mine and never the twain shall meet. I'm sure you'll find a problem with that as well, as it seems you find the need to make assumptions about people willy nilly when they disagree with you. But for the record, that is where I stand, speaking of issues only and I have not strayed from that one bit.

[KBO]

Since when did being a good person qualify you for the White House? Because the Dem candidates are all about "abandoning their children" Sarah Palin should get props for NOT abandoning her child? That's just doing what she should do. That doesn't suddenly qualify her to be second in command. Your argument makes absolutely no sense.

[Laurie in Maine]

So what night of the convention does the RNC throw the shot gun wedding?
I'm sorry, but what exactly does "Hockey Mom" mean?

"Don't ask. Don't Tell. They won't...REALLY!"

Doesn't seem to work so well. Go Maine!

[JB]

Hello All-
I usually don't comment, esp. on blogs because nothing every seems to get solved. Mostly people just rant and run. That said: First off, I am male. Second, I am single. Third, I am conservative (not Republican). I know that pretty much disqualifies me from even reading this blog, but since this is America... My first point which most here don't seem to know is that Mrs. Palin originally stated she "supported abstinence till marriage" programs in a questionaire. (I'm guessing that most here wouldn't support an "abstinence till marriage" policy for there own children, rather a "abstinence till your married unless you're going to have sex, then use a condom" policy) Nowhere in those few lines did I say "abstinence only". I said "abstinence till marriage". Why do you suppose the question was asked that way. One could interpret the answer as "I support abstinence till marriage programs, but I also am in favor of children knowing about condems and other forms of protection". The two are not mutually exclusive, and they both are answers to the same question. One should remember, these statements were answers pulled from a questionaire during her "2006 gubernatorial campaign". Now I know you only have my word for it, but after working in the California State Legislature helping to design questionaires, ALL are designed to elicite an exact response. Questions are asked in such a way that they may be interpreted in whichever manner best suits their creators. (There are lies, damn lies, and statistics...) Weeks after this questionaire, Mrs. Palin, in a debate, said "I'm pro-contraception, and I think kids who may not hear about it at home should hear about it in other avenues,". This information was taken, not from blogs and talking points, but from the LA-Times. It is public record. I will now wait until someone shows me EVIDENCE later than the 2006 debate proving she has changed her mind. I will also wait until I hear (during the upcoming debates) what she has to say in "her own words". As for the truth of the whole matter. I remember back to being a teenager. I knew about birth-control and about sex. I understood the consequences and the ramifacations (sp??) of my actions. It wasn't the school that taught me. In fact, I probably slept through the sex education classes I was in. Peers and parents are going to have the most influence on what teens know and do. I personally think that sex ed shouldn't even be taught in school. I can't believe that little Sally and little Johnny won't have learned, at least the rudiments, of sex by the age of 12. Parents should be teaching right from wrong. If you want your children to learn (and I assume you care or you wouldn't be reading this), teach them by example. Turn off the TV. Spend time in discussion. I'm sorry if it's not convient or "the right time". Getting pregnant at 17 years old isn't the right time either. I don't believe the school should teach "abstinence-only", but only because it shouldn't be doing a parent's job. You want kids to know right from wrong, teach by example not empty platitudes. A change of direction: If I told you that starting at the age of 21, you put away $250 per month in an investment at 8% (I would have to recalculate to be exact) and did this until you were 65, you would retire with over 1 million dollars in the bank. Now, would you start saving right away? Why not, it's the truth? It's proven beyond a doubt. You could easily be a millionaire. I'm sure you have several reasons why you couldn't. If I told you that if you practice abstinence, you wouldn't get pregnant, would you believe me. Why not, it's the truth? I'm sure your teenager have a million reasons whynot. Abstinence is not the only form of birth control, but it is the surest way to remain free of STDs and pregnancy. Just because something is right, proven, and practiced ever day by millions doesn't mean everyone will do it. Thats a teenager (or their parents) for you. I feel that parents should impart this wisdom to their own children, and let the schools get back to the 3 Rs. Yes, you call me naive, but what is so naive about putting responsibility where it belongs. The true conservative believes this: I'm not going to take away your choice to tell your children what you want. You can tell them a stork delivers if you like. But....., if something happens, and your child gets pregnant-you deal with it. It's not the school's problem, or the communite's (sp?) problem, or the government's problem. Take responsibility for yours. By doing that we will all strive for what's best. Each of use doing the best we know how. And if someone shows us a better way-we don't have to wait for government or the schools to tell little Sally or little Johnny about condoms-we can do it ourselves. Oh yes, and whether you like the way they are doing it or not, the Palin family is handling things themselves, responsibily. I don't think you could ask more from anyone who wants the best for their family, their community, and their country. Thank you for allowing me my opinions. I hope I have helped open a few eyes to what I feel are "blogisphere" inaccuraces and people to lazy to make an informed decision. (I'm sorry for the misspellings. I am also to lazy to keep looking every word up. I do accept sole responsibility.) Good evening, and blast away!

[Jill]

JB, the Eagle Forum refers to abstinence-only programs as "abstinence till marriage" because it sounds better to most people. Likewise, they refer to comprehensive sex education programs as "explicit" (which they are, in comparison, but nonetheless that choice of the word "explicit" is designed to make people think it's somehow age-inappropriate, triple XXX rated, and hence "bad.")

Abstinence until marriage versus explicit sex instruction... hmmmm.... which do think most people would endorse? They're playing with words, to soften their radical position and make it more appealing.

[JB]

Hi All, and Jill-
Thanks for the response. I looked over the Eagle Forum website and could find nothing that actually gave the definitions for either term. Judgeing (sp?) from the rest of the content on the site, I would guess your probably more correct than not. Regardless (you new this was coming), what you have said validates my position that we need to go to the candidates' actual words and actions for clarification. I now also point out what Mrs. Palin has claimed about her stance (sp?) on sex education in the public schools. "She is pro-contraception and said she's a member of a pro-woman but anti-abortion group called Feminists for Life." Again-this is pointing out that she is not against contraception. Though I know nothing about the "Feminists for Life" I will still wait until a debate when the moderator could just ask the question point blank: "Are you for or against sex education being taught in the public schools?" If it's "yes", then what type of education? If it's "no", then we have our answer. My opinion still stands: parents should teach their own children about sex education. This would completely end the debate. No one has yet the adequately prove to me that it is better than not to teach sex education. I have heard most of the arguments for teaching it, but I don't feel they "hold water". I would appreciate it if someone here would try to make the case "for". Anyway, thank you for your participation Jill. Take care.

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