Sunday, April 11, 2010
Wisconsin DA Threatens Criminal Charges Against Teachers Explaining Contraceptive Use in Sex Ed
Legislators in Wisconsin just approved a law that would require that both the benefits of abstinence and the proper use of contraceptives be taught in public schools. A District Attorney, Scott Southworth, also a Republican and Christian evangelical, wants that law appealed. And before it becomes implemented, he wants to press charges against teachers explaining how to use contraceptives because it contributes to "the delinquency of a minor," a crime punishable by up to nine months behind bars and a $10,000 fine.
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Unfortunately, I can't go to the CLR meeting (as usual), this time because I'm coughing up a lung and literally can't speak. But the Roundtable might find the conclusion of a writeup I did on this subject helpful:
Abstinence pledgers:
Are significantly less likely to make informed choices about precautions when they do have sex [3].
Are less likely to know their STD status [4].
Are less likely to be tested for STDs [4].
Have no significant differences in STD infection rates as compared to nonpledgers [5].
Abstinence pledgers marry earlier [4], which leads to further problems such as higher divorce rates [6].
Abstinence-only programs:
Promote ignorance of the risk of STD transmission through non-coital sexual activity [7].
Fail to meet the needs of those who have premarital sex by not teaching prevention [8].
Discriminate against sexually minority youth by ignoring their sexual health needs altogether. [9]
Espouse negative and fear-based messages about human sexuality [10]
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Guidelines for Effective School Health Education to Prevent the Spread of AIDS, 37 [S-2] MORBIDITY &: MORTALITY WKLY. REP., Jan. 29, 1988, at 1-14.
2. http://www.contraception.net/resource_centre/barrier.asp
3. Waxman Report, supra note 2, at ii.
4. Bruckner & Bearman, After the promise, supra note 8, at 276-277
5. ld. at 277.
6. CAROLYN E. COCCA, JAILBAIT: THE POLITICS OF STATUTORY RAPE LAWS IN THE UNITED STATES 134 [2004].
7. Nicoletti, supra note 137, at 58; Mosher et al., supra note 52, at 5-6.
8. Bearman & Bruckner, Promising the Future, supra note 19, at 902.
9. See James McGrath, Abstinence-Only Adolescent Education: Ineffective, Unpopular, and Unconstitutional, 38 U.S.F.L. REV, 665, 681-84 [2004].
10. McGrath, supra note 122, at 682-84; Seller, supra note 85, at 35-36.
Another excellent summary: Beh, Hazel Glenn, and Milton Diamond. "The failure of abstinence-only education: minors have a right to honest talk about sex.(Sexuality and the Law)." Columbia Journal of Gender and Law 15.1 (Wntr 2006): 12(51). LegalTrac. Thomson Gale. 20 March 2006
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