Church offers abstinence-only training in schools
by shoyu.
Instead of educating students in public schools about gross stuff like condoms and IUDs, a public schools committee recommends church groups teach teens about the wonders of abstinence. No word on the committee's stance on clitoridectomies.
The groups the committee approved are First Defense and Apostolic Ministries of America. AMA might be considered ideologically extreme. First Defense was conceived by a Christian anti-abortion group. However, the First Defense founder claims the group has no religious affiliations.
First Defense teaches “integrated sexual health,” which means it provides information about STDs, pregnancy and the psychological and social effects of having sex before marriage.
"Abstinence is the only way not to get diseases, not to get pregnant and maybe not to get your heart broken beyond repair," First Defense founder and director Marianne Ball said.
Apostolic Ministries of America teaches students by use of the curriculum called “Choose the Best.” The program's main focus is abstinence until marriage. STD facts are taught along with contraception effectiveness rates. Again, the emphasis is on the superiority of abstinence. Like First Defense, “Choose the Best” instructs students on the psychological consequences of having premarital sex.
First Defense and Apostolic Ministries of America are combining biology with morality in their programs. The schools committee's recommendation raises concerns about separation of church and state. Another issue is whether it is right to teach with a one-sided approach and to withhold information from students.
The schools committee's recommendation will be reviewed by the county school board and the schools superintendent. The superintendent could reject both groups.
Additional links
Planned Parenthood
Chastity belts
First Defense
Choosing the Best
Apostolic Ministries of America
Clitoridectomy
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