The governor then
tweeted his decision: “I just vetoed HB363. I cannot sign a bill that deprives
parents of their choice.”
In February, the
Utah State Legislature passed House Bill 363 (chief sponsor: Bill Wright) which
is an ill attempt for the state to wash its hands of properly teaching its
students sexual education. This bill would have allowed school boards to adopt
a sexual education curriculum that taught abstinence till marriage as “the only
sure method” for protection from STDs. Within the new curriculum, this bill
also made it illegal for educators to discuss “the intricacies of intercourse,
sexual stimulation, erotic behavior…homosexuality…contraceptive methods or
devices or…sexual activity outside of marriage.” Questions posed by students
regarding any of the subjects mentioned would have to go unanswered unless the
instructor could answer in a way that promoted abstinence. If parents sought
materials through the school to assist in the sexual education of their
children, the only recommendations that would be allowed to be given would be
abstinence only materials and the state’s Department of Health would be
required to assist the State Board of Education in these efforts. (2)
In a perfect
world, sex education should not even have to be included in our public school
educational system. This type of education is so personal and obviously ideas
on the correct way to teach it vary so widely that it should be done in the
home. Parents should be the ones to take responsibility for teaching their
children about intimacy and reproduction, and when this is done, teens can be
taught with the morals and values that the parents desire to be followed.
Unfortunately,
this is not the case. Far too many parents shy away from addressing any
difficult topics with their children and teens simply because it makes them
uncomfortable, while others decide that they will only answer the questions
their children have the courage to ask. These strategies are dangerous because
most teens will not be content to remain ignorant. And when topics regarding
sex are ignored by their parents, teens will turn to their friends and various
media outlets, including the internet to answer their questions.
Because of these
negligent parents, educators are saddled with the responsibility of teaching
children and teens about sexual education and it is left up to our lawmakers to
help regulate how it is taught. But Utah’s House Bill 363 is far from
acceptable. It completely misses the mark on how to teach young adults to be
responsible for their actions.
As parents watch their children learn and grow, they know
that sometimes all they can do is teach them to make the best choice available
but at some point, they must step back and let their children make decisions
for themselves. As much as parents wish they could, it is impossible to be with
their children all of the time, nor can they make their choices for them. All
they can do is provide the best tools available then take a cautious step back.
And so, when children and teens are taught in home and at
school about drugs and alcohol, we do not merely say not to do them. We warn
students that drugs and alcohol are unhealthy, illegal in some cases, and of the
damage they can possibly bring to the individual as well as those they are
associated with. We also teach children and teens how to best avoid them, suggest
who they might seek out for help if they become addicted to these substances,
and even beg them never to drive while under the influence.
This is called providing knowledge. It is not a mixed
message, but helps children and teens understand the possible consequences of
the various choices they are faced with. Likewise, in regards to sexual
education, we must address it the same way.
Teens must be taught that while intimacy is nothing to be
ashamed of, it is most appreciated in a relationship where both parties love,
respect, trust, and are genuinely committed to each other. But they may not
agree nor can we trust them not to give in to impulsiveness, peer pressure, and
the overwhelming media messages they receive to engage in sexual activity at a
young age. It is our responsibility to educate them with a wide variety of
options to protect themselves.
Not only is promoting abstinence as the only way to prevent
STDs and pregnancy an outright lie, but it could unintentionally increase the
spread of STDs, as well as unwanted pregnancies, due to lack of knowledge and
an understanding of "safe sex". One mistake or even several for that
matter in a person's teens does not mean that they deserve to carry the stigma
of an STD for the rest of their life, but more importantly, we must protect the
potential children that are product of these cases.
Every child deserves to be raised in a home with parents who
love and respect each other and have reached a level of adult maturity where
they are ready to lovingly welcome a child. It is unfair to invite a child into
this world when a couple is not mature enough or unwilling to be devoted parents.
We all know that teens who conceive a child together are very unlikely to marry
at all and if they do their chances of remaining married are very little. While
we should recognize that there are a few exceptions to this generalization, we
also must admit that children do not deserve this kind of instability. They are
completely innocent and yet they are the ones we place in danger when we decide
not to educate our teens completely about sex.
We can wish as much as we want that our teens would abstain
from any sexual activity until they are adults capable of dealing with the
possible consequences of their actions, but unfortunately, this is not reality.
The Utahans, including Governor Herbert, against House Bill 363 understand the
gravity within the possible consequences of this bill and realize that it was
nothing more than a self-righteous effort to regulate morality.
The Utah Eagle
Forum tried to spark conservative outrage in stating that Planned Parenthood
and various homosexual rights groups (organizations that the ultra-conservative
tend to hate, be afraid of, or blame for any lacking morality within the United
States) desired a veto, and that an excessive amount of media attention was
being paid to a “bogus” online petition (the same petition that held over
40,000 signatures). Fortunately their desperate cries were in vain as the
Governor vetoed it anyway. (3)
There have been
rumors circulating about the possibility of a veto-override where lawmakers
have the power to overturn the Governor’s decision, but a 2/3 majority is
needed from both the house and the senate in order for this to be successful. Based
on the way representatives initially voted on the bill, it appears that they
would be just shy of a successful override. You can find out how your local
representative voted by visiting, http://le.utah.gov/DynaBill/svotes.jsp?voteid=551&house=H&sessionid=2012GS
I sent a quick
email to the governor thanking him for vetoing the bill and listening to those
that had an opinion on the matter. If you would like to join in and thank the
governor for his choice to continue to educate our children properly, you can
reach him at, http://governor.utah.gov/goca/form_comment.html
And of course, if
you don’t approve of your representative’s decision, don’t be afraid to send
them an email as well! And then keep that in mind the next time they are up for
re-election. Remember: it’s up to you and only you to make your voice heard
when you vote!