Ignoring Sex Education

Thanks to a petition of over 40,000 signatures, endless emails, persistent phone calls, the Utah PTA, Utah Education Association, Alliance for a Better Utah, and a rally held at the state capitol, Governor Gary Herbert vetoed House Bill 363 on Friday, March 16, 2012. (1)

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!

1.       www.signon.com

2.       http://le.utah.gov/~2012/bills/hbillamd/hb0363.htm

3.       www.sltrib.com