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The program emphasizes over and over again that abstinence is the only effective method of birth control. Students are taught to say no, they are taught the ramifications and consequences of pregnancy and they are taught that it is possible to change their sexual habits. Chastity is the key word.
Not until the ninth grade does the FLE introduce students to pregnancy prevention methods. Students have some access to information through their health books in the eighth grade, however, it is not addressed in the 10th grade, the 11th or the 12th, unless it concerns disease prevention.
. Unfortunately disease prevention frequently falls on deaf ears of most teenagers who tend to see themselves as immortal and beyond such danger. “That could never happen to me,” they say.
The program appears to be based on the premise that, if taught properly, students mil refrain from sex. In an ideal world the premise is totally and 100 percent correct, however, as Mrs. Brown’s numbers and survey reveal, it is simply not the case.
In addition to abstinence, viable methods of birth control must be taught in order to address a problem that is rapidly spinning out of control. The program emphasis in the latter years of high school appears to be on having a baby, child development and how to manage a family. The consequences of the problem are addressed while the problem itself is ignored.
Mrs. Brown’s suggestion that the public health nurse have access to the girls in the early grades is an excellent one. She also suggested finding or doctor or intern to have similar meetings with the boys. We agree with her in her conclusion that the Family Life curriculum sounds good in writing, but for all practical purposes, is not meeting the needs of the students in some vital areas.
While we all know that teenage promiscuity can have a devastating effect on the lives of our youth, we must not be blind to the influences of our society, many of which we cannot change. We must face this and give our young adults the tools to protect themselves. Education is the answer.
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