Earlier this year, Wisconsin passed a new sex-ed law for its school districts. This law made several provisions, including giving any school district the choice of opting out of sexual education classes, provided that school district notified parents of its decision. Sadly, the new law also banned, in its entirety, abstinence-only education. This means teachers are not allowed to recommend or encourage w8ing for marriage before entering a sexual relationship. At least one prosecutor is fighting the new law.
Juneau County District Attorney Scott Southworth has gone on record and called the new law a “sick and shameful piece of legislation” and says that it encourages “illegal” sex among minors. Further, he also sent letters to at least five school districts that requested they refrain from any kind of classes that teach ways to properly use contraceptives and ways to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. He compared the new law to “teaching children about alcohol use and then instructing them on how to make mixed alcoholic drinks”.
Should a school district opt to offer sex-ed classes, a student and his family can decline to participate, but if they don’t, the law states the students must be taught the various birth control measures and how to prevent STDs. Southworth insists these classes will lead to sexual assaults on children. Supporters say these classes have been met with great feedback from parents, especially considering Juneau County has higher than average numbers of both STDs and teen pregnancies. While there may not be any hard numbers in terms of how many teens in the county choose to abstain from sex before they’re married, educators say they’re sure the numbers are relatively low and that proper education can at least protect them since they’re engaging in sex anyway. They say Southworth’s threats of having teachers prosecuted for contributing to the delinquency of a minor is far fetched, unrealistic and have no merit.
Southworth is also concerned that districts will eventually be made to teach other lifestyles, including homosexuality, transgender and transexuality. So adamant is he, he’s taken on Planned Parenthood too. Planned Parenthood is currently allowed to go into classrooms provided it is invited by a district. Southworth insists the group “markets sexually oriented products to our children”.
So how do you feel about the either/or mentality of Wisconsin’s law makers? The Quiet Witness, of course, advocates w8ing for marriage, but is it realistic to expect our children’s teachers to teach the many reasons abstinence is the better choice? Weigh in – drop us a line or leave a comment. We’d love to hear what our teens and parents have to say.
