Wis. Governor Signs Abstinence Bill

[deadparrot]

MADISON, Wis. - Sex education teachers must present abstinence as the preferred behavior for unmarried people under a bill signed Tuesday by Gov. Jim Doyle.

The legislation means teachers must emphasize that refraining from sex before marriage is the most effective way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. A spokesman for the governor, a Democrat, said most Wisconsin school districts already take that approach.

"The governor thinks that abstinence should be an important part of the message that kids hear from adults as part of their classes," spokesman Dan Leistikow said.

Republican Sen. Mary Lazich, a bill's sponsor, said sex education teachers can still teach about birth control, but must emphasize that abstinence is the only 100 percent effective method to avoid health risks.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060524/ap_on_he_me/abstinence_education

[lindisfarne]

1. Lovely. This, in spite of the fact that "abstinence education" doesn't

work. Way to go, Wisconsin!

[cmkramer]

20. That's "abstinence only" not this program

Frankly, this is the approach our high school used. Not having sex at all was taught as the only way to prevent pregnancy and most STDs (this was pre-AIDS) but we were also given information on other birth control methods.

[lindisfarne]

38. From reading the article, it doesn't sound like districts are required

to teach anything other than abstinence. It doesn't forbid teaching more (and some districts (Madison, no doubt) probably do teach more), with the limitation that abstinence must be presented as 'preferred'.

From the article:
Republican Sen. Mary Lazich, a bill's sponsor, said sex education teachers can still teach about birth control, but must emphasize that abstinence is the only 100 percent effective method to avoid health risks.

Kelda Helen Roys, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, called the bill, which takes effect July 1, shortsighted.

"They ignored the overwhelming public testimony, support and expert information about the importance of comprehensive sex education that talks about abstinence as well as contraceptive use," she said. "Abstinence is an important part but it is not the only part.""

[kestrel91316]

51. You were taught that "not having sex at all was........the only way to

prevent pregnancy"???????????

That's a crime. Or should be.

It certainly is effective, but there are other methods nearly as effective. I personally used oral contraception for 30 years with nary a pregnancy. Works great if you actually USE it.

[renaissanceguy]

2. I'm 50/50 on it.

In my high school, they taught abstinence-plus, which made sense. It is true that abstinence is 100% safe. But at the same time, the abstinence-plus approach acknowledges that not everyone remains abstinent, so it goes further to explain contraception. As long as the kids get medically accurate information on contraceptives, I see no problem with this approach.

[pitohui]

5. abstinence is not even close to 100 percent safe

where do you get your figures?

abstinence is almost 100 percent guaranteed to fail! no red-blooded person is going to succeed at abstinence, even jesus had the magdalene and even st. augustine prayed for "chastity but not just yet"

abstinence don't happen, it ALWAYS fails unless there is some medical issue w. the young person that they lack normal desire

[Knight]

10. Abstinence

Just because many kids are unable to control their animal urges does not mean that none can. Physically and emotionally they are better off abstaining. Why should it not be honestly presented as the only 100% sure way to prevent STD's and pregnancy. Look at the successful youth groups nation wide which promote abstinence. Some individuals may fall short, but even if a small percentage abstain, it is a success. For those that choose to have sex, they will at least have the birth control education.

[TommyO]

11. Believe what you want, abstinence only doesn't work

Teens are less likely to use any birth control, including condoms, after going through abstinence only courses. The fact that 88% of abstinence only educated kids still have sex before marriage shows that the program is a near total failure.

[Knight]

12. Not Abstinence Only

Nobody here is promoting abstinence only.

[Scairp]

36. I think your right

I read an article not too many months ago about how these kids that take "the Promise" not to have sex before marriage, and even wear a ring, are coming up with greater instances of STDs than those who never took the "Promise", because when they inevitably have sex, they don't use protection. It's sad really that no one prepares them for breaking the "Promise". Abstinence doesn't work in adults, how can we expect it to work for hormonally-driven teenagers? These legislators are living in another world and they need to get with it.

[pinerow]

33. Animal Urges...sheesh...where did that come from...?

nt

[pitohui]

40. your math is just wrong

you keep repeating the lie -- not just the spin, but the LIE -- that abstinence is 100 percent failsafe

abstinence is not even close to 100 percent failsafe because sooner or later EVERYONE who does not have some kind of medical problem or extremely severe psychological problem has sex

something that almost NO ONE can perform successfully cannot be said to be 100 perfect failsafe

it can not even be said to be 10 percent failsafe

it don't work

it is very basic mathematics, i'm afraid

people who say that abstinence is 100 percent failsafe are not just exaggerating -- they are willfully lying and probably none of them -- NONE of them -- is a virgin which means at some point they too failed to remain chaste

[dysfunctional press]

21. "it ALWAYS fails unless there is some medical issue w. the young person"

...or they happen to be butt-ugly...that's what saved me from STD's in my teen years...and on into adulthood.

[American Tragedy]

30. It doesn't ALWAYS fail, I know that for a fact

and I'm sick of seeing people mistreated or called freaks just because they're not constantly having sex.

It's a legitimate choice. Every person is different, many will choose to be sexually active, others may not. I am not a virgin anymore (though not for lack of self-control - I've never felt unable to control myself, it is ALWAYS a conscious decision), but I have the utmost respect and tolerance for those who choose not to engage.

[Akoto]

32. Uhm, no disrespect intended, but ...

You don't know what you're talking about, at least in my case.

I'm a 21-year-old male. Have been and will continue to be abstinent until I feel that, 1) I have found the right person, and 2) That I am ready for that sort of relationship.

There's nothing wrong with the above, not that it's anyones' business anyhow. I am not dysfunctional or unhealthy. There are certainly other ways to satisfy needs beyond having sex with random people. :)

Just to be clear, while I don't want abstinence to be enforced above all else in sex ed classes, I don't see the harm in presenting it alongside other precautions as a viable option.

[American Tragedy]

34. Exactly.

I knew plenty of people who made that choice, particularly in adolescence. Others didn't. Everyone is different. To me, being liberal means accepting individual paths, ranging from promiscuity to celibacy, without pressure or judgment.

High school is an especially precarious environment, and a difficult age. When I was in school, just a few years ago, there were fuck scorecards in circulation. In that kind of climate, I could hardly malign somebody who chose not to play along.

[primavera]

37. The problem is attaching moral value to abstinence

If young people choose, for their own individual reasons, to not have sex, that's their choice and there's obviously nothing wrong with that choice, if that's the right choice for that individual. The problem with abstinence programs is that they tend to ascribe moralistic imperatives to abstinence, be they religious ones (the Lord will kill you if you have sex) or secular ones (you're not ready to have sex at your age). The moment you start attaching that moral imperative to abstinence, impressionable kids who listened to you will tend to consider anything other than abstinence to be a "sin" of sorts, not a thing a "virtuous, responsible person" would consider. Consequently, why would anyone need to have condoms? Simply owning them would be like admitting you were considering a sin, and a premeditated one at that, as demonstrated by your having purchased these sinful condoms even before you needed them.

I don't know how big a deal that is, but, according to studies on the subject, that's supposedly one of the factors which contributes to kids arriving at their first sexual experience unprepared and consequently at risk of pregnancy and STD transmission. I'm certainly no expert, but it makes intuitive sense to me. It also just seems unhealthy to present sex to impressionable young people as something ought to avoid. Regardless of whether you're arguing from a religious point of view or a secular one, the underlying message remains the same: sex is something to be ashamed of, and I just don't think that's healthy.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[HuffleClaw]

3. a disgrace

and WHO will the blame when the teen pregnancy rate skyrockets?

[Erika]

4. Excuse me, but why is this the governments business? n/t

[saigon68]

8. It isn't !! Doyle is on his way out this fall

He finally has some opposition, and is in for a tough fight. He feels he has to throw a few bones to the middle of the pack.

He has seen 2 of his major allies including the democratic majority leader of the senate go to prison for various felonies in office.

[CTyankee]

35. Actually, the government CAN do the right thing

with regard to sex ed. I have seen some commercials done by the government from Great Britain, France and Sweden. They were smart, sophisticated, tasteful and even funny. They got the message of safe sex out in a very non=condescending manner. And these are countries with a lot lower teen pregnancy and STD rate than ours!

[drfresh]

6. There's nothing wrong with encouraging abstinence

as part of a complete picture that also includes birth control etc. As in it's part of the message, but not THE message. I've had the chance to see and meet Jim several times, and he's got my support.

[Mythsaje]

7. And nobody, and we mean NOBODY

should teach them about the Jocelyn Elders option that might actually provide them a way to remain abstinent into adulthood.

[wakeme2008]

9. I have no problem with this in fact it sounds good

Balance on both sides....

:)

[primavera]

13. Et tu, Wisconsin?

Is Wisconsin really wanting a whole lot of accidental teenage pregnancies? Why? Since dramatic spikes in unintended teen pregancnies is all abstinence programs have ever achieved, I have to assume Wisconsin must want all of these extra babies for some reason.

[MountainLaurel]

14. Got to fight the rising tide

Of little immigrant babies taking over the U.S.

:eyes:

[primavera]

18. Oh right, I forgot about that

We don't have enough people yet on the earth to totally decimate the planet as thoroughly as necessary, so we gotta keep pumping out babies as fast as we can. Where was my thinking?

[MountainLaurel]

19. No, we don't have the right kinds of babies

Haven't you heard some of the rhetoric (including from some fairly notable government people) that white folk need to get breeding to fight the tan scourge from south of the border? And regarding teen pregnancy, someone's got to keep the flow of white infants going for the adoption industry.

[leesa]

15. It'll give the kids a good laugh.

[primavera]

28. Right up until they start getting pregnant

Studies consistently show that abstinence programs have no impact upon the raging hormones of teenagers, so teenagers continue to have sex regardless; they're just less prepared to deal with that eventuality because they were taught to just cross their legs rather than be prepared. So abstinence programs actually promote tenn pregnancy. Of course, those are just the results that science reports, and in this country we all know how bogus science is. :eyes:

[closeupready]

16. And how is the teacher to respond when asked, "how come?"

That is, what if the teacher believes that abstinence is NOT the best way of avoiding STD's/pregnancy, and while discussing the lesson, a student contests the lesson? Should the teacher lie?

[noonwitch]

26. This is what I tell the teens I work with about sex and abstinence

For boys and girls:

I tell them that there is contraception, that condoms will reduce the risk of spreading disease drastically, but the only way that will prevent both %100 of the time is abstinence.

For girls:

Lets say you have sex with your boyfriend in an ideal world in which you can't get pregnant nor catch a venereal disease. You are 14 (or whatever age). You are too young to be having sex, because you are not emotionally mature enough to handle it. You only get to be young and innocent once in your life, you should hold onto it as long as you can.
When you are 14 and dating a boy, the relationship should be based on going to school dances, going with other couples to the movies, or roller skating, or hanging out at the mall. You should be holding hands, and kissing, and that's it. The minute you start having sex with your boyfriend, your entire relationship becomes about sneaking around behind your parents' backs to have sex. That is not what a loving relationship is all about.
Are you going to grow up and marry this guy? Or, like most high school romances, will you likely break up after a few months or so? When you break up, he will tell all his friends that you put out for him, and they will all ask you out. Not because you're pretty or smart or have a sparkling personality, but because you put out. Is that who you want to be?

For boys:

Just because you're under 18, don't think they can't make you pay child support. You have to pay it before you pay your college tuition, too.
Treat your girlfriends with respect. If you are 17 or 18, don't even date a girl who is under 16. You can avoid a lot of problems that way. Don't play the game with the good girl who you take to church and prom, and have the bad girl on the side to sleep with. You are exploiting both.
A sexually active 14 year old girl is probably messed up. Stay friends with her, but don't get involved beyond that.
An adult woman who wants to have sex with you is also trouble. If she's a friend of your mother's, just stay away from her, no matter how hot she is.

For gay kids:

I love you that you told me this. I don't really know how to counsel you, so call the guys at this outreach center, because they've been where you have and I haven't.

[truthisfreedom]

17. and they should also be required to teach children about the HPV vaccine

save lives.

[dysfunctional press]

22. teaching abstinence shouldn't take much time...

as in:

"Obviously, abstinence is the only 100% effective method of preventing pregnancy and std's...period."

"now...let's get into some real-world situations where abstinence is no longer an option..."

I see nothing wrong with teaching kids that abstinence is the most effective means of avoiding disease/pregnancy- but it definitely CANNOT be the only thing taught, and definitely shouldn't dominate class time- the concept is pretty clear, and shouldn't have a lot of time wasted on it.

[nmliberal]

23. Here in Alamogordo, NM abtinence ONLY is taught

This is a conservative, somewhat right-wing county and even in high school, only abtincence is taught; no birth control at all, no education providing accurate reproductive info is provided. A New Mexico state legislator tried to pass a Comprehensive Education bill, but our county spread around one tiny part of one possible comprehensive ed curriculum that provided info on possible lubricants, like the use of grape jelly. My God, you'd have thought the Comp Ed people were advocating mad orgies.
I like Wisconsin's approach.

[cease_fire]

24. George Bush Signs No Hurricane Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The President of the United States signed into law a bill citing the end of hurricanes as the PREFERRED behavior for inclement weather.

The legislation means that the Executive Branch of the United States Government MUCH prefers that Hurricanes do not slam into major metropolitan cities, citing that NO Hurricanes are the only proven way to prevent massive destruction and loss of life through negligent federal behavior.

"The president thinks that NO Inclement Weather" should be an important part of the message that mother nature hears from the ADMINISTRATION (currently operating under the Emperor Act of 2001).

Republican Sen. Rick Santorum, a bill's sponsor, said that we can still have rain, a little wind, and even a flurry or two, but remained steadfast on the bills "No Category 1 or Over" position.

http://www.areyoufuckingkiddingme.com

[Cha]

25. I know of two people who

should have practiced Abstinence forever.

[IA_Seth]

27. This is a good thing.

It isn't saying that they should remove education on contraception and safe-sex, it is saying that abstinence should be taught as the primary method of avoiding pregnancy and STDs. Since, as we all know, abstinence isn't PRACTICED by most teenagers, they do teach other forms of avoiding pregnancy and STDs, by using contraception, etc.

When teachers educate our children on anything, shouldn't they teach them the most reliable method of doing anything as a primary method, and then if that method is unable to be used, teach them contingent methods? After all, abstinence, IF IT IS USED, is the most reliable form of protection.

I don't see the issue here. Perhaps if they were saying this is ALL they would teach I would be outraged, but this to me is only common sense being used as a political ploy and a lot of you are buying into it.

[trudyco]

39. I agree - sounds reasonable and logical.

Only caveat is that theteens should be told that abstinence, for STD spreading purposes, includes abstaining from anal and oral. I heard today that many teens in abstinence only programs were doing this and actually had higher incidents of STDs.

[TrogL]

29. That's easy enough to implement

Here's what I'd say.

"Obviously, not having sex at all will prevent pregnancy and the transmission of sexual diseases.

Be that as it may...." followed by a long, detailed explanation of the various methods of birth control, their effacy, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.

[Justitia]

31. Since when is "PREFERRED BEHAVIOR" mandated by statutory law????

What other kinds of sexual behavior will be branded as "preferred behavior" and written into law?

[Buxtehude]

42. It didn't work in the sixties

what makes them think it will work now?

[fshrink]

44. Actually, it never worked. Anywhere. Anytime. Never.

And that includes the Vatican.

[Buxtehude]

45. Viva La Difference n/t

[fshrink]

43. "Avoid health risk"!

If these fanatics' derailed thinking was miraculously translated into actual abstinence health risk would go through the roof.

[Buxtehude]

46. Watch History Channel

History of Sex. People had some really wierd ideas back in Great-Grandmas Day.:)

[genieroze]

47. Abstinence IS the only 100% effective was from getting pregnant

and getting STD's from sex. I don't have a problem with them saying that, just as long as they teach if you must have sex then use protection.

[Buxtehude]

48. That would be my primary concern

they will have sex, thats a given. Just do it smart.

[fshrink]

52. It's also a 100% effective way to becoming crazy.

[annabanana]

49. sounds like "prohibition" to me

(tried it once, didn't work)