Government Abstinence Website Draws Ire (LATimes Article)

[Hissyspit]

Great post from DailyKos:
Here's the LATimes article: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/wire/sns-ap-government-sex-talk,1,3540535.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines&ctrack=1&cset=true

Abstinence advocates evoke anger
by Plutonium Page
Thu Mar 31st, 2005 at 20:47:21 PST

Ok, it's quiz time! Consider the following two statements:

Abstinence helps protect teens from contracting a sexually transmitted disease, becoming pregnant, and the emotional risk and responsibility involved with sex. Abstinence is the healthiest choice for teens because they are not ready for the adult emotions of sex and the adult choices that sex entails...
Abstinence for your teen means that he or she would avoid voluntary intimate sexual contact (oral, anal or vaginal). This is the best choice emotionally and physically for all teens. The values that come from abstinence, such as respect, responsibility, and self-control, will benefit their future relationships...

Tell them that abstinence is the healthiest choice... Waiting for sex shows self-respect. Let your teen know that even though they are capable of having sex, having sex will not make them an adult...making good choices will.

And:

A homosexual is a person who prefers sexual contact with people of the same sex... If you believe your adolescent may be gay, or is experiencing difficulties with gender identity or sexual orientation issues, consider seeing a family therapist who shares your values to clarify and work through these issues.

Now, here's the question: What is the source of those two statements?

a) A religious website

b) A government website

c) A book by Rick Santorum

Ok, guys. If you picked choice b, you're right. Yes, kids, your tax dollars are funding www.4Parents.gov and the LA Times will tell you all about it:

How should you talk to your children about sex? Tell them no sex, says a new government Web site that proclaims "abstinence is the healthiest choice." That's dictating values, say organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union and gay rights groups, and they want the site taken down.
Michael Leavitt, secretary of the Health and Human Services Department, says the Web site is right on target.

The site was designed for parents who are embarrassed about talking with their children about sex, Leavitt said in a statement.

"Parents have a tremendous amount of influence on their children and we want them to talk with their teens about abstinence so that they can stay safe and healthy," he said.

Promoting abstinence is fine, said Monica Rodriguez of the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, but the government should also address the needs of teenagers who are already sexually active, gay or lesbian, or who have been sexually abused.

For example, she said Thursday, the site should promote the proper use of contraceptives, and it should not imply that homosexuality is wrong by encouraging parents of gay or lesbian children to consult a therapist.

"By and large, it's a Web site that believes in abstinence until marriage," said Rodriguez, whose advocacy group promotes comprehensive sexual education. "Everything on the Web site is designed to promote that value and help parents communicate that value to their children."

Never mind the study http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002212720_std19.html that showed that teens who pledge abstinence are not only almost as likely to be infected with an STD, but they're also more likely to have anal or oral sex.

But the government says they won't, and as we all know, the government is always right.

[caligirl]

1. Remember Just say no?

[jmcon007]

2. just wondering....

I couldn't be more straight and I am a Christian, although the designation scares me that people will associate me with today's definition of the faith.
What about the pastors who have encouraged deceitful things (lying), or like Jerry Falwell who bears false witness (calling Clinton a murderer, etc), just wondering,,,,,where in the Bible does it say that one perceived "sin" is worse than another? Why are the conservatives so fixated on SEX?
They need to get a grip and take a close look at themselves.

[Hissyspit]

3. kick, for the morning crowd

[SemiCharmedQuark]

4. Well what the flying fuck is this?

"The only sure way to avoid STDs is to wait until marriage to have sex, choose a partner who has also waited or who is uninfected and share a faithful life together."

Marriage only, huh? I guess gays and lesbians are just shit out of luck, eh?