Judge Rules That ‘Abstinence Only’ Is Not Sex Ed

Posted by | May 13, 2015 20:00 | Filed under: Good News Politics

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You can’t characterize teaching abstinence as the only alternative as a sex education class says a California judge in an “historic” ruling.

In his opinion, Fresno County Superior Court Judge Donald Black concludes that, given the high rates of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy in the U.S., medically accurate sexual health information is “an important public right.”

Black’s decision narrowly applies to about 40,000 students who attend the Clovis Unified School District. However, since his opinion represents the first-ever ruling on California’s decade-old sex education standards, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) — whose legal counsel represented the plaintiffs in the suit — believes it sets an important precedent for the rest of the state.

“This is the first time that abstinence-only-until-marriage curricula have been found to be medically inaccurate,” Phyllida Burlingame, the director of reproductive justice policy at the ACLU, told the San Francisco Chronicle. She added that the ruling should send a strong message to other schools that “young people need complete, accurate health information required by law.”

 

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By: Alan

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15 responses to Judge Rules That ‘Abstinence Only’ Is Not Sex Ed

  1. arc99 May 13th, 2015 at 20:11

    Thank goodness for this ruling.

    Otherwise, next thing you know, a teacher leading a student group on a long walk would qualify as driver’s ed.

  2. labman57 May 13th, 2015 at 20:53

    “Abstinence only” is to sex ed as “take the bus” is to driver’s ed.

  3. Obewon May 13th, 2015 at 21:09

    But virgin miracle birther Bristol Palin swears that abstinence-only-until-marriage works!

    • tracey marie May 13th, 2015 at 21:24

      born again virginity, the teabaggers swear by it.

      • rg9rts May 14th, 2015 at 04:44

        Teabags restore virginity?? Who knew…pique ta’

    • William May 14th, 2015 at 12:01

      Still the most effective method of birth control

  4. Budda May 13th, 2015 at 23:13

    common sense ruling…not to be confused with judicial activism.

  5. Dwendt44 May 14th, 2015 at 00:32

    Sex is a natural and normal bodily function.

    • bpollen May 14th, 2015 at 04:09

      So is flatulence, but all things considered, I’d rather have sex.

    • rg9rts May 14th, 2015 at 04:43

      Not to the gopee..its something to be denied everyone but themselves…which is why they can’t keep their collective noses out of peoples crotches

  6. illinoisboy1977 May 14th, 2015 at 11:29

    While I agree with the judge that “abstinance-only” is a dangerous curriculum, I agree with the GOP that it’s the best protection against STDs. It’s not a realistic expectation, but it IS the most effective defense.

    • arc99 May 14th, 2015 at 12:52

      I don’t think anyone is arguing against the obvious conclusion that not engaging in sexual activity is the only foolproof preventive measure against pregnancy and disease.

      But the key word as you note is “realistic”. Teenagers are going to experiment. It has been that way since the dawn of civilization. Better that experimentation happens when young people are fully informed as opposed to them thinking that pregnancy is not possible the first time, etc.

  7. William May 14th, 2015 at 11:58

    I like to call them “Irony babies”

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