Pittsburgh Parents Petition for Sex Ed

Two Pittsburgh Pennsylvania mothers have begun an online petition called Pittsburgh Public School Silencing Sexual Education to change sexual education programs in their city.

The petition is designed to force public schools in Pittsburgh into rebuilding the cities sexual education programs. The two 'sex-ed' petition creators feel that the current sexual education classes do not allow children and teens to make responsible and healthy decisions.

The book currently being used in many Pittsburgh sexual education classes is called 'Totally Awesome Health'. What is in the book does not cause as much objection, as does what is not in the book. The petitioners claim that only heterosexual couples are studied and only married families are discussed. This practice thereby challenges children who do not meet the programs standard of normal.

Abstinence is the center theme and most often the only theme in the Pittsburgh sexual education curriculum. The parents behind the petition say abstinence is accepted, but simply is not enough. Along with abstinence, they are calling for a wider spectrum, including discussions and education on contraceptives and sexual practices.

Parts of the sexual education petition states, "Our teens need sex education that helps them to delay sex, protect their health, and prepare them to make healthy and responsible life decisions.

"We further urge the Pittsburgh Public School Board to implement sex education curricula that stresses the importance of waiting to have sex while providing medically accurate, age-appropriate, information about how to use contraceptives effectively to prevent unintended pregnancy and STDs."

The debate involving sexual education in the public schools has been going on almost as long as sex itself. On one side are those who believe in no sexual education in the classroom or abstinence only education. Those on the side of abstinence feel a program designed in this manner will discourage any sexual activity. They also feel it teaches teens to wait and make more mature decisions. On the other side of the 'sex- ed' debate is those who feel the program should include education on contraceptives, sexual transmitted diseases, and open and frank discussions. They feel this approach addresses the fact that children or teens will be having sex regardless. With that understood, the best way to divert unwanted pregnancy, sexual diseases, or emotional health issues, is to teach them safe and healthy practices.

A recently published report has shown that one in every four teen girls has had a sexually transmitted disease. Of those reported, 15% had more than one STD. The release of the report only validated the city of Pitts burghs own Department of Health studies. The cities studies have shown an alarming increase in STD's among teens. For some, studies like these are clear indicators that sexual education needs to improve. However, for those on the side of abstinence, the studies only fuel their initial program desires; teach children to abstain from sex.

The federal government allocates abstinence only education grants to the states who agree to comply with the teaching standard. Despite a more conservative style of programs, Pennsylvania has continually declined the grant. Some schools in outlying areas. and in many other cities. do teach beyond the abstinence spectrum. What will happen in Pittsburgh public schools is to be seen, however if current media attention is any indicator, the city has a lot of debate to answer.