how to Promote abstinence in public schools

Behind parents’ backs, public schools are propagating harmful, free-sex philosophies to children. Help counteract that trend by persuading your school board to adopt an abstinence-until-marriage curriculum.

Learn the law
At least 30 states have laws requiring taxpayer funded sex education to include an abstinence message. Federal title V grants–which fund hundreds of the nation’s sex education programs–also require recipients to emphasize abstinence. To find out if those guidelines apply to your district, call your state health department and ask to speak to the Title V coordinator (every state should have one except California).

Check for compliance
Once you know the law, hold your school district accountable:

• Recruit family friendly school board members or teachers. to help you obtain and review existing sex education curricula and see if it’s in compliance.
• Ask for supplemental materials, such as teacher guidebooks or videos that may reveal hidden agendas.
• Look for buzzwords that reveal what kind of approach the school uses. Examples (from an abstinence education Web site: waittraining.com):“A family consists of two or more people who care about each other.”
  “People can have children weather they are married or unmarried.”
  “Two people who cohabit can have the same commitment and responsibility toward one another as married people.”
  “Teenagers who decide to have sexual intercourse must also decide about pregnancy and STD/HIV prevention.”
  “Masturbation, either alone or with a partner, is one way a person can enjoy and express their sexuality without risking a pregnancy or STD/HIV.”
  “A legal abortion is very safe.”
  “People should try to understand and celebrate sexual diversity.”
• Ask tough questions:Do the lessons use the words mate or partner or does it say the word spouse?
  Does the curriculum refer to marriage at all?
  Does the curriculum use the word “protection” when referring to condom use?
  Does the curriculum report accurate failure rates for condoms against certain sexually transmitted infections?
  Does the curriculum treat abstinence and “protected sex” as equal in preventing pregnancy, disease or even overall well-being of the child?
  Does the program encourage heavy petting, mutual masturbation and “outercourse” as safe ways to give and receive pleasure?
  Does the program seek to promote parental involvement?
  Does this program mention the emotional consequences of sexual activity?
  Do any of the lessons seek to teach teens how to use condoms with demonstrations and instructions in a coed setting?
  Is the program and “opt in” or an :opt out” program?
  Does this program state that using contraceptives is “being responsible?”
  Does the program help to impart character building skills?
  Does this program stress the ways to start over if a student has become sexually active?
  Does the program protect the child’s natural modesty?

Create a committee
If the school’s curriculum fails inspection, form a coalition of local parents, business owners, educators, medical professionals, clergy, legislators, and even youth. The coalition should:

• Select at least three abstinence curricula to present to board members as “community-approved” options.
• Provide funding to preempt lack of money from being used as an excuse to block abstinence programs. Local businesses, for instance, can sponsor teacher trainings or purchase books for the school.