Sex Ed a Political Issue? You Bet!?

Do you want your children to learn about protection from AIDS, Teen Pregnancy, and other issues regarding unprotected sex? If so, what are your thoughts on the report below:

AP Sept 2, 3:10 P.M.

McCain's VP choice, Palin has stated in her own words she opposes funding sexual-education programs in Alaska.

"The explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support," she wrote in a 2006 questionnaire distributed among gubernatorial candidates.

McCain's position on contraceptives and teen pregnancy issues has been difficult to judge on the campaign trail, as he appears uncomfortable discussing such topics. Reporters asked the presumptive GOP presidential nominee in November 2007 whether he supported grants for sex education in the United States, whether such programs should include directions for using contraceptives and whether he supports President Bush's policy of promoting abstinence.
(Notice He Supports Bush And His Policies!)

"Ahhh, I think I support the president's policy," McCain said.

When a reporter asked McCain whether he thought contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV, he replied: "You've stumped me." McCain said later that he was sure he opposed government spending on contraceptives. Asked whether he would oppose condom distribution if he knew that condoms stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, McCain said he had never gotten into those issues before.

The McCain campaign on Monday did not respond to repeated requests for information.

In Senate votes, McCain has opposed some proposals to pay for teen-pregnancy prevention programs. In 2006, McCain joined fellow Republicans in voting against a Senate Democratic proposal to send $100 million to communities for teen-pregnancy prevention programs that would have included sex education about contraceptives.

In 2005, McCain opposed a Senate Democratic proposal that would have spent tens of millions of dollars to pay for pregnancy prevention programs other than abstinence-only education, including education on emergency contraception such as the morning-after pill. The bill also would have required insurance companies that cover Viagra to also pay for prescription contraception.

(SO IT'S OK FOR HIM TO GET IT UP - BUT NOT FOR THE LADIES TO BE PROTECTED FROM GETTING KNOCKED UP)

Your thoughts?

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/C...

I don't mind that at all Bill, but how about for others? And do you plan ot teach abstinance as well? If so - good luck with that. BTW - I am a registered Republican and father of two who thinks Sex Ed should be taught in schools as well as at home and that abstinance doesn't work with teenage hormones. But go right ahead and continue to call me a liberal.

How 'bout letting me decide the best way to teach my children about sex issues?

Or is that too libertarian for you?

EDIT: Actually, I have two daughters and am considering my options, as we speak.

I think abstinence programs give kids better advice and more information on the harmful effects of having sex when young, and the very high failure rates of condoms (even with proper use) in preventing pregnancy and the transmission of STDs.

Telling a kid that a condom will make them safe from pregnancy or STDs is a sick joke.

It is the failure to say "don't do it" and the failure to reinforce that, that leads to more teen pregnancies.

Should schools teach safe drinking? Safe smoking? Safe illegal drug use? Safe driving at 125 mph? After all, some kids will be doing those, too. Logically, those fall into the same thought process.

Honestly, I think programs should be telling kids stuff that is actually useful.

The sex-ed i was given was just ridiculous. Instead of requiring students to know all the names of certain parts of sexual anatomy, why not give kids useful information.

Why did no one tell me in highschool (or many years after) that using anti-biotics with birth control lowers its protection? Why do they not speak about condoms breaking and the morning after pill?

I do not really support giving sex-ed to younger children, but once they are in highschool i do think some form of it is necessary. However, make it informative, not a complete waste of time.