More abstinence BS misinformation.
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Government Abstinence Web Site Draws Ire
Fri Apr 1,10:33 AM ET
By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - An array of advocacy groups are calling on the federal
government to take down one of its new Web sites, saying it presents
biased and inaccurate advice to parents on how to talk to their children
about sex.
The site 4parents.gov stresses the promotion of abstinence.
Emphasizing abstinence is fine, said the groups, but the government also
should stress the need for contraception if sexual relations do occur.
"There's this misconception that giving young people negative
information about contraception will encourage them not to have sexual
intercourse, when all it will do is encourage them not to have
contraception, so the strategy backfires," Monica Rodriguez, an official
at the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States,
said Thursday.
The council, which also provides sex education materials, sent a letter
addressing its concerns to Michael Leavitt, secretary of the Health and
Human Services Department. More than 100 organizations, primarily
liberal advocacy groups, signed on, including the American Civil
Liberties Union, the Human Rights Campaign and Planned Parenthood.
Leavitt said in a statement unveiling the site last week that it was
designed for parents who are embarrassed about talking with their
children about sex.
"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.
HHS officials said Thursday evening they were not surprised certain
groups disliked the site.
"They've always opposed us on the issue of abstinence. That's fine," HHS
spokesman Bill Pierce said. "One thing we do know about abstinence is
that if you practice it, you will not have an unintended pregnancy or
risk catching a sexually transmitted disease."
The site advises parents to tell their teens why they should not have
sex: "Tell them abstinence is the healthiest choice. They will not have
to worry about getting pregnant or getting someone pregnant. They will
not have to worry about sexually transmitted diseases, including
HIV/AIDS. Nor will they have to worry that the person they are dating is
only interested in them because of sex. "
The Human Rights Campaign said it was particularly concerned about
sections of the Web site that focus on sexual orientation. The group
works for equal rights for gays, lesbians and bisexuals.
The site says: "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."
Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said in a
separate letter to Leavitt, that describing sexual orientation as an
"alternative lifestyle" is outdated and inaccurate language that can
alienate youth at a time when they are particularly vulnerable.
"By terming sexual orientation a 'lifestyle,' HHS is discussing it as a
matter of choice, which is contrary to the vast majority of scientific
evidence. Sexual orientation is not a lifestyle," Solmonese said.
The site describes condoms as imperfect, saying they can break or be
used incorrectly, and it includes a chart of whether a condom protects a
little, some, or a lot, against various sexually transmitted diseases.
Patrick Fagan, a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a
conservative think tank, said the Web site's information about condoms
looked accurate.
"This is standard, straightforward research on the effectiveness of
condoms," he said.
Fagan also said the Web site would be useful for parents of gays and
lesbians. He said they deserved to get the same information made
available to parents of heterosexual children.
"Teenagers involved in homosexual acts ... are worth the same
transmission of information on the effectiveness of condoms and on the
dangers of sexually transmitted diseases," he said.
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On the Net:
HHS' sex talk site: http://www.4parents.gov
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States:
http://www.siecus.org
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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=513&ncid=691&e=2&u=/ap/20
050401/ap_on_go_ot/government_sex_talk
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John Hachmann aa #1782
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities"
-Voltaire
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