EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally appeared in our sister publication, Charleston Currents. While it highlights a sex ed curriculum being considered in Charleston County, the article contains a lot of information that debunks myths and misinformation that has been spread about the issue. We hope it is helpful.
By April L. Borkman | Almost 20 percent of South Carolina middle school students have had sexual intercourse, according to the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey This number only continues to increase as students enter and attend high school with 57 percent of high school students reporting being sexually experienced. While we have made abundant strides in reducing teen pregnancy rates in South Carolina over the past 20 years, South Carolina still ranks 11th for teen pregnancy nationally.
On Aug. 4, members of the Charleston County School Board’s Secondary Education Committee (SEC) will vote on a new sex education curriculum, which is called “Making Proud Choices” (MPC). It is an evidence-based, proven, effective and comprehensive sex education curriculum. The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Adolescent Health has placed it on their list of recommended teen pregnancy prevention programs. If approved, MPC will provide the only comprehensive sex education choice for middle schools in the county.
MPC stresses that abstinence is the safest and best way to prevent HIV, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancy. But it also acknowledges that if a person is sexually active, condoms are important. The committee will be voting to allow this program as an option for students in grades 8 to 12 in Charleston County public schools effective for the 2015-2016 academic school year.
Unfortunately, a small, fear-mongering, vocal group of abstinence-only-until-marriage supporters and members of other extreme conservative groups have bombarded school board members with a plethora of inaccuracies to try to block this program from being allowed in Charleston County schools. For example, West Of contributor John Steinberger this month wrongly made several erroneous claims, including that:
- Planned Parenthood backs MPC;
- The curriculum depicts “graphic sex acts;”
- It “is not medically accurate” because it teaches that condoms protect against STDs, HIV and unwanted pregnancy;
- MPC “sanitizes abortion as ‘a safe and legal way to end pregnancy; ’”
- That parents have no say in what kids are taught at their particular schools.
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
Even a cursory review of the curriculum reveals that none of this is true. In no way does the program depict graphic sexual acts, nor does it mention abortion on any of its pages or accompanying materials and videos. Planned Parenthood in not listed in any of the materials nor is the group mentioned as having provided any intellectual or financial contributions leading to the development of the curriculum.
Furthermore, opponents of MPC are wrong to suggest the curriculum is inaccurate regarding the teaching of condom use. An abundance of doctors and medical professionals would line up around the corner to say condom use stems STDs and prevents pregnancies. In fact during the last SEC meeting, many did. Condoms have been used as a method of contraception and disease prevention for centuries, and according to a famous 1987 statement by U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, condoms reduced transmission of HIV significantly. A1992 analysis found condoms reduced HIV transmission by 69 percent (Weller, 1993). Additionally when used correctly, (something that MPC stresses) condoms are 98 percent effective at preventing unwanted pregnancies (Advocates For Youth, 2005).
Additionally, parents do indeed have a say in what is taught to their kids. Per the S.C. Comprehensive Sex Education Act, schools are required to send letters home prior to the start of any sex education program. As a result parents may make arrangements to view the curriculum material in advance and opt their kids out of the program if they choose. The MPC program would be no different.
At the request of the SEC, health education professionals have adapted the program materials. Professionals from South Carolina made changes carefully and judiciously to remove any reference that might be construed as promoting sexually activity among young people and replace it with alternate language or activities that promote the message of abstinence and the importance of condom use for those who become sexually active.
Finally, according to the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 83 percent of South Carolinians support evidence-based sex education. Parents should feel confident that the Making Proud Choices program will provide much-needed information to their kids so that they can make educated and informed decisions about their health and their future.
April L. Borkman is a professional health educator and program coordinator working for the EMPOWERR Program at the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center at the Medical University of South Carolina. She is an officer for the Charleston County Teen Pregnancy Prevention Council and has 10 years of experience working in HIV and teen pregnancy prevention.
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