Doyle Signs Bill Requiring Sex Ed Classes to Promote Abstinence
Associated Press
Ryan J. Foley
(05.23.06)
On Tuesday, Gov. Jim Doyle (D) signed into law a bill requiring sex
education instructors to tell students that abstinence is the most
effective way to prevent STDs and pregnancy. However, it will also allow
discussion of contraception.
Most Wisconsin schools already take this approach, said Dan Leistikow,
Doyle's spokesperson. "The governor thinks that abstinence
should be an important part of the message that kids hear from adults as part of
their classes," Leistikow said. "Everyone can agree on
that."
Democrats, who are a minority party in both legislative chambers, tried
unsuccessfully to amend the bill in the Assembly to require
teachers to show how condoms and other contraceptives can also reduce sexual
risks. The measure passed the Assembly unchanged. The Senate
approved it last fall by a 24-9 vote. The law goes into effect July 1.
"They ignored the overwhelming public testimony, support, and expert
information about the importance of comprehensive sex education
that talks about abstinence as well as contraceptive use," said Kelda Helen Roys,
executive director of the abortion lobby NARAL Pro-Choice
Wisconsin.
Students can still learn about birth control, said Sen. Mary Lazich
(R-Berlin), a bill sponsor. But previously, students had not
been hearing that abstinence is the only 100 percent effective method to avoid
health risks, she said. "Rather than teaching that condoms
and birth control pills are acceptable modes of behavior, students will be
taught they're not safe, acceptable or healthy and what is
acceptable is abstinence."
From 1993 to 2004, births among Wisconsin teens ages 15-19 decreased 27
percent, from 41 to 30 births per 1,000 females,
according to a state-federal survey. Concurrently, however, cases of the four
most-reported STDs increased among state teens.
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