Most Ypsilanti parents want comprehensive sex education

The Ann Arbor News

Monday October 20, 2008, 10:21 AM

By Nicole Adelman

In her Oct. 2 "Other Voices" piece, Judy Bloss wrote that Ypsilanti Public School parents don't care what their kids are taught about "one of the most important issues that will affect the next 60 or 70 years of their lives." 

In fact, a recent survey of Ypsilanti parents says they do.
They were surveyed and an overwhelming majority - 92 percent - supports a comprehensive sexuality education curriculum. Parents want their teens to have all the education they need. That includes abstinence education and the benefits of waiting, as well as medically accurate information about preventing unintended pregnancy and STDs.

The Reproductive Health Education Advisory Board for Ypsilanti schools spent a year researching available curricula with the help of local parents, school staff, and community health professionals, including Planned Parenthood consultants, clergy from neighboring churches and a state-appointed consultant.

"We chose curriculum based on the specific needs of our school district and with a strong component for parent involvement," said Mary Delcamp, YRHEAB parent co-chair. "While we teach students the safest choice is deciding not to have sex, we realize there is a significant population of students who are sexually active and it is our responsibility to teach risk reduction, too."

Recent data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show one in four teen girls in the U.S. has a sexually transmitted disease. Ypsilanti has a disproportionately high rate of STDs among teens in this county, and it is reckless to suggest that an abstinence-only curriculum is effective. Also alarming is the fact that 57 percent of this county's new HIV cases among 15-29 year olds are in Ypsilanti. Last year, 16 of the 28 new HIV cases among teens and young adults were in Ypsilanti.

We know teens' lives depend on the medically accurate information they receive with comprehensive sex education - education approved by the school board and delivered with the assistance of expert Planned Parenthood educators.

I am still amazed by the suggestion that learning how to properly use a condom and learning how to say no in a "dangerously intimate situation" is a waste of time. Abstinence-only education has proven to be a $1.5 billion, taxpayer funded failure.

Ms. Bloss refers to "The Planned Parenthood view of life" without defining it, so here it is: The Education Department of Planned Parenthood Mid and South Michigan strives to provide accurate sexual health information in a safe, non-judgmental manner to help all people make informed life decisions. Planned Parenthood Mid and South Michigan hopes every child is born wanted and loved, that young people have the time and opportunity to fulfill their dreams and every individual is safe and healthy.

Who wouldn't welcome that view?