Wisconsin lawmakers consider new sex education bill
Source: FOX6 WITI TV BY JUSTIN WILLIAMS MILWAUKEE - Wisconsin lawmakers consider a bill which would mandate sex education classes include information about birth control.
Milwaukee's Angela Bindas, a 33-year-old parent of five, says she didn't realize Wisconsin schools which offer sex ed to students don't have to include some topics. Bindas says, "It surprises me that they, if they can teach about sex ed, that they can't teach the full concept of sex ed, and that would include contraceptives, and safe sex, and birth control."
Bindas says she supports Wisconsin Assembly bill 458, which requires public schools teaching sexual education include information on contraceptives and other pregnancy prevention methods and sexually transmitted diseases.
Peggy Hamill, the State Director of Pro-Life Wisconsin, says, "We have to maintain high standards of purity, and chastity, for our young people to follow." Hamill also calls the measure counter-intuitive. Hamill points out that any minor who engages in sexual intercourse is committing a class C felony, commonly known as statutory rape.
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin released this statement in response to those who oppose AB 458 saying:
We are facing a public health crisis throughout the state, and we need a state wide response. Teen birth rates are increasing and STD rates are exploding among teens. We can't afford not to act now. To do nothing jeopardizes the health of our children and means more of the same.
Hamill says, "Teaching so called 'safe sex' to minors, always gives the green light to young children to get involved". She also believes teaching contraceptive use promotes promiscuity.
The vote on this bill probably will not take place until late Tuesday night.
Under the bill, parents are allowed to examine the instructional materials, and have the option of keeping their child out of the class.
The sex ed courses are for the students from Kindergarten through the 12th grade, but local districts would still determine the level of instruction provided to students based on age. Click here for full text |
