By Ron Lowe Santa Monica
Since when does intolerant religious dogma dictate the national policy on sexual education for our culturally active children? Since George Bush and Republicans forced an abstinence-only agenda on states in lieu of federal funding. The stated goal: Achieve chastity for our hormonally active children. I would have had to lock my six daughters in their rooms for the duration of their teenage years to achieve this goal.
The absurdity of the abstinence-based programs became apparent last year when Health and Human Services issued a memo stating that applicants (states) “must not” promote contraceptive and condom use to receive funding. So much for enlightened society.
How did religious ignorance creep into America’s sex-ed program?
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 12, 2007. Read the original PDF.