Despite mounting pressures from conservative groups last week, Gov. Deval Patrick has stood by his decision to reject hundreds of thousands of dollars in a federal grant to adopt statewide abstinence-only sex education in public schools.
In July, Patrick rejected a $700,000 federal grant proposal that would fund abstinence-only sex education in Massachusetts, prompting the National Abstinence Education Association to launch an ad campaign demanding Patrick revisit the proposal and accept the grant.
“Since the 1970s, American taxpayers have spent billions on contraceptive education,” said NAEA Executive Director Valerie Huber in a July press release. “In return, we have gotten increases in teen sex, teen pregnancy and millions of teens infected with STDs — some of which are incurable or even fatal.”
State officials, however, say the grant is too restrictive and offers an unrealistic view of sexual activity among students.
“There are too many restrictions attached to the funds,” said Jennifer Kritz, a spokesperson for the State Executive Office of Health and Human Services. “[Abstinence-only education] prevents kids from discussing issues. Kids deserve the full picture.”
Kritz said the federal grant presents an ideological controversy.
“We did not agree to the fund which we believe is unfounded in fact because it is too based on morals,” she said.
The Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts supports a comprehensive sex-ed curriculum and believes an abstinence-only education will not benefit students.
“Various studies show that abstinence-only education is ineffective,” said Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Lisa Dacey. “Research has shown that these programs are not effective in delaying sexual relations between young people.”
Dacey said the most effective sexual education programs discuss birth control methods and prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
“Programs that do not have medically accurate information are not successful,” she said. “Abstinence-only education programs are prohibitive in discussing protection methods.
“We do not have a problem with abstinence programs,” she continued. “But we do not support ones that only focus on abstinence.”
Some Boston University students said sex education should present various studies and teachings not just limited to abstinence, and that students in Massachusetts should know how to protect themselves if they decide to become sexually active.
“People should know their options and be aware of them,” said Nicole Gause, a College of Arts and Sciences freshman. “I think educators are starting to realize that they can’t just say, ‘Don’t have sex.'”
Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences freshman Mike Figuccio, who was taught abstinence-only sex-education in Catholic school, said the government should fund all types of education.
“Individuals should have information out there in order to make informed decisions,” he said.
Mor Levy, a CAS freshman, said abstinence-only education could actually have an adverse effect on students.
“I wouldn’t advocate [abstinence-only education] because it would only make people want to have sex,” Levy said. “That’s what happens when you tell kids not to do something — they go and do it.
“If the government gives grants for abstinence-only education, it should just as well give grants to fund how to practice safe sex,” she added. “In this day and age, it is better to know as much as possible about any important issue.”
