PRESS RELEASE
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE, May 5, 2006
CONTACT:
Illinois Right to Life Committee
William Beckman, Executive Director, 312-422-9300
Sex Education Bait and Switch
The push by Planned Parenthood for
“comprehensive sex education” in Illinois has generated recent media coverage. Their web site to promote this push (www.responsiblesexed.org) states,
“Teaching a strong abstinence message in concert with information on contraception is
considered a ‘best practice’ in teen pregnancy prevention.”
Would
Planned Parenthood be willing to teach a “strong abstinence message”? It becomes clear there is no chance that Planned
Parenthood would teach any convincing abstinence message.
To do so would represent a serious conflict of interest for them. Any teenager who accepts abstinence will not
become a customer of Planned Parenthood. Such
a teenager would not need birth control supplies, pregnancy testing, STD testing and
treatment, emergency contraception, or abortion. These
are the services that Planned Parenthood sells. What
interest do they have in convincing teenagers about behavior that makes these services
totally unnecessary?
On the
contrary, Planned Parenthood’s form of “comprehensive sex education” is
structured to encourage teenagers to become sexually active. Then these teenagers will likely become Planned
Parenthood’s customers. Any mention of
abstinence is intended to immediately write that option off as totally unrealistic.
Is that
what parents want in “comprehensive sex education”? On the contrary, a poll conducted by Zogby
International in 2004 shows strong support by parents for conveying the abstinence message
to teens in an effective manner. This survey
found:
- 91 percent of
parents want schools to teach that "adolescents should be expected to abstain from
sexual activity during high school years."
- 79 percent of
parents want teens to be taught that they should not engage in sexual activity until they
are married or at least in an adult relationship leading to marriage.
- 93 percent believe
teaching about abstinence should have more emphasis than teaching about contraception.
- Only 7 percent of parents agree that teen
sexual activity is okay as long as contraception is used
It seems
that Planned Parenthood is using terms (e.g. comprehensive sex education) that mean
something totally different to them than these terms mean to parents. Therefore, Planned Parenthood’s claims that
parents support “comprehensive sex education” are quite misleading.
The true
intent of Planned Parenthood’s “comprehensive sex education” programs is
reflected in the following quotes (see more quotes below):
“Help
young people obtain sexual satisfaction before marriage”
“Teach
them to experience sexual pleasure rather than not to have sex”
“Sex
without victims is always right; the only question is what’s right for you?”
Planned
Parenthood’s “comprehensive sex education” is simply a sales pitch to
generate new customers. This approach is
certainly not what most parents want for their children.
This deception amounts to sex education bait and switch.
William Beckman
Executive Director
Illinois Right to Life Committee
65 E. Wacker Place, Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60601
312-422-9300
beckman@illinoisrighttolife.org
www.illinoisrighttolife.org
* * * * * * * *
Illinois Right to Life Committee,
founded in 1968, is the oldest Pro-Life educational organization in Illinois.
Another
perspective on the real objectives of Planned Parenthood's business model
Supporting material regarding Planned Parenthood's approach to sex
education
Below are some similar and/or identical quotes to the ones cited in
the above press release, including dates and sources:
“Sex with victims is always wrong. Sex without is always right.”
1977 Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountain brochure
“The only question is: What’s right for you?” 1993
Planned Parenthood Federation of America brochure
“If this is a girl you’ve just met and she agrees [to have sex],
you’re in the clear provided that she’s old enough to have some sense.”
1977 Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountain brochure
“Sex is fun, and joyful, and courting is fun, and joyful, and it comes in all
types of styles, all of which are OK. Do what gives pleasure and enjoy what gives
pleasure.” 1981 Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountain brochure
“The solution [to negative early sexual experience] … is to teach young
people how to experience sexual pleasure, instead of teaching them to not have sex.” Summer 1996 Planned Parenthood Federation of Canada newsletter
“[Adults should] help young people obtain sex satisfaction before marriage.
By sanctioning sex before marriage, we will prevent fear and guilt.” Dr. Lena Levine, Planned Parenthood Federation of America seminar, May 1953
“We’ve got to be more concerned about preventing teen pregnancies than we
are about stopping sexual relationships.” Faye Wattleton,
president, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, October 17, 1986
“It is irresponsible and flat-out immoral not to teach young people how to use
[condoms] …” Karen Pearl, interim president, Planned
Parenthood Federation of America, February 10, 2005
“Many people believe that sex relations are right only when they are married.
Others decide to have sex outside of marriage. This is a personal choice.”
“Sex Facts”, Planned Parenthood of Syracuse, 1977
The pattern established by Planned Parenthood over more than 50 years is obvious.
More details on Planned Parenthood are available at: Exposing Planned Parenthood
More Evidence that Planned
Parenthood
Does NOT Teach "A Strong Abstinence Message"
Material is readily available on the Planned Parenthood web site to demonstrate the
approach they take in teaching teenagers about sex. Below are five examples
obtained in May 2006:
1. Following material taken from http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/
medicalinfo/sexualhealth/pub-teen-sex-ready.xml on the Planned Parenthood web site
from the category "How Do You Know When Your Ready for Sex?":
Sexuality is a natural and normal part of life. And so is sex. Having sex play - from
masturbation to flirting, from kissing to petting, from oral sex to intercourse - is a big
decision. It involves many feelings and responsibilities.
Choosing to be in an ongoing sexual relationship is another big decision. There is a
lot to consider.
Figuring out when you're ready for sex continues through life. People need to make
decisions about sex in their teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond - every time a sexual
situation develops.
2. Following material taken from http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/
medicalinfo/birthcontrol/pub-contraception-abstinence.xml on the Planned Parenthood
web site from the category "Is Abstinence Right for You Now?":
Abstinence can only work when both partners agree to it. So it is also helpful to keep
talking to each other about why you've agreed to abstain from sex play. Your relationship
may change. And your decision to be abstinent may change, too.
3. Following material taken from http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/
medicalinfo/sexualhealth/pub-safe-sex.xml on the Planned Parenthood web site from the
category "Sex: Safer and Satisfying":
We are all sexual - from birth to death. When we decide to have sex, we want it to be
satisfying - whether we are women, men, intersex or transgender, married or single, young
or old, straight, lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Enjoying our sexuality is a normal, natural
part of life.
4. Following material taken from http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/
medicalinfo/sexualhealth/pub-safe-sex.xml on the Planned Parenthood web site from the
category "Sex: Safer and Satisfying":
Outercourse
Sex can be very satisfying without intercourse. Great sex is about a lot more than
penetration ... It's about exploring the many ways you can turn your partner on.
It's exploring the many ways that you can be turned on.
Don't be shy about your sexual pleasure. Partners who explore safer sex through
outercourse may discover new sexual excitements. They can be clear about how and where
they like to be caressed. They help each other enjoy sex even more.
5. Following material taken from http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/
medicalinfo/femalesexualhealth/pub-young-women-sexuality.xml on the Planned Parenthood
web site from the category "A Young Woman's Guide to Sexuality":
Some of the most difficult decisions in life are about sex. They can affect our plans
for school, career, our lifestyles, relationships, and families. Whatever sexual decisions
you make, choose ones that help you feel proud of yourself.
Sexual expression is one of our basic human needs like water, food, and shelter. It
can be a positive source of personal enrichment and satisfaction when it is based on
mature, informed, and responsible choices.
Of course we don't always have sex when we're feeling sexy. When to have sex is a personal
choice. We usually make better decisions when we think through the possible benefits and
risks. A good sex life is one that keeps in balance with everything else in your life -
your health, education and career goals, relationships with other people, and your
feelings about yourself.
Planned Parenthood's web site provides a link to SIECUS listed with their "Links
to other sexuality education organizations." Below is a brief description of
the SIECUS guidelines for comprehensive sex education:
Under a grant from the CDC, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the
United States (SIECUS) developed guidelines for comprehensive sex education, which
according to SIECUS, are "the most widely recognized and implemented framework for
comprehensive sexuality education across the country." These guidelines call for
teaching five- through eight-year-olds about masturbation and accepting cohabitation and
homosexuality. Upper elementary and junior high grades have classes on these subjects, as
well as lessons on sexual fantasies, contraception, and abortion. For high school
students, SIECUS recommends adding discussion on using erotic photographs and literature,
body massages, bathing/showering together, and oral, vaginal, and anal intercourse. Nearly
all of the fifty-page guidelines are devoted to these topics, while only one-half of a
page is dedicated to abstinence. [taken from Family Research Council
review of: Debra W. Haffner and William L. Yarber, "Guidelines for Comprehensive
Sexuality Education," Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United
States, Second Edition, 1996.]
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