Let's Talk About SEX

After reading an article by New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof, I have come to the conclusion that most parents, especially (in my opinion) Christian parents, avoid having the "sex talk" with their kids in hopes that the school system will step up and teach their kids the values of abstinence. (Actually I remember my dad giving me the sex talk. thanks pops.) The Bush budget seems to be making that a reality, one in which most evangelical Christian parents will support. But there is a catch...

To summarize Kristof's article, he states that the Bush Administration budget is shelling out more cash, almost 3 times as much as 2001, for "abstinence only" sex education. Kristof supports abstinence and says the President means well, but in the end this move by Bush becomes a tad naive. The problem becomes when the education is all about abstinence only and a refusal to teach about contraception. These programs are typically barred by law from mentioning condoms or other forms of contraception - except how they can fail. Studies have shown that silence about sex actually leads to more sex, even unprotected sex. Moreover, unprotected sex leads to more unplanned pregnancies, more abortions and more kids with AIDS. So why give more tax dollars to this when the nation is cutting school as well as health programs?

Let's be realistic people and responsible adults. I'm all for the abstinence idea, as long as it doesn't neglect the teachings of contraception. I hope to teach my kids the treasure of sex as well as abstinence, but I know that most American kid's view of sex is as low as holding someone's hand. "What's the big deal," they say. If the school system is going to be silent, then parents must give the realistic dimensions of intercourse, including both abstinence and contraceptives. Besides, shouldn't the parents be the ones who initiate the conversation in the first place, instead of a secondary source? Let's think and act redemptively about sex, especially in teaching our children.