The Healthy Youth Act (A.B. 458)
On February 24, 2010, former democratic governor, Jim Doyle, signed into law, “The Healthy Youth Act” in response to increased pregnancy and STD rates. The Healthy Youth Act, which took effect for the first time this year, requires that schools who choose to teach a traditional human growth and development course, or “sex education,” must be sure to include information about prevention. With the new legislation in effect, schools must include information about contraceptives, including how to use them, the risks, and benefits. This is not to say that abstinence-only isn’t stressed, as it is, but now with the additional information and knowledge, teenagers can be more prepared should they choose to be sexually active. In addition to learning about birth control methods and barriers, the Healthy Youth Act also ensures that students learn life skills. Such life skills include learning about what it takes to have a healthy relationship, communicating with adults as social support, and learning about both short- and long -term consequences that come with family planning and goal-setting.
By law, the information used in discussion must be both age-appropriate, medically accurate, and evidence based. Both educators and the community feel comfortable with publically funded comprehensive sex education. The intent of the legislation is to reduce unintended pregnancies and to also teach responsibility regarding sexual health.
(Sex Education and Merrill H.S. debate)
I can’t wait to see your response to this article. Perhaps the petition reaction is an emotional response that is premature. It seems that more facts about the proposed changes are needed before parents “panic”. Now is the time for deliberation and rational consideration. My only observation at this point is that I do not believe that merely presenting unbiased information about the subjects mentioned in the article will “lead to more teenagers having sex”. Bring on the discourse …