Missoula Notebook

Did Bristol Palin Get Abstinence-Only Sex Education?

By Sutton R. Stokes, 9-02-08



	Caption: This is not a photo of Bristol Palin. (Photo by Flickr user Alana Elliot.)

First, let me make clear that I could care less about Bristol Palin’s pregnancy vis a vis the election. Good luck to her, and may she beat the odds where teen pregnancy is concerned.

However, there are some arguments going back and forth in various places on the ‘nets, including in the comments to Jonathan’s piece, concerning the case’s relevance to ongoing debates over so-called abstinence-only sex education, and I became curious as to just what Alaska’s policy is.

Abstinence-only sex education teaches that sex before marriage is inappropriate and/or unhealthy, as opposed to “comprehensive” sex education, which includes but does not necessarily emphasize contraceptive use.

Some people, including frequent New West commenter Marion, are under the mistaken impression that comprehensive sex education is available throughout the country, so I’d better start with some background. (I’m no expert on this, and I’ve cobbled this together in an hour of internet searches, so any corrections would be welcome in the comments.)

Beginning in 1995, Title V of the Social Security Act has provided funds for states willing to implement abstinence-only sex-education classes. Among other things, qualifying curricula are required to instruct students that there are “social, psychological, and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual activity,” that “sexual activity outside of the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects,” and that “abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems.” (Guess they’ve never heard of hand jobs.)

From 1996-2001, 49 states received funds under Title V, the holdout being California, which already had its own abstinence-only curriculum. In 2002, a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation (available as a PDF here ) found that about a third of secondary schools in the U.S. were then practicing abstinence-only sex education.

Starting in 2002, many states began dropping out of the program, citing research (abstract here ) showing that — compared to comprehensive sex education — abstinence-only programs do not delay first sexual experience in most students and have little to no long-term effects on sexual intentions and activity, other than a slightly increased tolerance for teen pregnancy. (But presumably only after a nice teen wedding, just like it used to work back in the good old 1950s!)

Furthermore, some critics accused the federally funded programs of spreading misinformation and lies, such as that “condoms fail in 31% of cases of heterosexual sex,” “touching someone’s genitals can make you pregnant,” “50% of all American teenage gay men are HIV positive,” and “HIV can pass through condoms because the latex used in condoms is porous” (which, come to think of it, is what the chaplain told us in boot camp).

Currently, only 28 states are receiving Title V funds, with two more (Iowa and Arizona) planning to drop out after this fiscal year. Says a spokesman for the governor of Ohio, which dropped out in 2007: “We’ve spent millions of dollars on such education since Ohio first started getting grant money in 1998. If the state is going to spend money on teaching and protecting kids, the governor believes it’s better to spend it in a smarter, more comprehensive approach.”

Given all of this, the irony would be hair-curling indeed if it turned out that Alaska practices abstinence-only sex education, but I can find no definite evidence that it does — although it’s going to, as discussed below.

Alaska does not currently receive federal Title V funds. As of 2002, the Kaiser Family Foundation publication that I mentioned earlier reported that Alaska was in a category of states requiring only that abstinence be “stressed,” but not necessarily to the exclusion of so-called “comprehensive” sex education. On the other hand, Alaska also did not require contraception information in sex ed classes at that time. (PDF here.)

Of course, just because Alaska is not receiving federal Title V funding does not mean the state is not practicing abstinence-only sex education, but I can’t prove it one way or the other on line. Alaska curriculum standards (available as a PDF here) contain nothing more specific than the requirement that students “understand the physical and behavioral characteristics of human sexual development and maturity” and “understand the ongoing life changes throughout the life span and healthful responses to these changes.” (As a side note that everyone should keep in mind when we talk about curriculum standards, it is often a stretch to assume that there is any connection between what the bureaucrats dream up and what teachers actually do behind their closed classroom doors, although one might reasonably assume that, the more potentially controversial a subject, the more likely most teachers would be to follow district policy.)

However, Governor Palin — apparently undaunted by mere research (just the kind of new leadership we need!) recently announced that Alaska would be applying for federal abstinence-only sex-education funds for next fiscal year, saying “the explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support.” That quote is from a survey given in 2006; I can find no word on whether recent events have changed her mind or strengthened her resolve.

For more like this, read the rest of the Missoula Notebook.

[End of article]

Comment By Ann, 9-02-08

All I can say about Bristol is I too wore those shoes, and it wasn't because of lack of parental teachings. It was lack of MY listening and heeding those teachings. You CAN pick your friends but you can NOT pick your relatives.

Comment By RH, 9-02-08

According to some of my Alaska friends who had to listen to all the political ads, part of Gov. Palin's campaign platform was to teach abstinence only in Alaska schools. Because parents can opt their child out of any sex education classes in Alaska, with Gov. Palin's views and her being involved with the PTA in Wasilla, one would probably be safe in assuming she might have opted her children out if they had any significant sex ed in place. Either way, that is what she wants for every one else’s children, whether she did the same for her children or not. I just know it doesn't work. I had a child at 18- I know what it is like to be a teen parent. I would not wish it on anyone, especially the children, because they are short-shifted in the process. I did the best I could, but my best was not as good as it should have been, or as good as it was when I had my second 6 years later. What angers me are those who want to force their belief system on all of us by implementing policies like abstinence only. The teen pregnancy rate is on the rise again after these last eight years of denial of a proper education

Comment By Ann, 9-02-08

All the abstinence teaching in the world won't work if nobody listens. And because of some that don't listen we shouldn't teach Abstinence? Oh yea that's right They can have an abortion.

Comment By debra, 9-02-08

As a health teacher, I can tell you that comprehensive programs DO emphasize abstinence. It is, after all, the safest method. In order to understand that, students need the facts; knowledge is power, and the more knowledge the students possess, the less likely they are to engage in risky behaviors.

Comment By Mark in AK, 9-02-08

Well, let your hair down and straighten it out. My stepdaughter attended Wasilla HS, and I can tell you they teach full-on "human sexuality" in health classes. They send home a form before units on the subject so parents can opt their kids out if they want to. They do it starting in 6th grade. Here is the Alaska law on the topic (sparse compared to most states, I am sure)

Separate arrangements may be made for students according to sex during human sexuality programs and physical education activities involving bodily contact. (AS 14.18.050)

Comment By Marion, 9-03-08

I am amazed to see all of the clucking going on over the daughter of a conservative having premarital sex. Does anyone really think bad choices by teens is based on the politics of their parents?????????????????????

Comment By Minerva, 9-03-08

Alaska has comprehensive sex-ed. The school she AND HER BOYFRIEND attended just didn't hand out condoms, per Boston Globe.

Since it's obvious they weren't using abstinance, I guess this shows that comprehensive sex-ed doesn't work.

Comment By Marion, 9-03-08

Thank you Minerva, you said it very well!