Let’s not talk about sex
Some Scappoose parents object to new sex education textbooks for sixth-grade students
On Monday, Nov. 17, the Scappoose school board met in a work session to discuss the supplemental sexuality education curriculum.
“This is not my agenda,” said Superintendent Paul Peterson. “There is a law that we must provide this training and it is my job to make sure the district follows that law.”
Scappoose Middle School is required by Oregon law to have a comprehensive sexuality education curriculum. The current health education textbooks do not meet the requirement.
Sixth-grade teachers have selected “Making a Difference!” from the list of textbooks that meet the state requirements. The current health education textbook, “STARS” does not meet the state requirements of a complete and comprehensive sexuality education text.
The board met in its regularly scheduled public meeting following the work session. The adoption of new comprehensive sexuality education textbooks was also on this agenda.
Five parents signed up to make comments at the board meeting. All five cited the sexuality curriculum as the topic for comment.
Shannon Flanagan was the first parent to speak. He said he had read the entire textbook and was willing to share his information with others.
“Not one of my children will sit through this curriculum,” he said.
His criticisms of the text included it was written for inner-city youth, Scappoose is not an inner city, and role-playing activities asked students to play sexually active heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual students of both sexes.
“This book is out there,” said Kristy Flanagan. She also objected to the role-playing activities in the book.
“This book defines oral sex, vaginal sex, anal sex and masturbation,” said Lisa Maloney.
She objected to the AIDS safe behaviors in the book that include self-masturbation, mutual masturbation, wet kissing and doing IV drugs without needle sharing.
“Our kids deserve better than this,” she said. “We need to protect their innocence.”
“Twenty-five percent of students in the eighth through 12th grade have a sexually transmitted disease,” said Brenda Rafferty, district nurse.
“There is no direct teaching about condoms in these books,” she said. “It’s not condom-mania.”
Parental complaints did not encompass the use of condoms.
Tim Rotter said he was against the curriculum.
“I have five kids,” he said. “I didn’t have sex education and I figured it out.”
“It’s totally inappropriate in the sixth grade,” said Mary Taylor. “Especially in a coed class.”
According to Brad Victor, sexuality education specialist at the Oregon Department of Education, 15-16 percent of eighth-graders are sexually active. Risky behaviors that include drug abuse, alcohol use, tobacco use and sexual activity all increase in the eighth-grade.
“Prevention is easier and more effective to teach than cessation,” Victor said.
The new comprehensive sexuality education textbooks are part of the state’s focus on prevention of risky sexual behaviors.
The state defines a comprehensive sexuality education program as an abstinence-based program that emphasizes that abstinence is the 100 percent effective way to prevent unintended pregnancy, STDs, and HIV/AIDS. Also, medically accurate information about condom use and other forms of contraception is included in these programs.
Rafferty said that condoms and contraception were only discussed when a student asked a question and then only medically accurate information was given.
The curriculum, “Making a Difference!” is available at the district office for parents to review on school days from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The board will take public comments in writing or at the next school board meeting, Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m. To make a comment in writing, mail it to Scappoose School District, 33589 S.W. High School Way, Scappoose, OR 97056 or fax 503-543-7011.
What are the messages sixth- through eighth-grade students will receive about sexuality education?
1. Young teenagers are not physically or emotionally ready for responsible sexual relationships that include intercourse.
2. Abstinence is the safest and most effective method to prevent HIV/STDs and unintended pregnancy.
3. Teens need to discuss sexual limits with their partners and people need to respect those limits.
4. There are many ways to express love, attraction and connection that do not include sexual intercourse.
5. Teens need to talk to their parent(s) or other trusted adult before they engage in risky sexual behaviors.
6. Most adults believe school-age teens should not have sexual intercourse.
7. The majority of school-aged youth are not having sexual intercourse.
8. Media influence.
9. Biology; including puberty, maturation, masculinity and femininity and reproductive health.
10. Define vaginal, oral and anal sexual intercourse.
11. Effective use of contraception and disease prevention methods.
12. Chain of infection.
13. Positive image and healthy identity.
14. Dating violence.
15. Refusal skills.
16. Skills for making responsible decisions and choices.
17. The effects of alcohol and drug use in making responsible sexual decisions.