
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 21, 1995                   TAG: 9502210030
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: NANCY R. EDDY
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SEX EDUCATION BELONGS IN SCHOOLS

WHY DO parents choose not to have their children participate in Family Life Education classes in school? It's probably because they want to present what they consider sensitive information in their own way, at their own time. Fair enough. Why do some people spend so much time and energy to preclude other people's children from receiving comprehensive education on many aspects of healthful living, including sexuality education? I really don't know, and rather than speculate on their motives, I will offer what I believe are reasons why FLE should be strengthened.

The argument is made that sexuality education should be taught at home. I agree. How many parents are equipped with accurate information and the ability to overcome their embarrassment to discuss this with their children? Churches sometimes have fine programs for children. That's wonderful, but how many children aren't afforded such experiences? Like it or not, school is the one common experience all children share, and teachers are the only group that can offer this vital information to the vast majority of our children.

Sadly, there are many rumors and half-truths circulated about what's being taught. The network of those who would remove FLE from our schools is so extensive that one incident from anywhere in the country is often embellished and circulated as fact that it's happening everywhere. I urge everyone to view these rumors with a healthy dose of skepticism. Each school division has a definite curriculum, copies of which are available at each school and in local libraries. Rather than listen to those who would destroy the system, anyone with a question or concern should consult these sources.

Knowledge is power; ignorance is dangerous. FLE teaches all aspects of healthful living, and within that context presents sexuality in an unemotional, factual way at appropriate times.

I believe that abstinence should be and is the basis of any responsible sexuality education. That's the core of the program in Virginia. Self-respect should be the primary basis for all education, because only when individuals respect themselves can they respect others - and FLE programs stress that long before they start dealing with sexual information.

There are continuing efforts in the Virginia General Assembly to weaken FLE or to permit its removal from some school districts. Surveys indicate the majority of Virginians strongly endorse sex education in public schools, and yet the program just escaped being torn apart by a group of politicians who are being led by a small faction of people, These people talk about freedom, but are only interested in control. They have every right to make decisions for their own children, but shouldn't be allowed to dictate for everyone else.

At a time when sexual messages, many of them very destructive, are presented constantly in every aspect of our lives, when teen-age pregnancy is threatening the very fabric of our lives, socially and economically, and when AIDS is a growing menace, how can our elected representatives dare to deprive young people of vital information they might never receive except through school programs?

Nancy R. Eddy of Roanoke was on the community-involvement team in Roanoke County when the Family LIfe Education curriculum was developed.

by CNB