A Flawed Approach to Sex Ed

Thomas B. Edsall's March 22 front-page article, "Grants Flow to Bush Allies on Social Issues," was timely for Rhode Island.

In September the American Civil Liberties Union filed a complaint with the Rhode Island Education Department regarding an abstinence-only curriculum developed by Heritage Community Services, which promotes such curriculums in several states. This curriculum included a video with a host who explained how abstinence helped him to "honor my relationship with Jesus." It also said that "girls have a responsibility to wear modest clothing that doesn't invite lustful thoughts" and required students to disclose personal information about their sexual activities.

In response to our complaint the state education department recently alerted schools that this curriculum is inconsistent with state educational standards and inappropriate as part of a public school health curriculum.

The Heritage example, however, is just the tip of the iceberg of the abstinence-only industry. The federal government has spent nearly $1 billion on such programs. Yet research indicates that many of these programs do not help teenagers delay having sex and that some actually deter them from using protection when they do start having sex.

Teenagers deserve the facts about protecting against unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. Funding ideological allies may be the "prerogative that presidents have," but young Americans pay the hefty price.

STEVEN BROWN

Executive Director

ACLU of Rhode Island

Providence, R.I.