The great sex debate

In a sex education play for teenagers called “Truth and Consequences,” a fictitious 15-year-old boy named Ray Ray chooses to have unprotected sex even though he knows of the possible dangers.

Ray Ray is played by Pete Key, a local motivational speaker and certified HIV/AIDS instructor, who presents an awareness program called “Determine Your Destiny.”

“That one moment of pleasure could cause you a lifetime of pain because it only takes one time,” Key’s character says to teens.

Key uses the performances to speak to teens about the decisions they face, what outcomes can result from their decisions and ways to avoid making decisions with negative consequences.

His is among the abstinence-before-marriage programs presented in Alabama schools. Abstinence before marriage is the basis of sex education instruction.

But funding for abstinence-only programs may be in jeopardy. The legislation authorizing funding for abstinence-only programs in schools would have expired Saturday. On Wednesday, House members extended the funding for three months and are scheduled to address the issue when they reconvene this month.

Under Section 510 of Title V, Congress authorized $50 million be provided annually for five years to states in the form of block grants to promote abstinence-until-marriage programs.

Alabama receives $953,172 for such programs, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Susan Stewart, state abstinence education coordinator, said the program has been successful despite criticism from proponents for a more comprehensive sex education program that would include teaching birth control and condom use and not just abstinence.

“(Those proponents) have constantly lobbied Congress to get rid of abstinence-until- marriage (programs) because of the negative feedback saying they don’t work,” Stewart said. “We do have proof that they do work.”

Schools across the state and nation are required to teach HIV prevention education, as well as provide general classroom instruction on issues like abstinence and sexually transmitted diseases. They must adhere to federal and state laws on what can and cannot be taught in sex education curriculum or programs.

“By law, the basis for our instruction has to be abstinence only,” said Billy Warren, curriculum director for Florence schools.

Warren said HIV/AIDS awareness instruction begins at fifth grade and continues through high school. Sex education is incorporated into science and health courses beginning in sixth grade and also continues through high school.

Warren said programs like Key’s are great learning avenues to present such information. “My hope is that through education, better decisions will be made,” he said.

Brittany Williams was an 11th-grader when she heard Key’s program at Deshler High School in Tuscumbia during the past school year.

“Most sex-ed programs tell you don’t do it. (Key) told us all the repercussions that could happen,” Williams said.

Key said he receives mixed reviews about his program from teens and adults.

“What I found is that when we talk about a kid abstaining, there are so many other factors playing up to that,” Key said. “It’s more than just about having sex or not to have sex.”

Critics of abstinence-only programs cite a report released in April by Mathematica Policy Research Inc. that claims abstinence-only programs are unsucessful.

Results from the 10-year study note that after reviewing several abstinence-only programs funded under Title V, it was discovered that children taught under those programs were no more likely to abstain from sex than those who don’t take part in such programs.

James Wagoner, president of Advocates for Youth, agrees with the report’s findings and said that a more “balanced approach” should be presented in sex education that includes abstinence and contraceptives.

“The report shows abstinence-only-until-marriage programs don’t work,” Wagoner said. “You have millions upon millions of young people that are getting no information about prevention.”

He said teaching abstinence, STD awareness and learning how to deal with peer pressure are important aspects of sex education, but the curriculum needs to go beyond that.

“The time has come in this country where we need a national, honest conversation … and help young people in this country balance, in a responsible way, their sexual health and desires with their needs to make good choices,” he said.

Valerie Huber, executive director of the National Abstinence Education Association, however, said the Mathematica study results should not be generally applied to all abstinence education programs and noted that the study began when Title V abstinence education programs were still in their infancy.

“The study examined only four out of a pool of over 700 Title V programs,” Huber said in a press release. “These narrow findings represent less than 1 percent of all Title V projects across the nation.

“There is overwhelming support from parents and teens for abstinence education – especially when people understand that the emphasis of abstinence education centers on building healthy relationships, enhancing self-esteem and discussing the impact that sexual activity can have on a teen’s future goals.”

While the issue is debated at the national level, local young people have mixed feelings about abstinence-only versus comprehensive programs.

Zack Crowell, 20, of Muscle Shoals, recalled the classes at his high school. He said the sex education classes were informative, but kids usually chose to have sex anyway.

“The classes were … straight from the book. They teach abstinence is the best way. It needs to be more detailed, though, in a different way and more informational,” he said.

On the other hand, Leanna Hammack, 14, who attends Wayne County High School, said the abstinence message is getting through to teens.

“We have an abstinence program at least once a year. I think it’s helpful,” she said. “It makes you have second thoughts about stuff. They teach people that you’re really not cool just for having sex.”

TimesDaily Staff Writer Kenda Williams can be reached at 740-5720 or kenda.williams@timesdaily.com.

Medill News Service staff writer Alexandra Steigrad contributed to this report.