Abstinence-only speaker for Freeman stirs controversy
The scheduling of an abstinence-only speaker today at Douglas Freeman High School has drawn protests from some teachers, an abortion-rights organization, and a gay and lesbian education network.
Pam Stenzel, founder of Enlighten Communications Inc., "tackles today's tough issues of sex with candor, insight, humor and the challenge for young people to get the abstinence advantage," according to a description on her Web site.
That message is appropriate for high school students, Freeman Principal Anne L. Poates said in an e-mail to staff at the school Thursday. "No, it does not present all sides of this issue, as it is not a family life education presentation. Yes, it presents one choice -- abstinence -- as an important choice for teenagers in a way that seems to reach them and have a lasting impact." Poates used the school's phone-message system to offer the choice of opting out.
Michelle Gajda, a Freeman teacher who emphasized that she was speaking as a private citizen and not as a representative of the school, worried that Stenzel represents a conservative social agenda.
"She's not apolitical, and that's to be expected of a speaker in a public school," Gajda said. "Her message is most often given [to], and is appropriate for, church audiences."
An e-mail to Henrico Superintendent Patrick Russo said that more than 10 faculty members had written the principal in opposition. Russo replied that the School Board attorney had reviewed the matter and found no legal justification to prevent Stenzel from speaking.
The abortion-rights organization NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia wrote the principal, saying Stenzel's previous presentations included "medically inaccurate myths." The Richmond chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, in another letter, referred to religious bias that would add to the alienation felt by gay and lesbian students.
Stenzel has been asked to delete some portions of her usual speech, Gajda said, such as referrals to crisis pregnancy centers that counsel against abortions.
Contact Katherine Calos at (804) 649-6433 or
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Reader Reactions
You guys have gotten ridiculous with the comments. ALL OPTIONS ARE ON THE TABLE. It is called Sex Education. It is absurd to say that everyone has to give the same presentation. This person presents Abstinance. The Nurse spends a week plus telling them how to use a condom. This has been going on for years. STDs have been on the rise for almost 15 years now. It hasn’t made any difference. I teach high school Chemistry. That is a very biased look at science. For the kids to be well-rounded, they need exposure to other disciplines. Should I have to teach them also? See how silly that is. You got all worked up over one part of the presentation. There are many others that are giving input on the subject.
People here say that Abstinence has failed. I’ve seen this over and over. Telling them how to do it properly has failed. It doesn’t matter folks because the power of the sexual urge will overcome the kid’s concern about pregnancy and even STDs even when the condom isn’t available. Even with all of the so called education that is put together by Planned Parenthood, many kids will tell you that if the girl is on the pill, it is ok not to use a condom. They see “monogamous” as I’ve had the same boyfriend for 4 weeks. So, some say we’ve given Abstinence a chance and it failed. I would submit this is the same as saying that we gave extreme gun laws a chance in DC and it failed. It isn’t done in a vaccuum. A lot more than DC would have to be done to know if it is a success. One or two school districts isn’t going to tell us how effective abstinence is. Nor will a couple of years of encouraging it. If you think so, you are very deceiving yourself. The same argument that Planned Parenthood uses holds true on the other side. That is: a consistent method of education needs to be in place for many years before you will see moral behavior begin to change.
I was wondering the same thing, Mr.R. I remember reading the discourse and couldn’t discern anything that was “offensive, hateful, or vulgar”. Oh, well. It’s hard to tell what they’re thinking sometimes. Watch this post disappear in 5…4…3…..........
wpanak… I read your link before they took it down.
Interesting that the US leads in teen pregnancies.I don’t know if I agree with their assertions for the reason why.Hmmm…
Anyway,I can’t imagine why they pulled your post..or mine.They were on topic and I don’t think either was offensive.
I guess the RTD posting czars don’t appreciate the witty criticisms… OR the informal fallacies.
mrright—here are the data:
http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/tgr/05/1/gr050107.html
Apparently my earlier post was deleted, but that does not change the facts.
I don’t understand why sex should be an option on the table for children. Clearly, some teachers think it should be…kinda like the coach at JR Tucker.
Maybe we should just say that there’s a faction of kids that are gonna draw swastikas, KKK’s, and gang markers no matter what we tell them. Let’s not attack their personal morals, but do teach them about (or maybe even provide them with) water-soluble paints!
And certainly don’t bring in a speaker who would present a one-sided view of racism that makes them feel judged, or fails to address the root causes that might allow them to blame their views on society.
We want to make sure that they have options on the table.
Not to mention, the article linked here is irrelevant because Virginia already has “parental notification”. I guess call me “elitist”, too, for knowing that fact.
So because we believe all options should be on the table for children, not just one option from a speaker with an agenda who presents false information, we’re in favor of “secret abortions” that “educational elites” approve of. That’s a stretch Concerned.
Here’s a question for you: When did being educated start getting associated with elitism and become a bad thing for conservatives?
This is timely..
For all those who are opposed to the abstinence-only speaker, would you rather have this?
http://www.ednews.org/articles/schools-let-students-seek-secret-abortions.html
I didnt read all through the previous 15 posts so I apologize if this has already been mentioned but just by glancing through I did not see anything on this issue. Although it may not be “enforced” and I understand this article is specifically referring to our youth, in the State of VA it is illegal to have sex unless you are married according to VA Code § 18.2-344 and if you are married and have sex with someone other than your spouse, that’s illegal also according to VA State Code § 18.2-365.
I can think of many other controversial issues we could be debating over other than abstinence being discussed in public schools. Ultimately, it’s still a choice to the individual. What is wrong with being made aware of what your options are and then making an “informed decision”. According to the law everyone should remain abstinent unless you are having sex with the person you are legally married to. Don’t shoot the messenger.
mrright: As I’ve stated on here before (and I’ll forgive you for maybe missing it amongst the 15 pages of comments), I have no problem with abstinence education. I just think both sides should be taught, and I don’t think this was the proper speaker to do it as she’s clearly stated in the past that she doesn’t care if what she teaches works. She has a whole other agenda.
And getting back to your comparison to the Palin family, maybe Levi could give Obama some advice on how to become a “model” for Playgirl?
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