Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
San Francisco Chronicle - The Voice of the West, 901 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94119 - Tuesday, April 29, 1997 - Page A15
Glen Martin, Chronicle Staff Writer
The report, issued by the Public Media Center of San Francisco and the Applied Research Center of Oakland, states that one-third of the state's school districts say they have been pressured to modify sex education programs, mainly by religious organizations.
The two groups also said that abstinence-only sex education curricula violated the state education code because they deny students information about contraception, fail to mention that condoms may reduce the risk of HIV infection and depict gays and people of color in an unflattering light.
The state education code requires schools to emphasize abstinence from sex and intravenous drug use as the best way to avoid AIDS. It also requires schools to provide students with accurate information on condoms and forbids the stereotyping of people with AIDS.
"The curricula we studied were so riddled with omissions and errors that they were life-threatening," said Hunter Cutting, a spokesman for the Applied Research Center. "They implied that the HIV virus could pass through latex condoms -- and that might discourage sexually active teens from using (condoms)."
Cutting said abstinence-only sex programs often promote negative stereotypes of gays and people of color. Yesterday's report cited a popular abstinence-only text known as Sex Respect as particular egregious in this regard.
Whites were presented in positive scenarios, the report said, while African Americans were largely absent or depicted in negative situations, such as at a sexually transmitted disease clinic.
But supporters of abstinence- only education defended the programs. Pauline Holmes, a San Francisco psychotherapist who specializes in a Christian clientele, said abstinence-only programs are effective.
"Even President Clinton is espousing them because they work," she said. "The fact is that children cannot emotionally handle sexual activity, and there is no denying the tremendous downside of disease and pregnancy. Condoms and contraceptives are by no means foolproof."
The California Legislature currently is contemplating new funding for abstinence-only programs.
Diane Van Maren, a senior consultant to the state Senate Budget Committee, said Governor Pete Wilson has proposed using money available through the 1996 federal Welfare Reform Act to pour millions of dollars into abstinence-only sex education.
"The grants provided by the act are specifically for abstinence- only programs," said Van Maren. "The governor wants to designate $4.5 million in federal money, which will have to be matched by the state. The money is available -- the Senate and Assembly just have to determine if they want to proceed."
Hunter said sex education funds should be used for programs that conform to California education codes.
"The state is going to have to step up to the plate and tell school districts that these programs threaten lives," he said. "It's fine to teach abstinence -- but comprehensive education on contraceptives and the proper use of condoms has to be included. Otherwise, it's illegal."
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