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Did you give your sticky away?

July 18th, 2007     by Stacey May Fowles     Comments

I am not a big fan of abstinence only education, nor am I a fan of talking to teenagers like they’re idiots. That’s why this New York Times article made me shudder. Long story short, abstinence-only organizations south of the border are still using their twisted “purity and morality” tactics despite the fact that they are “fighting serious threats to their future:”

Eleven state health departments rejected abstinence education this year, while legislatures in Colorado, Iowa and Washington passed laws that could kill, or at least wound, its presence in public schools.

Now, don’t get me wrong- I don’t think abstinence education in itself is a bad idea, I just think if teens choose to have sex they should have the information and the tools necessary to make that choice safely and in a self-respecting and empowered manner. But hey, that’s just me.

Eric Love is the director of an East Texas Abstinence Program, which runs “Virginity Rules.” This is a sample of the kind of “education” he’s giving teens in regards to sexuality:

 “Sex was designed to bond two people together.” To make the point, Mr. Love grabbed a tape dispenser and snapped off two fresh pieces. He slapped them to his filing cabinet and the floor; they trapped dirt, lint, a small metal bolt. “Now when it comes time for them to get married, the marriage pulls apart so easily,” he said, trying to unite the grimy strips. “Why? Because they gave the stickiness away.”

Um, excuse me? Giving my stickiness away?

via Feministing.

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Tags: body politics

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