Zyphlin

Alright. I will start this by saying I am in favor of comprehensive sexual education, NOT abstinence only.

Now, that said. There's been a number of posters on this forum raking a 17 year old girl through the mud, seemingly on accusations made due to nothing more than ASSUMPTION and not based on an ounce of actual research.

So above we see people critizing her for her sexual education, assuming it as abstinence education because that's what her mother prefers. We have one person, in Curious George, saying that Palin's daughter being pregnant is a "pretty good argument for teaching safe sex". Will his view be the same, only about abstinence only programs, if its found that she was taught "safe sex"? In Dana's we have him stating she's the "poster girl" for the "fact" that abstinence only education doesn't work. Will he believe the same if thing about comprehensive sexual education if its shown that's what she got?

Lets look at some facts here, something I'm sure the above three people and others didn't have any desire to actually do beyond "Palin prefers abstinence only".

First, from the Guttmacher institutes study on Contraception Counts about Alaska. Their site provides some information about Alaska's chosen sexual education programs. They rate Alaska's sexual education as "neutral" on a Best/Good/Neutral/Bad/Worst scale. They aslo note there is no requirement for abstinence only or comprehensive education to be one of choice. It also shows Alaska is 1st amongst the 50 states in both availability of contraceptive serviecs and public funding of to support the delivery of such things. SO...thus far, there's nothing pointing to the fact that she's had abstinence only education nor that Alaska in general is opposed to the idea of contraception.

Let us look farther.

We can see what Wasilla High Schools Assistant Principle says about it. While it seems he's not extremely familiar with the program it still seems to be pointing away from abstinence only: LINK

While not concrete, is still more in favor of the fact that its likely a "middle of the road" comprehensive approach of teaching than anything people have to show abstinence only.

Lets continue.

HERE is an article from last year in Juneau Alaska talking about a fight between the school board and parents in being allowed to pull students out of sex ed classes. It seems to be stating its comprehensive education, showing once again Alaska seems to be in favor of this and that comprehensive is whats found in Alaska.

Onwards we go.

It appears Anchorage, of which Wasilla is part of its metropolitan area, has a comprehensive approach: LINK

Now, further, I have found the curriculumn for Wasilla schools, which can be seen here, however the description of the health classes...while stating it talks about sexuality...does not go into details.

-EDIT...New Information-

Further information found. According to OnTheIssues, they state that Palin has stated herself as "pro-contraception".

This seems to go against the assertion of some people that her stance that abstinence-only education in schools means she also believes parents shouldn't promote contraception practices.

So there's my research thus far. As I've stated elsewhere, its been a bit difficult as the web is deluged with things about "alaska", "wasilla", and sex ed of any kind right now so searchs are a bit difficult.

Additionally, I fully will say that we have no definitive answer that Wasilla teaches comprehensive birth control. However, aside from Palin's stance, all the rest of the evidence...includign the Assistant Principle...seems to be leading towards that being the case.

As well, I do not know if Palin held her daughter out of sex ed every year from middle school onwards. This is information I do not have, nor know if its really posted up. The closest to talking about anything like this is the people in Jeneau where its showing that parents are apparently having difficulty getting their children out of such classes.

So, I ask a few questions to those out there in line with the three posters at the top.

Do you have any proof, aside from Palin's preference, that her daughter was taught in abstinence only education in schools.

AND

For those that are saying that her daughter being pregnant gives proof or validation that abstinence only education works, will you show yourself to be honest and say the same about comprehensive education if it is revealed that's what she has gone through? Or will you show yourself to be dishonest and overly partisan, holding that standard only to the type of education you dislike.

I'm looking forward to seeing anyone elses evidence, research, or anything at all pointing towards it going the other way. I mean this sincerely. I have no problem being proven wrong in this...but I actually want some kind of legitimate inforamtion doing the proving.

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mikhail

Good points i made that assumption myself.However i do think her mothers feelings on the matter made her more likely to become pregnant which again i cant prove but i feel it plausible a parent who was passionately against sex before marriage would be very difficult to talk too.

Then again i just find it so strange that in this day and age its the lack of education thats causing this.With the girls ive known who have got pregnant in their teens they just didnt seem to care.

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Panther

Agree 100%.

The pundits saying that the hypocrisy of the Gov.'s public policy with her personal situation is what makes Bristol's situation fair game for public discourse is ridiculous.

She is for abstinence only education (by the public school system), her daughter got pregnant after being educated about birth control. If anything she could make the case that promoting birth control in school is what led her daughter to feel that it is acceptable behavior.

I disagree, and like you think there is a place for sex education in schools. However, the point is that there is no hypocrisy in this situation which should keep Bristol off-limits. Public discourse on the subject is fine, just not in the context of Bristol Palin's personal situation - it isn't relevant.

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new coup for you

I think she got pregnant because she's white trash and her sex education has little relevance, as white trash have a implacable need to get pregnant at 17.

Studies have shown that white trash women, isolated from all male contact, can spontaneously become pregnant.

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And why does your tone suggest that you do not care about children?

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike.

Zyphlin

Thank you for trolling my thread with that last line. Much appreciated.

DeeJayH

Palin thinks abstinence only is all schools should teach
that does not prove that is what she thinks parents should teach

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mikhail

Yes i dont actually know but i think its plausible her attitude would be dont do it.

donc

Yea this sure works doesn't it?

HEALTH DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES THE NATION’S FIRST OFFICIAL CITY CONDOM

New York’s “Hottest New Wrapper” Sweeps the Five Boroughs on Valentine’s Day

<NEW YORK CITY – February 14, 2007 –The New York City Health Department today unveiled the NYC Condom, the first in the nation with an official brand. The NYC Condom is the same high-quality LifeStyles product the Health Department now distributes through health centers and
community organizations. The price hasn't changed – it's still free – but the package has a bold new look.>


HEALTH DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES THE NATION?S FIRST OFFICIAL CITY CONDOM : Press Release : NYC DOHMH

Summerwind

Actually the line of reasoning the abstinence only group gives for not wanting contraception taught anywhere is because they believe it is the same as condoning or encouraging sex out of marriage. So if she chose to educate her child and it is revealed, will the righties then decide that Sarah instigated her daughter's sexual activity because she was educated about condoms and safe sex?

Zyphlin

I don't know. You talk as if "The righties" all believe the same thing. There you go again summerwind, trying to group everyone together. I thought you dislike people doing that?

I'm on the right, so a "righty", and I'm against Abstinence only. Do you have proof that the "righties" all believe we should have abstinece only education? And all for the exact same reason?

Perhaps you should be asking if those that are infavor of abstinence only education because educating kids about condoms will encourage them to have sex will decide Sarah instigated her daughters sexual activity for educating her about safe sex.

That'd be a lot more accurate, non-exaggerated, and partisan way of asking it.