Wednesday, February 25, 2009

What we SHOULD be teaching in Texas public schools (and across the nation)

Please go read Marcy's post about the Mirena IUD: her reasons for getting one, reasons why IUDs should be something we talk about more and women use more often.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all talked about these things openly, with clear, accurate information? We talk about other aspects of our bodies and health care, so why is birth control such a taboo?

And wouldn't it be great if the general public knew the facts about IUDs? And all other forms of birth control? Instead of outdated and incorrect reports or misleading information?

If you want to do something about it, check out EducationWorksTexas.org for more info and ways to get involved. Or join me at Planned Parenthood's Lobby Day, March 12th!

Here are some of the bills we'll be talking about to our congresspeople (from an EducationWorks email):

Texas Legislators Take on Sex Education

Texas Legislators Take on Sex Education

The Texas Legislature is in session! Lawmakers will be considering new legislation and the state budget until June 1, and issues concerning sex education and teen pregnancy are among the most talked-about topics.

Several bills have been filed that would improve sex education in Texas:

HB 741/SB 515 The Education Works Act would require that if Texas schools choose to teach sex education, they must present medically-accurate, age-appropriate information, including information about abstinence, contraception, effective communication, responsible decision-making, and what it really takes to be a parent.

HB 1371 Would require that Texas refuse federal funds dedicated to abstinence-only sex education.

HB 1567/SB 1076 Would require instruction on contraceptive use to be scientifically accurate when it is taught as part of a school's sexual health curriculum. It would also prohibit schools from discouraging the use of contraceptives.

HB 1694/SB 1100 The Prevention Works Act would require that if Texas schools choose to teach sex education, they must present medically-accurate information. It would also require schools to notify parents of the content of their sex education curriculum.

Thanks so much for your commitment and support! We will continue to keep you informed through these emails and on the web at EducationWorksTexas.org.

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:10 PM

    I feel very lucky. My high school sex ed was actually very informative and talked about many options. It was certainly not abstinence-only. That having been said, it hardly covered all the options for women their are out there, like diaphragms, and it certainly did not go into IUDs. Even in our more advanced sex ed classes across the nation, we need to go farther! An excellent blog. If I were anywhere near Texas, I would come participate.

    Oh, and also, your layout is positively ADORABLE!

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  2. Anonymous8:11 PM

    Ugh, if I could edit that post, I would. "There" not "their." I'm literate! I promise!

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  3. It's comforting to know in other states things are better, but here in Texas... ugh. It's no coincidence President Abstinence-Only hailed from this neck of the woods!

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