Sex-ed material used by many public schools
Tue May 3, 2005 19:22
64.140.158.93
New Report Documents Errors in Condom Video and Health Curriculum
Montgomery County (MD) Condom Demonstration Video Contains Significant Factual Errors; Board of Education Should Remove Video from Schools
To: National Desk, Health Reporter, Education Reporter
Contact: Dr. Warren Throckmorton, 724-458-3787, 724-967-5644 cell, ewthrockmorton@gcc.edu ; Dr. Ruth Jacobs, 301-545-8695 pager, 301-294-1870
News Advisory, May 3 /Christian Wire Service/ -- Montgomery County, Md., Public Schools' controversial health education curriculum for middle school and high school aged students has been reviewed by two mental health experts and an infectious disease medical specialist. Their report, titled Health Education as Social Advocacy found significant errors of fact in the curriculum. One of the main components of the curriculum, the condom demonstration video Protect Yourself, should be discarded due to these errors.
Noting an error of fact, one of the report authors Warren Throckmorton, Ph.D., said, "In reviewing the Montgomery County, Md., condom demonstration video, I was surprised to find factual errors. The film tells 10th graders that condoms are 98% effective but does not tell them that this figure does not apply to sexually transmitted infections. Further, the video does not tell students that this figure only applies to perfect use. In fact, typical use failure rates of condoms for pregnancy are around 15% for the average user. Condoms provide poor protection for many STIs, such as herpes and the human papilloma virus (HPV). Students need these facts."
Report co-author Ruth M. Jacobs, M.D., added, "Use of condoms using Nonoxynol-9 is encouraged by the "Protect Yourself" video but the World Health Organization has stated that Nonoxynol-9 condoms should not be promoted and that Nonoxynol-9 should not be used rectally." Dr. Jacobs continued, "The misinformation given to teens by the video is particularly troubling because Nonoxynol-9 has been associated with mucosal irritation and increased risk of HIV infection. We need to give the best possible information to impressionable students."
The authors also point out that the Montgomery County, Md., report seeks to address issues of personal sexual orientation through a curriculum of purported health education.
This white paper, title Health Education as Social Advocacy is available online at http://www.drthrockmorton.com/montgomeryhealthrevision2005.pdf , is a response to the effort of the Montgomery County Public Schools to address disease, pregnancy and confusion concerning personal sexuality via health education among middle school and high school aged students. While this report is directed toward the Montgomery County Public Schools, the research and conclusions are applicable across the country.
Health education has become a battleground in many locations, including Montgomery County, Md., due to the inclusion of sexuality education within the overall mission of health education. Sexuality education in any context is controversial. Issues of parental control, educator responsibility, morality, and health consequences for students all converge to make consensus difficult.
"If the sex-ed material used by many public schools were presented as part of a debate class it would be understood that it was just one point of view. But when schools favor a biased approach to teach about sexual behavior, students almost certainly will assume that material is scientific and balanced. Such assumptions can lead to risky sexual behavior. We need to re-examine our public health strategies in favor of primary prevention of risk based behaviors." -- David Blakeslee, Psy.D.
The report is available online at: http://www.drthrockmorton.com/montgomeryhealthrevision2005.pdf
Warren Throckmorton, PhD is Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Counseling Services at Grove City College (PA. He is the producer of the critically acclaimed documentary, I Do Exist and maintains a website at www.drthrockmorton.com .
David Blakeslee, PsyD is in private practice of psychology in Lake Oswego, OR. He is a frequent columnist and conference speaker on topics of values, science and education.
Ruth M. Jacobs, MD is an infectious disease specialist practicing in Rockville, MD. She is board certified in allergies and immunology, internal medicine and infectious diseases.
Warren Throckmorton, PhD
www.drthrockmorton.com
www.idoexist.com
www.identityradio.com
# # #
______________________________________________
The preceding was forwarded to you by the Christian Communication Network.
You can always find the latest press releases at http://www.ChristianWireService.com
Christian Communication Network
2020 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20006
202.546.0054
HTTP://www.ChristianWireService.com
Montgomery County (MD) Condom Demonstration Video Contains Significant Factual Errors; Board of Education Should Remove Video from Schools
To: National Desk, Health Reporter, Education Reporter
Contact: Dr. Warren Throckmorton, 724-458-3787, 724-967-5644 cell, ewthrockmorton@gcc.edu ; Dr. Ruth Jacobs, 301-545-8695 pager, 301-294-1870
News Advisory, May 3 /Christian Wire Service/ -- Montgomery County, Md., Public Schools' controversial health education curriculum for middle school and high school aged students has been reviewed by two mental health experts and an infectious disease medical specialist. Their report, titled Health Education as Social Advocacy found significant errors of fact in the curriculum. One of the main components of the curriculum, the condom demonstration video Protect Yourself, should be discarded due to these errors.
Noting an error of fact, one of the report authors Warren Throckmorton, Ph.D., said, "In reviewing the Montgomery County, Md., condom demonstration video, I was surprised to find factual errors. The film tells 10th graders that condoms are 98% effective but does not tell them that this figure does not apply to sexually transmitted infections. Further, the video does not tell students that this figure only applies to perfect use. In fact, typical use failure rates of condoms for pregnancy are around 15% for the average user. Condoms provide poor protection for many STIs, such as herpes and the human papilloma virus (HPV). Students need these facts."
Report co-author Ruth M. Jacobs, M.D., added, "Use of condoms using Nonoxynol-9 is encouraged by the "Protect Yourself" video but the World Health Organization has stated that Nonoxynol-9 condoms should not be promoted and that Nonoxynol-9 should not be used rectally." Dr. Jacobs continued, "The misinformation given to teens by the video is particularly troubling because Nonoxynol-9 has been associated with mucosal irritation and increased risk of HIV infection. We need to give the best possible information to impressionable students."
The authors also point out that the Montgomery County, Md., report seeks to address issues of personal sexual orientation through a curriculum of purported health education.
This white paper, title Health Education as Social Advocacy is available online at http://www.drthrockmorton.com/montgomeryhealthrevision2005.pdf , is a response to the effort of the Montgomery County Public Schools to address disease, pregnancy and confusion concerning personal sexuality via health education among middle school and high school aged students. While this report is directed toward the Montgomery County Public Schools, the research and conclusions are applicable across the country.
Health education has become a battleground in many locations, including Montgomery County, Md., due to the inclusion of sexuality education within the overall mission of health education. Sexuality education in any context is controversial. Issues of parental control, educator responsibility, morality, and health consequences for students all converge to make consensus difficult.
"If the sex-ed material used by many public schools were presented as part of a debate class it would be understood that it was just one point of view. But when schools favor a biased approach to teach about sexual behavior, students almost certainly will assume that material is scientific and balanced. Such assumptions can lead to risky sexual behavior. We need to re-examine our public health strategies in favor of primary prevention of risk based behaviors." -- David Blakeslee, Psy.D.
The report is available online at: http://www.drthrockmorton.com/montgomeryhealthrevision2005.pdf
Warren Throckmorton, PhD is Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Counseling Services at Grove City College (PA. He is the producer of the critically acclaimed documentary, I Do Exist and maintains a website at www.drthrockmorton.com .
David Blakeslee, PsyD is in private practice of psychology in Lake Oswego, OR. He is a frequent columnist and conference speaker on topics of values, science and education.
Ruth M. Jacobs, MD is an infectious disease specialist practicing in Rockville, MD. She is board certified in allergies and immunology, internal medicine and infectious diseases.
Warren Throckmorton, PhD
www.drthrockmorton.com
www.idoexist.com
www.identityradio.com
# # #
______________________________________________
The preceding was forwarded to you by the Christian Communication Network.
You can always find the latest press releases at http://www.ChristianWireService.com
Christian Communication Network
2020 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20006
202.546.0054
HTTP://www.ChristianWireService.com
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