In a letter sent to Juneau County schools last month, District Attorney Scott Southworth warned teachers and administrators that he had concerns regarding the recently passed Healthy Youth Act. The law, which goes into effect this fall, requires that schools offering sex-ed classes include information about various forms of contraception. In his letter, Southworth warned that instructors complying with new guidelines may be unwittingly opening themselves to criminal charges by “contributing to the delinquency of a minor” and “promoting the sexualization — or sexual assault — of our children.”
Some of Southworth’s arguments are silly, such as his warning that the new law will allow the contraceptive industry (i.e. Planned Parenthood) to “market sexually oriented products to our children.” Some are homophobic — he warns that schools will be forced to “condone controversial sexual behavior” because the Healthy Youth Act demands classes not promote bias against students based on sexual orientation. The most troubling part of his letter, however, is the way he links sexual assault to sexuality education.
He bases it all on the oft-repeated claim that teaching students about contraception will encourage them to have intercourse. Mr. Southworth then goes on to argue that it is “a crime to engage in sexual intercourse with a child under 18” — presumably he is referring to adults here, in fact he never gets into the legality of sexual contact between minors. He concludes teachers, by talking about birth control, are risking prosecution for promoting illegal activity.
Maybe Mr. Southworth is right to argue it would be safer if minors did not have sex. However, his clumsy attempt to conflate this with the very real problem of sexual assault among young people is a disservice to students. Open and honest discussion about sexuality, far from being a danger, is the only way of addressing the issue. Comprehensive sex education does not, as Mr. Southworth claims, encourage intercourse or promiscuity, rather it takes seriously the fact that students may one day make a decision to enter into a sexual relationship. Discussing it this way — as a personal choice with attendant risks, rewards and responsibilities — is a key part of preventing sexual assault.
It is, after all, that conscious decision of both partners to become intimate that separates sexual activity from sexual assault. Clear, unambiguous consent must be the basis of any responsible romantic relationship — whether or not it involves intercourse. While that may seem obvious, it is an idea that must be taught. Unfortunately, it is not always taught, and remains a problem on this campus despite the efforts of groups like PAVE, Sex Out Loud, UHS and the Campus Women’s Center.
Perhaps those like Southworth would argue if minors should not be having sex, what is the point of talking to them about consent? The most obvious answer is that abstinent students have relationships too, and consent applies to all kinds of intimacy. Secondly, consent requires forethought, decision making and communication skills that are important milestones on the road to adulthood. Learning respect for oneself and others is also an important part of adolescence. Reminding students that they own their bodies and should not touch or be touched without permission gives them confidence to resist being pressured into something they would rather not do.
And how else should students learn these lessons? From the media which so often portrays sex as a force of nature, something that just happens without any discussion or negotiation between two always-willing characters? From abstinence-only education in which they are taught the only right answer is “no”? No. Comprehensive sex-ed is important because it presents sexual activity as a decision and by providing complete and accurate information as well as open discussion, encouraging students to make respectful choices.
Abstinence-only classes, if anything, encourage sexual assault. Their framing of sex as an illicit and shameful act removes much of the attendant responsibility. If all students learn while growing up is that having a sexual relationship is wrong, where’s the incentive to do it right? Making sex something forbidden and secret only discourages responsible and considerate behavior while encouraging abuse. Less education will not help students, nor will it address the problem of sexual assault.
Geoff Jara-Almonte ([email protected]) is a third year graduate medical student.
