'Parents for Truth' Campaign Backs Abstinence-Based Education

By Aaron J. Leichman, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Parents need to do more to fight against the harmful effects of "comprehensive" sex education on young people, according to the National Abstinence Education Association (NAEA).

"'Comprehensive' sex education is often very graphic and explicit," said NAEA Executive Director Valerie Huber in a statement. "It is not age-appropriate, and it actually encourages sexual activities that put teens at risk for not only disease, but a host of other consequences."

In their new "Parents for Truth" campaign, the pro-abstinence group hopes to recruit one million parents over the next three years in a prolonged battle against comprehensive sex education programs.

Huber explained why it is crucial for parents to organize and bring to the national spotlight the importance of abstinence education.

"With abstinence education, the purpose is to provide all of the risks associated with teen sexual activity and encourage them to wait until marriage. And while contraception can be discussed, it's always within the context of why abstinence is the best choice," Huber said.

Huber noted that among the biggest problems today is that parents feel resigned into believing in the invincibility of comprehensive sex education proponents like Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest provider of surgical abortions, reportedly funnels millions of dollars every year into what pro-family groups dub "condom-based sex education."

"We're looking for active coalitions of parents who are fighting this battle right now so that we can assist them," Huber said.

"We know that if parents can be mobilized and can be informed on this issue, they will be able to accomplish far more than any funding from our opponents will be able to accomplish," she explained.

According to a study by The Heritage Foundation, research overwhelmingly supports the case for abstinence-based education in place of "comprehensive" sex education in schools.

In the study, 15 out of 21 abstinence-education programs "showed positive behavioral results in the students, including the delay or reduction of sexual activity."