What we're up against...abstinence education and stereotypes

[cally]

We're trying to raise informed, responsible kids and the government is working against us. Read this thread in LBN about abstinence only education. They are lying to our children and promoting stereotypes. They lie about contraception and the roles of women and men. So how do you try to inform your kids?


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1037652&mesg_id=1037652

Here's some excerpts from the report that promote stereotypes:

http://democrats.reform.house.gov/Documents/20041201102153-50247.pdf

E. Abstinence-Only Curricula Treat Stereotypes about Girls and
Boys as Scientific Fact
Many abstinence-only curricula begin with a detailed discussion of differences
between boys and girls. Some of the differences presented are simply biological.
Several of the curricula, however, present stereotypes as scientific fact.
1. Stereotypes that Undermine Girls’ Achievement
Several curricula teach that girls care less about achievement and their futures
than do boys.
One curriculum instructs: “Women gauge their happiness and judge their success
by their relationships. Men’s happiness and success hinge on their
accomplishments.”77 This curriculum also teaches:
Men tend to be more tuned in to what is happening today and what needs
to be done for a secure future. When women began to enter the work
force at an equal pace with men, companies noticed that women were not
as concerned about preparing for retirement. This stems from the priority
men and women place on the past, present, and future.78
Another curriculum lists “Financial Support” as one of the “5 Major Needs of
Women,” and “Domestic Support” as one of the “5 Major Needs of Men.” 79 The
curriculum states:
Just as a woman needs to feel a man’s devotion to her, a man has a
primary need to feel a woman’s admiration. To admire a man is to regard
him with wonder, delight, and approval. A man feels admired when his
unique characteristics and talents happily amaze her.80
A third curriculum depicts emotions as limiting girls’ ability to focus. It states:
“Generally, guys are able to focus better on one activity at a time and may not
connect feelings with actions. Girls access both sides of the brain at once, so they
often experience feelings and emotions as part of every situation.”81
2. Stereotypes that Girls Are Weak and Need Protection
Some of the curricula describe girls as helpless or dependent upon men.
In a discussion of wedding traditions, one curriculum writes: “Tell the class that
the Bride price is actually an honor to the bride. It says she is valuable to the
groom and he is willing to give something valuable for her.”82
The curriculum also teaches: “The father gives the bride to the groom because he
is the one man who has had the responsibility of protecting her throughout her
life. He is now giving his daughter to the only other man who will take over this
protective role.”83
One book in the “Choosing the Best” series presents a story about a knight who
saves a princess from a dragon. The next time the dragon arrives, the princess
advises the knight to kill the dragon with a noose, and the following time with
poison, both of which work but leave the knight feeling “ashamed.” The knight
eventually decides to marry a village maiden, but did so “only after making sure
she knew nothing about nooses or poison.” The curriculum concludes:
THE CONTENT OF FEDERALLY FUNDED ABSTINENCE-ONLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS
18
Moral of the story: Occasiona l suggestions and assistance may be alright,
but too much of it will lessen a man’s confidence or even turn him away
from his princess.84
3. Stereotypes that Reinforce Male Sexual Aggressiveness
One curriculum teaches that men are sexually aggressive and lack deep emotions.
In a chart of the top five women’s and men’s basic needs, the curriculum lists
“sexual fulfillment” and “physical attractiveness” as two of the top five “needs” in
the men’s section. “Affection,” “Conversation,” “Honesty and Openness,” and
“Family Commitment” are listed only as women’s needs.85 The curriculum
teaches: “A male is usually less discriminating about those to whom he is
sexually attracted. . . . Women usually have greater intuitive awareness of how to
develop a loving relationship.”86
The same curriculum tells participants: “While a man needs little or no
preparation for sex, a woman often needs hours of emotional and mental
preparation.”87

[fortyfeetunder]

1. Once again, females are doomed

Might as well put on an effing burqa.

There are numerous educational organizations like American Assocation of University Women, National Girls Collaborative, etc, whose mission is to encourage girls to pursue math and science careers. Shit like this only serves to undermine the work these organizations are doing.

This is a crock of crap.

The way I see it, abstinence educators can't develop a concrete reason why abstinence is beneficial so they have to make up lies and innuendo to make it appear credible.

[tigereye]

2. what a lot ot crap!

we are paying for this?