SRA Update
by Sharyll Martin, SRA Director
Let's Think About It
“This made me think of the choices I've made and how bad they are, and I regret it, I really do."
~ Selma Middle School Student
“This really helped me understand all the effects of being sexually active at a young age. I honestly thought I would be sexually active, but this course has helped me realize it's not worth the risk."
~Delta High School Student
The first comment above speaks to the unfortunate consequence of wishing you had known better before doing something you can't take back. The second statement is reflective of our goal for every student receiving abstinence-only education in our schools. Both comments demonstrate that the curriculum is encouraging young people to think about it.
2018 Fall Semester
We provided abstinence-only education to 1,936 students last fall. We ask students to answer several questions at the end of the course, including “will you choose abstinence, secondary abstinence or sexual activity” going forward. On average, 88% chose to be abstinence.
There are two basic types of sex education, one commonly called comprehensive sex education and the other, abstinence-until-marriage education. Outlined below are the major points of each type.
Comprehensive Sex Education
Sexual behavior is a human right.
Reducing risk is the goal.
Sex education begins in kindergarten.
Sex education includes contraception instruction.
Abortion is a choice and an alternative to pregnancy.
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual and questioning life-styles are embraced.
All forms of sexual activity are accepted.
Pornography is an activity that some people enjoy.
Individuals should feel free to discover who they are as sexual human beings by experimentation.
Belief systems excluding tolerance are not acceptable.
Parents are not necessary in the sex education process.
Abstinence-Until-Marriage Education
Sexual abstinence until marriage eliminates health risks.
Children can achieve their goals and dreams without the distraction of consequences from sexual activity.
Learning to develop friendships without physical intimacy is essential to healthy marriages.
Multiple sexual partners can be dangerous to one's physical, emotional, mental and social health.
Pornography is dangerous to the individual and society.
Religious beliefs and heritage surrounding sexuality should be embraced.
Parents are the primary sex educators of their children and are an essential part of abstinence-until-marriage education.
Respect is foundational for healthy relationships. Healthy relationships are a reflection of healthy people. The Creating Positive Relationships (CPR) curriculum used by First Choice, is an abstinence-until-marriage program that teaches the importance of respecting ones self and others. CPR promotes the fact that people can create and maintain positive relationships without sexual intimacy until they are married. First Choice discusses every bullet point in the abstinence-until-marriage section during our week long presentations.
Please pray for our instructors and the youth we will be talking to this semester. We appreciate you!
