SAMPLE LETTER-TO-THE-EDITOR
SAMPLE LETTER-TO-THE-EDITOR | |
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January 5, 2005 The County Times Reporter Dear Editor: I applaud your editorial “Comprehensive Sexuality Education Is Vital” (1/1/2005). It succinctly demonstrates how the school district’s choice to support abstinence-only-until-marriage programs can be harmful to our community’s young people. I would like to add that the school board recently voted to continue to take a strict abstinence-only-until- marriage approach to sexuality education despite the complete lack of scientific evidence that such programs are effective. To date there is no research in a peer reviewed, scientific journal to support the assertion that abstinence-only-until-marriage programs help young people delay intercourse or prevent pregnancy and disease. In contrast, numerous sexuality education programs that include information on both abstinence and contraception have been found to be effective in helping teens delay sexual intercourse, reduce their number of partners, and increase contraception and condom use when they do become sexually active. This approach to sexuality education is supported by the major medical organizations including the American Public Health Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the Society for Adolescent Medicine. Nonetheless, our school board members are turning a blind eye to scientific research, the will of the public, and, most importantly, the health and well-being of our young people. Parents for Better Education in Anytown believes that our young people deserve better—they deserve open and honest education that provides potentially life-saving information about their sexual health. Sincerely, Ann Jones Ann Jones |
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