NATIONAL OPPONENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY
NATIONAL OPPONENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY | |
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Opponents of comprehensive sexuality education take many forms—from large, nonprofit organizations with the broad mission of promoting conservative values to smaller organizations formed around a mission of promoting abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. Over the past few years the abstinence-only-until-marriage message and its supporters have received a great deal of attention from both the media and policymakers. In that time, existing organizations have become more visible and new organizations have formed. This fact sheet contains a list of diverse national organizations that oppose comprehensive sexuality education. It is designed to provide a brief overview of each organizations’ mission and position on sexuality education, as well as the relevant resources each produces. All quotations are from the organizations’ own published materials or websites. This list is not exhaustive, and there are many more state and local organizations with similar missions. For more information on these organizations and an extensive list of additional organizations that oppose comprehensive sexuality education, please visit the policy section of SIECUS’ website at http://www.siecus.org/policy/. ABSTINENCE CLEARINGHOUSE801 E. 41st Street Abstinence Clearinghouse DC Office Mission Statement “To promote the appreciation for and practice of sexual abstinence (purity) until marriage
through the distribution of age appropriate, factual, and medically-referenced materials.”1 Key People Leslee J. Unruh, Founder and President History “The Abstinence Clearinghouse officially became operational in 1997. It was formed to provide a central location where materials and training to effectively convey the abstinence-until-marriage message could be provided.”3 Sexuality Education Position “Abstinence-until-marriage is much more than ‘just say no.’ It is reality-relationship education. Building healthy relationships is key to the overall message of abstinence until marriage. Unhealthy relationships have medical and emotional consequences. Understanding relationships and how to build them (developing true intimacy) is key to character issues of respect, honor and commitment. Understanding sexual progression is also necessary in order to establish boundaries in relationships. Abstinence-untilmarriage education teaches the elements and skills needed in a healthy marriage.”4 Sexuality Education Resources & Activities The Abstinence Clearinghouse produces numerous videos, cd’s, books, and brochures on sexual health and abstinence including Abstinence Clearinghouse Directory of Abstinence Resources and Abstinence Survival Kit (ASK!). In addition, “the Clearinghouse also houses the only Sex, Love and Relationship Store in the country, where posters, books, jewelry, pencils and numerous other items are available for purchase.”5 Additional Information President Leslee Unruh is also the President and Founder of the Alpha Center, a crisis pregnancy center, which was housed at the same location as the Abstinence Clearinghouse. The Alpha Center provides abstinence programs (including Lady in Waiting and The Bride Wore White) to churches and schools, pregnancy testing, postabortion counseling, parenting classes, a speakers bureau, medical agency referrals, relationship counseling, a resource library, and sponsors events such as God, Mom & Me Teas, and the Memorial for the Unborn. AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATIONP.O. Drawer 2440 Mission Statement “The American Family Association exists to motivate and equip citizens to change the culture to reflect Biblical truth.”6 Key People Donald Wildmon, Founder and Chairman Tim Wildmon, President History Founded as the National Federation for Decency in 1977, it became the American Family Association in 1988. Sexuality Education Position “Parents, we cannot afford to misjudge sin’s potential. Training should begin early. Boys must be taught to care for their eyes and mind. Girls must understand how easily they can become the object of pursuit—and that by lowering their standards and raising their skirts, they only fuel the imagination and drive of the opposite sex.”7 Sexuality Education Resources & Activities The American Family Association publishes numerous articles, action alerts, and news summaries including the Agape Press News Summaries which are distributed daily via a listserv. These resources often focus on sexuality education. Some examples include the online article “My Adventures in Wonderland” and the “Action Alert: Pornography Awareness Week 2001: Series One: It’s About Sex.” CITIZENS FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATIONP.O. Box 3200 Mission Statement “Citizens For Excellence in Education (CEE) exists to help parents and public school teachers across the United States. Since 1983, National Association of Christian Educators (NACE) /CEE has worked with Christians and conservatives to restore academic excellence and traditional moral values to the public schools. We also provide tools to help strengthen and nurture Christian families at home. CEE is now also helping parents rescue their children from public schools to private Christian schools and home schools, and rescue their children within the public schools, with our major new focus: Rescue 2010.”8 Key People Dr. Robert Simonds, President and Founder History Founded in 1983 as a division of the National Association of Christian Educators. Sexuality Education Position “Public school teens and even pre-teens face tremendous peer pressure to become sexually active. The schools teach, ‘just be sure to use condoms and be on the pill.’ Result: Christian children face a double standard, with heavy peer pressure, many succumb, with tragic pregnancies, babies, lives and careers ruined. Enormous family pain results, often causing divorce.”9 “Parents find they have far less control over their child’s friends and peers and the resulting influence on their child’s attitude toward sin, homosexuality, the occult, sex and drugs in the public schools.”10 Sexuality Education Resources and Activities CEE describes the help they offer parents as follows, this assistance often focuses on sexuality education. “Helping individuals resolve local public school issues - ranging from opt-out policies for sex ed, to outcome-based education and Goals 2000. Helping parents form local ‘chapters‘ with other concerned citizens to make positive policy and curricula changes, help elect good conservative school board members, and build consensus with school officials. Networking with education leaders and leading bureaucrats, as well as other Christian organizations, at the national level, to affect laws and build bridges of understanding. Providing resources for churches and individual families, from an evangelical perspective. Publishing well-balanced, objective resources to help both parents and professionals understand issues and research, from a conservative worldview. Parent Participation Plan for public schools. Putting on an Education Decision Day in your church to help parents make wise and informed schooling choices. Helping Parents make informed decision between public, Christian and home school and make their desired choice happen.”11 CONCERNED WOMEN FOR AMERICA1015 15th Street NW, Suite 1100 Mission Statement “The mission of CWA is to protect and promote Biblical values among all citizens— first through prayer, then education, and finally by influencing our society—thereby reversing the decline in moral values in our nation.”12 Key People
Beverly LaHaye, Founder and Chairman History Founded in 1979 by Beverly LaHaye. Sexuality Education Position “We need to return to the time tested and honored principles of teaching virtue, selfrespect, self-control, responsibility, commitment, love, and marriage. By teaching our teenagers to say no to sex outside of marriage, we are giving them a chance to say yes to their goals and dreams. Concerned Women for America is committed to helping see those dreams become realities.”13 “Modern sex education curricula have already been proven misguided and inadequate. How much more disease, death and social disintegration do we have to encounter before we return to time-honored and tested principles? It’s time for the message of sexual purity to be sounded in the United States once again. Concerned Women for America is calling upon all legislators, parents, and educators to promote abstinence throughout this nation.”14 Sexuality Education Resources & Activities Concerned Women for America produces numerous fax alerts, e-mail newsletters, and articles, as well as the radio shows “Beverly LaHaye Today” and “This Week with Beverly LaHaye.”(http://www.cwfa.org/library/_familyvoice/) These resources often focus on sexuality education and related topics. The following is a list of selected publications and resources. On-line Articles
Additional Information CWA opened the Beverly LaHaye Institute: A Center for Studies in Women’s Issues. “BLI, the research arm of Concerned Women for America, was established in May 1999 in recognition of the need for an organization solely devoted to conducting quality research on women’s issues from a conservative, faith-based perspective.”15 EAGLE FORUMWashington D.C. Office Operations Center Mission Statement “Eagle Forum’s Mission is to enable conservative and pro-family men and women to participate in the process of self-government and public policy making so that America will continue to be a land of individual liberty, respect for family integrity, public and private virtue, and private enterprise.“16 Key People Phyllis Schlafly, President History Founded in 1972 by Phyllis Schlafly. Sexuality Education Position “We oppose and deplore the dumbing down of the academic curriculum through fads such as Outcome-Based Education and self-esteem courses, and we oppose liberal propaganda in the curriculum through global education and Political Correctness. We support parents’ rights to guide the education of their own children, to protect their children against immoral instruction and materials, and to home-school without oppressive government regulation. We oppose federal control of the public school classroom through Goals 2000, School-to-Work, national tests, or national standards. Eagle Forum was a primary factor in passing the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, and we strongly support its enforcement to protect children against psychological testing without parental consent….”17 Sexuality Education Activities/ Resources The Eagle Forum produces a number of regular publications including the Education Reporter, the Phyllis Schlafly Report, the Phyllis Schlafly Column, Eagle Forum Capital Alert, and Eagle Forum Court Watch, as well as the “Phyllis Schlafly Live Radio Show.” These resources often focus on sexuality education. Eagle Forum also produces publications specific to sexuality education such as A Student’s Guide To Nosy Questions That Your School Should Not Ask You. The following is a list of selected articles that discuss sexuality education and related topics. On-line Articles
Additional Information Eagle Forum also has local chapters that have historically participated in school board elections and sexuality education controversies. FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCILWashington DC Office Holland, MI Mission Statement “The Family Research Council (FRC) champions marriage and family as the foundation of civilization, the seedbed of virtue, and the wellspring of society. FRC shapes public debate and formulates public policy that values human life and upholds the institutions of marriage and the family. Believing that God is the author of life, liberty, and the family, FRC promotes the Judeo-Christian worldview as the basis for a just, free, and stable society.”18 Key People Tony Perkins, President History “The idea of the Family Research Council originated at the 1980 White House Conference on Families. Among the conferees, James Dobson stood out because of his rare combination of Christian social values and academic and professional credentials.... In 1983, the Family Research Council incorporated as a nonprofit educational institution in the District of Columbia; its founding board included Dobson and two noted psychiatrists, Armand Nicholoi Jr. of Harvard University and George Rekers of the University of South Carolina.”19 Past presidents have included Gerry Regier, Gary Bauer, and Ken Connor. Sexuality Education Position “Teens are greatly influenced by the messages they receive about sex in school. Unfortunately, the majority of schools teach ‘safe sex’—-‘comprehensive’ or so-called ‘abstinence plus’ programs—believing that it’s best for kids to have all the information they need about sexuality and to make their own decisions about sex. Abstinence is downplayed while sexual activity and condom use are encouraged in these curriculums, because it’s assumed that children are eventually going to have sex.”20 Sexuality Education Resources & Activities The Family Research Council Produces numerous regular publications such as newsletters, books, and pamphlets, including Ed Facts, Culture Facts, Family Policy, Washington Watch, Insight, InFocus, Pocket Policy, and I.E. Teens Webzine. Many of these publications often focus on sexuality education. In addition the organization produces some publications devoted to sexuality education. The following is a selected list of such publications.
On-line Articles
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY8685 Explorer Drive Mission Statement “To cooperate with the Holy Spirit in disseminating the Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible, and, specifically, to accomplish that objective by helping to preserve traditional values and the institution of the family.”21 Key People James C. Dobson, Ph.D., Founder and Chairman History “Focus on the Family began in 1977 in response to Dr. James Dobson’s increasing concern for the American family.... From a two-room suite in Arcadia, Calif., Dr. Dobson began with radio—a 25-minute weekly program heard on only a few dozen stations. Focus on the Family has since become an international organization with more than 74 different ministries requiring nearly 1,300 employees.”22 Sexuality Education Position “’Be fruitful and multiply.’ If sex were not enjoyable our species probably would not have fruitfully multiplied. Sex is a powerful drive, and for most of human history it was firmly linked to marriage and childbearing. Only relatively recently has the act of sex commonly been divorced from marriage and procreation. Modern contraceptive inventions have given many an exaggerated sense of safety and prompted more people than ever before to move sexual expression outside the marriage boundary. When adhered to strictly, marital fidelity has always protected individuals and society. This site is dedicated to calling society back to the sure and safe boundary of abstinence until and faithfulness within marriage.”23 “For most of the past several decades, liberal sex-education organizations such as Planned Parenthood and Sexuality Information and Education Council for the United States (SIECUS) have had a philosophical monopoly in public school sex-education programs. With the implementation of Title V of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, these groups saw an end to their monopoly. Title V allocated $250 million ($50 million per year for five years) for states to teach abstinence until marriage. SIECUS and friends have not been happy about Title V.”24 Sexuality Education Resources & Activities Focus on the Family produces a wide variety of radio and television programs, books, videos, magazines (including Focus on the Family with Dr. James Dobson, Brio, Brio and Beyond, and many others), newsletters (including Family News from Dr. James Dobson), and e-mail action alerts. Over the past ten years, Focus on the Family has created a wealth of resources on sexuality education, including articles, reports, videos, and a curricula. The following is a select list of some of these resources: Publications
Articles
Audio Tapes
Videos
Curriculum
Booklets
Additional Information Focus on the Family also runs the Physicians Resource Council, “a group of physicians from the United States and Canada with diverse medical specialties that volunteer in order to provide expert counsel on medical issues that impact the family and the Christian community.”25 HERITAGE FOUNDATION214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Mission Statement “Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute— a think tank—whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.”26 Key People Edwin J. Feulner, President History The Heritage Foundation was founded in 1973 “…to move national public policy in a conservative direction, primarily by working with Congress and its staff.”27 Sexuality Education Position “With millions of dollars in sex-education programs at stake, it is not surprising that the groups that have previously dominated the arena have taken action to block the growing movement to abstinence-only education. Such organizations, including the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS), Planned Parenthood, and the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL), have been prime supporters of ‘safe-sex’ programs for youth, which entail guidance on the use of condoms and other means of contraception while giving a condescending nod to abstinence. Clearly, the caveat that says ‘and if you do engage in sex, this is how you should do it’ substantially weakens an admonition against early non-marital sexual activity.”28 “Real abstinence education is essential to reducing out-of-wedlock childbearing, preventing sexually transmitted diseases, and improving emotional and physical wellbeing among the nation’s youth. True abstinence education programs help young people to develop an understanding of commitment, fidelity, and intimacy that will serve them well as the foundations of healthy marital life in the future.”29 Sexuality Education Activities/ Resources The Heritage Foundation produces numerous publications, articles, lectures, conferences, and meetings on a variety of topics, including sexuality and abstinence, welfare reform, marriage and illegitimacy, tax reform, social security, foreign policy, school vouchers, and public education. The following is a select list of publications on issues related to sexuality. On-line Articles
Reports
MEDICAL INSTITUTE (MEDICAL INSTITUTE FOR SEXUAL HEALTH)P.O. Box 162306 Mission Statement “The Medical Institute has a vision of health, hope and happiness for America and the world—one based on science, built on character and bridged through education.”30 “The Medical Institute seeks to improve lives by enabling individuals to make informed, responsible decisions regarding sexual behavior and its effects on their health and well being. We are uniquely positioned to affect change because of our national leadership, our commitment to propagating accurate medical data, our record of consensus building and our longevity.”31 Key People Joe S. McIlhaney, Jr., MD, Founder and President History “The Medical Institute for Sexual Health is a nonprofit and nonpartisan educational organization founded in 1992 by obstetrician/gynecologist, Joe S. McIlhaney, Jr., MD to confront the global epidemics of nonmarital pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease with incisive health care data.”32 Sexuality Education Position “Postponing sexual activity until marriage with an uninfected mate is the only way for teens and single adults to be 100 percent confident of avoiding STD infection and nonmarital pregnancy. Most adolescents can postpone sexual activity (become or remain abstinent) if properly instructed and encouraged. Delaying sex until marriage is the only advice supported by medical research that offers adequate protection from STDs and nonmarital pregnancy. . . True abstinence includes avoiding genital contact until marriage. Some have proposed mutual masturbation and ‘outercourse’ as healthy and safe alternatives for single people. These activities are not consistent with the abstinent lifestyle. Sexual activity, such as these, can not only result in both pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease, but can also lead to sexual intercourse.”33 Sexuality Education Resources & Activities The Medical Institute for Sexual Health creates and distributes a number of publications and resources including brochures, videos, posters, and public service announcements all of which are related to sexuality education. The following is a list of selected publications.
Additional Information “Dr. McIlhaney currently serves on the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) and on the Advisory Committee to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”34 References
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