Letters to the Editor: Sex Ed linked to high pregnancy ranking?

Dear Editor:

According to recent Iowa statistics for 2010-2014 (http://www.eyesopeniowa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2016_Statewide_Bi...), we are number one of 40 Iowa counties (population size 10,000-20,000) for the highest teenage pregnancy rate, and number four for all counties. As a parent and physician, I’m very concerned.

Although the Red Oak Planned Parenthood clinic recently closed, they continue to pay their sex educators to go to our schools to teach our children sex education. In Montgomery County schools, sexual education is largely done by a Planned Parenthood sex educator.

Given the above statistics, I will let you draw your own conclusions whether or not their education methods have been successful.

I recently found out my school uses a curriculum called “Draw the Line, Respect the Line.” I was told it was a “good curriculum,” recommended by the state, and the educator was a “great teacher who connected well with the kids.” I decided to do my own research.

The only study done (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1448347/) on this curriculum, shows after the three-year curriculum boys were 8 percent less likely to have initiated intercourse. There was no change for girls. There was no evidence the curriculum improved condom usage.

Fortunately for Stanton, the school board will be discussing the sexual education curriculum at their next meeting, which is open to the public (Wednesday, April 20, at 5:30 p.m. in the high school). Please come and express your views to protect our future generations. 

For other school districts, I urge you to go find out what sexual education curriculum is taught and who is teaching. For a list of curriculums promoted by Planned Parenthood go to https://www.plannedparenthood.org/educators/resources or ETRs website (their affiliate) at http://www.etr.org/solutions/product-solutions. Most of these curriculums spend approximately 5 percent of their time addressing abstinence. For effective, evidence-based programs that spend approximately 50 percent of the time promoting abstinence, while still teaching about STDs, birth control, and condoms go to http://www.thenaea.org/resources/Authentic%20SRA%20Curriculum1.pdf. 

After more than 40 years in Montgomery County, Planned Parenthood has unfortunately made us number one. We need a positive change. Our children deserve better. Please protect your children and get Planned Parenthood out of our schools. Help make Montgomery County the best in Iowa.

Patricia Goodemote, MD

Stanton, Iowa