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U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• U.S. News
Most North Carolina Schools Focus on Abstinence in Sex Education CoursesAugust 11, 2003 This article is part of TheBody.com's archive. Because it contains information that may no longer be accurate, this article should only be considered a historical document. All but about a dozen North Carolina school districts limit
sex education to a focus on preventing STDs through abstinence,
state education officials recently said. In districts where
parents request expanded instruction, a 1995 state law allows
condom demonstrations and more in-depth discussion of STDs and
birth control. "There are only about 12 school systems that have
held public hearings and expanded their programs in the state,"
said Sherry Lehman of the state Department of Public Instruction.
More than 100 districts statewide offer health education courses that discuss puberty and STDs and present abstinence until marriage as the best way to avoid disease. Condoms and birth control methods are discussed only in describing their rates of effectiveness, Gaston County Health Instruction Coordinator Alice Ray said. In New Hanover County, the community supports an expanded program. Beginning in fifth grade, boys and girls are separated and taught about puberty, reproductive systems and personal safety. In middle school, parents are given a choice between abstinence-only and expanded sex education programs. The abstinence curriculum focuses on friendships, strong families, puberty and safety. The expanded program also offers information on birth control and condoms. Local health officials have urged Gaston County schools to offer more information about birth control and disease prevention. "They show you pictures of stuff and they show you a video of a woman having a baby," said Marcus Filchuk, a student at Belmont Middle School. "They don't really say a whole lot about it, except 'This is a woman having a baby.'" Marcus' dad, Bob Filchuk, said it should be a parent's job to teach children about sex. "Abstinence is what they ought to preach," he said. Back to other news for August 11, 2003 This article is part of TheBody.com's archive. Because it contains information that may no longer be accurate, this article should only be considered a historical document. Associated Press 08.10.03 This article was provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is a part of the publication CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update.
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