Religious Groups And Youth Advocates Decry Mandatory Sex Ed Programs
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As the city introduces a new mandatory sex education policy, some groups say one approach is being left out.
Religious organizations and youth advocates said Tuesday that public schools must include "abstinence only" programs in the new curriculum.
They argue that parents should have more input and that they should be able to take their kids out of all sex education programs, not just certain classes.
They add the only way to prevent STDs and unintended pregnancies is through abstinence.
"We believe that we do our young people a disservice when we teach them how to reduce their risk when we should be teaching them how to avoid it,” said Greg Pfundstein of the Chiaroscuro Foundation.
In a statement, officials from the Department of Education said they have a responsibility to ensure teenagers who are choosing to have sex understand the potential consequences and know how to keep themselves safe.