CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, SEPT. 12, 2007 ( Zenit.org).- After decades of comprehensive sex education in New Zealand's schools, a pro-life group is asking about the results.
In a statement released last week, Right to Life New Zealand notes that the country has the second highest rate of teen pregnancies among the 30 countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, an increasing rate of teenage abortions, and an escalating epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases.
The pro-life group's statement follows a recent Education Review Office (ERO) report on sex education.
It asks the ERO to show that the current program can reach the stated objectives of decreasing teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, and helping teens cope with coercive behavior.
Falsehood
Right to Life New Zealand says the current program cannot fulfill those objectives and experience proves it, and that the ERO review did not evaluate the effectiveness of the current educational program.
"'Safe sex' is a pernicious, false and dangerous lie," the pro-life group said. "Why does ERO continue to promote to our youth this immoral falsehood? The official line that 'safe sex' is effective is sending a message that is actually endangering the health of our young people."
All programs, the ERO review stated, should treat delaying sexual intercourse as a priority but should also focus on safe sexual practices. Right to Life, on the other hand, says the programs are a failure.
"The time has now come for ERO, the ministries of education, health and women's affairs, to stop promoting a culture of death with its false 'safe sex' message," the statement said. "Failed comprehensive sex education, as promoted by the ministries of education and family planning, should be withdrawn and replaced with successful abstinence-based programs that will result in a decline in teenage pregnancies, abortions and STDs [sexually transmitted diseases] and promote happy and healthy teenagers."
ZE07091206 - 2007-09-12