For Utah Policymakers and Parents: Summary of Comprehensive Sexuality Education

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1 For Utah Policymakers and Parents: Summary of Comprehensive Sexuality Education Updated February 20, 2016 Comprehensive sexuality education is endorsed around the globe as an international right that should be mandated by law. Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is presented under different names, i.e., human rights education, sexual abuse prevention, or life skills programs, but its core philosophies and content remain the same. Many leaders, legislators and school officials adopt CSE programs under the banner of healthy sex education before fully understanding what the CSE curriculum contains or the behaviors it promotes. As policymakers and parents considering legislation that calls for CSE in Utah schools, the following information may be helpful in making decisions for the future of Utah s children. Most CSE programs include the following elements: Promote sexual activity to children as a right Teach children to advocate for their sexual rights Teach children various ways to obtain sexual pleasure Promote condoms to children without informing them of their failure rates Teach children to masturbate Promote anal or oral sex to children or teach them these behaviors are safe Promote abortion as a right Denigrate the religious and cultural values of their parents or community Provide sexual counseling, information or services to minors without parental consent Examples of actual CSE curricula provided at the end of this summary Who Provides Comprehensive Sexuality Education Curriculum? One of the largest purveyors of comprehensive sexuality education programs in the world is International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). Planned Parenthood Federation of America is one of the largest IPPF member associations. A major way they further their stated goal of achieving sexual rights for youth is by implementing school programs that expose children and teenagers to graphic sexual materials and teach them that experiencing sexual pleasure is a human right to which they are entitled, and that pursuing sexual pleasure is necessary for their health and well-being: Young people... are entitled to sexual pleasure and how to experience different forms of sexual pleasure is important for their health. (See EXCLAIM! at IPPF.org)

2 What Does CSE Curriculum Promote? Here are some resources Planned Parenthood uses to educate children about sexuality: It s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health. This children s book contains graphic illustrations of both male and female children masturbating and encourages masturbation. The book shows illustrations of entirely nude men and women having sex, and of naked girls and boys in a variety of sexual situations. The G Spot Show. 1 This Planned Parenthood cartoon is hosted by two characters: one is an animated penis and the other, a vagina. In the episode, How Pregnancy Happens, the penis and vagina characters present a sex-ed lesson explaining the mechanics of fertilization and implantation. Throughout the episode the two characters engage in crass dialogue, joking about the many places people can have sex. The penis character gets repeatedly aroused, and the episode ends with him inviting the vagina over to his place. The INFO FOR TEENS section at says: The truth is that masturbation is a perfectly healthy activity at any age In fact, experts recommend that parents teach children that it's normal for people to touch their sex organs for pleasure. Sex is for ALL ages. Exclaim! Young people s guide to Sexual rights: an IPPF declaration 2 promotes sexuality at ALL stages of life stating: 1) There is a common misconception that young people are not, or should not be sexual beings with the exception of married young people or young people above a certain age. Sexuality is a central aspect of being human during all phases of each person s life. 2) Sexuality and sexual pleasure are important parts of being human for everyone-no matter what age, no matter if you re married or not and no matter if you want to have children or not. 3) Any limitation on sexual rights must be non-discriminatory, including on the grounds of age. What is Age Appropriate? Proposals for CSE school programs seek to reassure parents and policymakers by using the words age appropriate, medically accurate, evidence-based and parental involvement. The proposed Utah legislation follows this pattern. However, who decides what is age appropriate for school children at a given age? What sources are looked to as medically accurate and evidence based? How will parents be involved? In most states where CSE has been implemented, parent exclusion and introduction of explicit materials has been done gradually with new legislation expanding the scope of previous legislation including changing opt in policies to opt out and in some cases refusing to allow parents to opt their children out of CSE instruction, as in Massachusetts Exclaim! Young people s guide to Sexual rights: an IPPF declaration. London: IPPF. April

3 The sexual content IPPF and other entities consider age appropriate may surprise you. The International Guidelines on Sexuality Education 3 is intended to drive sex education programs taught to children in schools worldwide. The following are excerpts from the Learning Objectives in the Guidelines: Learning Objectives for Level I (ages 5-8) Girls and boys have private body parts that can feel pleasurable when touched by oneself. (p. 43) It is natural to explore and touch parts of one s own body. (p. 48) Bodies can feel good when touched. (p. 48) Touching and rubbing one s genitals is called masturbation. (p. 48) Masturbation is not harmful, but should be done in private. (p. 48) People receive messages about sex, gender, and sexuality from their cultures and religions. (p. 39) All people regardless of their health status, religion, origin, race or sexual status can raise a child and give it the love it deserves. (p. 51) Learning Objectives for Level II (ages 9-12) Relationship between excitement and vaginal lubrication, penile erection and ejaculation. (p. 44) Both men and women can give and receive sexual pleasure. (p. 43) Many boys and girls begin to masturbate during puberty. (p. 44) Steps for proper use of condoms. (p. 51) Definition and function of orgasm. (p. 49) Legal abortion performed under sterile conditions by medically trained personnel is safe. (p. 51) Learning Objectives for Level III (ages 12-15) Respect for the different sexual orientations and gender identity. (p. 48) Both men and women can give and receive sexual pleasure with a partner of the same or opposite sex. (p. 50) Everyone is responsible for their own and their partner s sexual pleasure and can learn to communicate their likes and dislikes. (p. 50) Access to safe abortion and post-abortion care. (p. 52) The size and shape of [genitals and other body parts] vary and do not affect reproduction or the ability to be a good sexual partner. (p. 46) 3

4 Definition and description of the physical changes and stages of male and female human sexual response including orgasm. (p. 50) Abstinence is mentioned as only one of a range of choices available to young people, and the Guidelines describe abstinence-only programs as fear-based (rather than evidence-based ) and designed to control young people s sexual behavior by instilling fear, shame, and guilt. Conclusion Comprehensive sexuality education is exactly what it claims to be: a comprehensive exploration of sexuality through explicit forms of pleasure-based curriculum. This curriculum often promotes a right to sexual gratification, masturbation, contraception, anal sex, oral sex, and abortion. CSE programs minimize parental views while emphasizing children s rights to make their own sexual choices and decide how much risk they are willing to take, free of judgements of any kind. Comprehensive sexuality education is a well-funded movement to impose a sexual ideology on the children of the world and now, the children of Utah. At its core, CSE is not about preventing disease as it often claims, but is a social movement to transform the sexual norms of society through school-aged children. Further Resources StopCSE.org - You will find a wealth of information on CSE here. VIDEO: Miriam Grossman speaking on CSE to parents in Ontario, Canada: International Planned Parenthood Federation & Children s Right to Sex, FWI Policy Brief Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Sexual Rights vs Sexual Health, FWI Policy Brief Website about CSE in Missouri; includes video resources Resources from Proponents of CSE Exclaim! by IPPF - presents children s right to sex as a human right SEICUS guidelines for teaching sexuality to youth (especially pp ) Healthy, Happy and Hot - IPPF s official resource on sex for HIV positive youth (Warning: graphic text) See examples of comprehensive sexuality education materials on following pages.

5 The Clear statements on this handout are offered as good examples of getting or giving sexual consent. This was used in ninth grade CSE classes at Acalanes High School in California.

6 Day 1, Planned Parenthood CSE instruction for Acalanes High School, California. Teaches students at what age they can receive sexual health services without parental consent, and where to find the nearest Planned Parenthood facility.

7 Handout distributed at Acalanes High School to help ninth grade students assess whether they are ready to have sex, and to help them become ready if they don t yet feel ready to have sex.

8 SEICUS Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Key Concepts and Topics (p. 18) Key Concept 1: Human Development Topic 1: Reproductive and Sexual Anatomy and Physiology Topic 2: Puberty Topic 3: Reproduction Topic 4: Body Image Topic 5: Sexual Orientation Topic 6: Gender Identity Key Concept 2: Relationships Topic 1: Families Topic 2: Friendship Topic 3: Love Topic 4: Romantic Relationships and Dating Topic 5: Marriage and Lifetime Commitments Topic 6: Raising Children Key Concept 3: Personal Skills Topic 1: Values Topic 2: Decision-making Topic 3: Communication Topic 4: Assertiveness Topic 5: Negotiation Topic 6: Looking for Help Key Concept 4: Sexual Behavior Topic 1: Sexuality Throughout Life Topic 2: Masturbation Topic 3: Shared Sexual Behavior Topic 4: Sexual Abstinence Topic 5: Human Sexual Response Topic 6: Sexual Fantasy Topic 7: Sexual Dysfunction Key Concept 5: Sexual Health Topic 1: Reproductive Health Topic 2: Contraception Topic 3: Pregnancy and Prenatal Care Topic 4: Abortion Topic 5: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Topic 6: HIV and AIDS Topic 7: Sexual Abuse, Assault, Violence, and Harassment Key Concept 6: Society and Culture Topic 1: Sexuality and Society Topic 2: Gender Roles Topic 3: Sexuality and the Law Topic 4: Sexuality and Religion Topic 5: Diversity Topic 6: Sexuality and the Media Topic 7: Sexuality and the Arts Excerpts from SEICUS Key Concepts and Topics Above Age 5-8 Both boys and girls have body parts that feel good when touched. Touching and rubbing one s own genitals to feel good is called masturbation. Some boys and girls masturbate and others do not. Each body part has a correct name and a specific function. A person s genitals, reproductive organs, and genes determine whether the person is male or female. A boy/man has nipples, a penis, a scrotum, and testicles. A girl/woman has breasts, nipples, a vulva, a clitoris, a vagina, a uterus, and ovaries. Vaginal intercourse when a penis is placed inside a vagina is the most common way for a sperm and egg to join.

9 Dating is when two people who are romantically attracted to each other spend their free time together. People often kiss, hug, touch, and engage in other sexual behaviors with one another to show caring and to feel good. Being sexual with another person usually involves more than sexual intercourse. Couples have varied ways to share sexual pleasure with each other. Age 9-12 During puberty, many people begin to develop sexual and romantic feelings. Contraception can prevent fertilization and/or pregnancy. Both teenagers and adults may have romantic relationships. Masturbation is often the first way a person experiences sexual pleasure. Many boys and girls begin to masturbate for sexual pleasure during puberty. Some boys and girls never masturbate. Masturbation does not cause physical or mental harm. Some families, religions, and cultures believe that masturbation is wrong. Age Some sexual and reproductive organs provide pleasure. The size and shape of sexual organs does not affect a person s ability to reproduce or experience sexual pleasure. Friendships sometimes evolve into romantic relationships. Values should be freely chosen after the alternatives and their consequences are evaluated. Being assertive in sexual situations may be especially difficult. All people, regardless of biological sex, gender, age, ability, and culture, are sexual beings. Sexuality is experienced in a variety of ways at different stages and points in people s lives. Sexual feelings, fantasies, and desires occur throughout life. Masturbation, either alone or with a partner, is one way people can enjoy and express their sexuality without risking pregnancy or an STD/HIV. Many negative myths exist about masturbation Some sexual behaviors shared by partners include kissing; touching; talking; caressing; massaging; and oral, vaginal, or anal intercourse Many pleasurable sexual behaviors do not put an individual at risk for an unintended pregnancy or STDs/HIV. Both men and women can give and receive sexual pleasure. Age Individuals may want to use a mirror to look closely at their external organs so they can note any changes that may indicate health problems. Reproductive functioning is different from sexual functioning. Some love relationships involve sexual intimacy while others do not. Dating can be a way to learn about other people, about romantic and sexual feelings and expressions, and about what it is like to be in an intimate relationship. Deciding not to be a parent may be difficult because of societal and cultural pressures to have and raise children. A person may accept his/her family s values and not always agree with all of them. People who feel strongly about their values often share and affirm them publicly.

Communication about sexual feelings, desires, and boundaries can improve sexual relationships. Communication is necessary to assure consent for a sexual relationship and any sexual behavior.

10 Communication about sexual feelings, desires, and boundaries can improve sexual relationships. Communication is necessary to assure consent for a sexual relationship and any sexual behavior. Sexuality is a natural part of being human. Sexuality is one component of total well-being to be expressed in harmony with other life needs. Healthy sexuality enhances total well-being. People who are single, married, or in a committed relationship may masturbate. Masturbation may be an important part of a couple s sexual relationship. Being sexual with another person does not mean that masturbation must or should stop. For many people, sharing a sexual experience with a partner is a satisfying way to express sexuality. Couples and individuals need to decide how to express their sexual feelings. Individuals can learn what gives them sexual pleasure and communicate that to partners in order to enhance their sexual relationships. People can have sexual fantasies about individuals of all genders without it necessarily affecting their understanding of their sexual orientation. Some people use erotic photographs, movies, art, literature, or the Internet to enhance their sexual fantasies when alone or with a partner See full document at: About SEICUS: The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to affirming that sexuality is a natural and healthy part of life. SIECUS develops, collects, and disseminates information, promotes comprehensive education about sexuality, and advocates the right of individuals to make responsible sexual choices. It is acknowledged as the institutional voice of these concerns and a pioneer of the comprehensive sex education program. The organization was founded in 1964 by Mary Calderone, medical director at Planned Parenthood, to challenge the American Social Hygiene Association's sex education program SIECUS is based in New York City with a public policy office in Washington, D.C. SIECUS funds and manages the Future of Sex Education project, whose National Sexuality Education Standards and National Teacher Preparation Standards influence policy-makers and educators alike. --From Document prepared by Family Watch International

Family Policy Brief The International Guidelines on Sexuality Education: Comprehensive Sexuality Education Defined

Family Policy Brief The International Guidelines on Sexuality Education: Comprehensive Sexuality Education Defined NOTE: Family Watch recently conducted a campaign at the UN to try to stop UNESCO from