Pittsburgh Parents Petition for Sex Ed

Two Pittsburgh Pennsylvania mothers have begun an online petition called Pittsburgh Public School Silencing Sexual Education to change sexual education programs in their city.

The petition is designed to force public schools in Pittsburgh into rebuilding the cities sexual education programs. The two 'sex-ed' petition creators feel that the current sexual education classes do not allow children and teens to make responsible and healthy decisions.

The book currently being used in many Pittsburgh sexual education classes is called 'Totally Awesome Health'. What is in the book does not cause as much objection, as does what is not in the book. The petitioners claim that only heterosexual couples are studied and only married families are discussed. This practice thereby challenges children who do not meet the programs standard of normal.

Abstinence is the center theme and most often the only theme in the Pittsburgh sexual education curriculum. The parents behind the petition say abstinence is accepted, but simply is not enough. Along with abstinence, they are calling for a wider spectrum, including discussions and education on contraceptives and sexual practices.

Parts of the sexual education petition states, "Our teens need sex education that helps them to delay sex, protect their health, and prepare them to make healthy and responsible life decisions.

"We further urge the Pittsburgh Public School Board to implement sex education curricula that stresses the importance of waiting to have sex while providing medically accurate, age-appropriate, information about how to use contraceptives effectively to prevent unintended pregnancy and STDs."