By Angela E. Pometto
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 5/19/05)

"We as Catholics support education in sexuality that involves the parents/guardians, is age-appropriate, factual and upholds the dignity of the human person," said Gerri Laird, coordinator of education and training for the Office of Family Life. "In light of that position, we are obligated to oppose any education in sexuality that undermines parental authority and sends mixed messages to students."

Laird addressed the Fairfax County School Board May 12 on behalf of the Diocese of Arlington to promote a sex education program in favor of abstinence over contraception.

That night, the school board approved a revision of the 10th grade "Family Life Education" program. The new plan replaces a contraception video that has been in use for 18 years with two brochures about contraception.

The brochures selected for review were "Birth Control Facts" and "Birth Control Choices." The second brochure was changed to "Abstinence 101" after the board received many e-mails and phone calls from concerned parents. While this brochure made "substantial changes toward the better," it’s still not complete, said Laird.

Within the two brochures, abstinence is described as a "method of birth control." The first lists incorrect information about the capacity of certain contraceptives to cause an early abortion. The second brochure promotes premarital sex as the norm.

"Language in the proposed ‘Abstinence 101’ pamphlet suggests that abstinence is something that a teen practices until he/she feels ready for sexual intercourse,’" Laird told the board.

She argued that abstinence is always the best option for teens and not an "old-fashioned" moral. Abstinence until marriage should always be presented as the norm, Laird said, "yet the word ‘marriage’ does not even appear once in this brochure."

Premarital sex and contraception, she proposed, should be considered "risky behaviors" that have many harmful effects.

"Contraception should be presented in the context of how it is an abuse of the human person — how it hurts teens rather than as a back-up to failed self-control," she said. Abstinence, on the other hand, prevents teens from being used by others and protects their physical, emotional and spiritual health.

"Why is it that we expect abstinence and self-control from our children with regard to drug and alcohol use? Yet when addressing sexuality, our public educational system sells them short by assuming they will act on instinct, rather than as human persons who can think, love and choose," Laird argued.

At the meeting, Laird was one of 12 people who addressed the topic before the board voted. She was not the only one advocating for more abstinence-based education in schools.

Despite the board’s vote, dialogue continues. To accompany these brochures, the board plans to write a script for teachers to follow. While Laird is unsure whether or not any changes will be made, she believes it is helpful for parents to contact the school board with their concerns.

"There is a movement in a better direction, and I think we need to jump on that," Laird said, encouraging parents to remain informed about what their children are learning in school about family education and health.

"Stay in there and fight the battle, but fight it charitably," Laird said. Charity is a key point to keeping open dialogue about these sensitive issues. Sometimes, people feel isolated in these battles, but Laird offers the support of the Family Life Office as well as the diocese.

The Office of Family Life offers resources on this topic to concerned parents through their Web site (www.arlingtondiocese.org/offices/family). These documents include a teaching resource for parents and "A Vocation to Love: Guidelines for Catechesis in Human Sexuality in Parishes and Schools of the Arlington Diocese." The latter document was composed by the Offices of Family Life, Catechetics and Catholic Schools.

"We’re doing our part to support pastors and families in every county," said Laird, not just Fairfax County.