A: Well, Mr./Ms. Anonymous, though I have a strict "no relationship" rule, I CAN let you know in a totally non-objective way where the major candidates stand on issues of sex ed. And while I know that abortion is also an important subject, we're gonna keep it simple
Here we go!:
Sex Ed by Presidential Candidate:
Sen. Hilary Clinton (D): Strongly supports sex education. Voted to expand age-appropriate sex ed that is medically accurate. (Bill S.Amdt. 244 to S Con Res 18 ; vote number 2005-75 on Mar 17, 2005 ) Believes that sex ed should not be abstienence-only.
Sen. John Edwards (D): Strongly supports comprehensive age-appropriate sex ed that would cover both abstienence as well as other forms of birth control. Believes that science-based birth control methods should be taught.
Rudy Giuliani(R): the most evasive of the candidates. When mayor of NYC, supports comprehensive sex ed. and condoms in schools. since make a presidential bid, has not spoken on the issue. Also believes that abstienence should be taught in schools, but has not gon so f
ar as to state abstinence-only education is the way to go.
Sen. Mike Huckabee (R): Strongly opposes sex ed in schools. Opposes condoms in schools. Believes abstinence-only education. Believes that no sex ed should be in schools, rather the
parents should be teaching their kids abstinence-only. (note: I know I said i wouldn't do thi
s, but Huckabee refused to let the state help a 15 year old girl who was raped by her stepfather. He cited the bible as reference.)
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D): Strong advocate of sex ed in schools.Believes we need to reinstate more HIV/AIDS education in schools. Opposes abstinence-only education. Co-sponsor of the REAL (Responsible Education About Life Act), which promotes sex ed in schools, and also discusses abstinence as a birth control option.
Sen. John McCain (R): Strongly opposed to comprehensive sex
education. voted against bill that would expand medically accurate sex education (Bill S.Amdt. 244 to S Con Res 18 ; vote number 2005-75 on Ma
r 17, 2005 ) Voted for bill to provide funding for abstinence-only education. Bill S 1956 ; vote number 1996-231 on Jul 23, 1996
Sen. Barak Obama: Strongly supports sex education. Voted to expand age-appropriate sex ed that is medically accurate. (Bill S.Amdt. 244 to S Con Res 18 ; vote number 2005-75 on Mar 17, 2005 ) Believes that sex ed should not be abstinence-only. Took flack in 2007 for saying that age-appropriate sex education should begin as early as kindergarten.
Gov. Mitt Romney(R): . Supports sex education.Believes that sex education should be age-appropriate, factual, and medically accurate. Also supports abstinence-only education. As governor, his state recieved funding towards an abstinence-only campaign.
So that's our sex education roundup. Interested to know about our two lovely sides of the state line? check out my latest article in Present Magazine, due out this Friday!
