For about a week, sex education has been one hot topic in the Lansing area. It began last week when Alice Dreger, an author, college professor and activist, live tweeted from her son’s sex ed class at East Lansing High School. Among the quotes from the instructors, according to Dreger: “Safe sex is kind of a misnomer.” “You'll find a good girl. If you find one that says 'no,' that's the one you want." Dreger and many others on social media blasted the approach for being outdated, unconcerned with credible data and focused on fear and shame.Michigan schools that teach sex education are legally obligated to include a unit on abstinence, but what is the right way to go about it? What ought to be included in instruction on abstinence? What ought to be omitted?
Current State talks with Judy Kehler, a member of the Reproductive Health Advisory Committee in the East Lansing School District, and Wendy Sellers, who trains educators in reproductive health.