to sleep, perchance to dream

[kcobweb]

Just a note that I had the oddest dream last night - so very vivid and realistic. Basically, I was explaining the difference between abstinence-only and abstinence-based sexuality education to our &$*)^%#@ congressman, who was initially hostile, but then started nodding, and agreeing with me. Sadly, I woke up about the time his tone shifted, so I have no idea what my dream-self might have convinced him of next.

Comments

[cycon.livejournal.com]

Well then now that you've got the practice, would you explain it to me?

[kcobweb.livejournal.com]

Well, I didn't need this as additional practice, as this is my regular job. :)

But certainly.

(There are a lot of terms in the sexuality education field, and they are confusing and overlapping. I rarely use "abstinence-based" in RL (except in my dreams, apparently), because I don't think it's readily obvious to people what that means. And being deliberately confusing helps no one.)

Okay. I'm just stealing this from a handout we have here (because it's easier than making it up, and then I can just cut and paste):

Abstinence Only Education teaches abstinence as the only morally correct option of sexual expression for teenagers. It usually censors information about contraception and condoms for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy.

Abstinence Only – Until Marriage Education teaches abstinence as the only morally correct option of sexual expression for unmarried young people. These programs are often funded under the 1996 Welfare Reform Act and censor information about contraception and condoms for the prevention of STIs and unintended pregnancy.

Abstinence-Centered Education is another term normally used to mean abstinence only education.

Comprehensive Sexuality Education teaches about abstinence as the best method for avoiding STIs and unintended pregnancy, but also teaches about condoms and contraception to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy and of infection with STIs and viruses, including HIV. It also teaches interpersonal and communication skills, including decision-making skills. It also helps young people to explore their own values, goals, and options for their life-long reproductive health.

Abstinence-Based Education – Another term normally used to mean comprehensive sexuality education.

Abstinence-Plus Education – Another term normally used to mean comprehensive sexuality education.

Persuasion

[trope.livejournal.com]

Mrg! I don't suppose you ever have premonition dreams? It would be fabulous if you could actually convince your congressman that; I would personally send you a bouquet of flowers (after you told me where you lived). Good explanation, by the way. Do the folks in your area make a big distinction between abstinence-only and ATM education?

Re: Persuasion

[kcobweb.livejournal.com]

Montana. And there's fat chance of any actual convincing going on.... but I guess one never knows.

Do the folks in your area make a big distinction between abstinence-only and ATM education?

Not so much. Abstinence education is pretty big here, but I think a decent amount of it concentrates on until-you're-out-of-high-school. There are some marriage-pushers, but they aren't too vocal in this part of the state. We have no sex ed mandate here, so policy and curricula are determined by each individual school district. (Montanans value their independence rather hightly, and don't like others telling them what to do, even our own state government.)