Palin shows need for full sex ed course

We now have our poster child for abstinence-only sex education. And the face (and growing belly) belong to none other than the daughter of the Republican Vice Presidental candidate, Sarah Palin.

While I respect Sen. Barack Obama's statement that Sarah Palin's family is her own business, Gov. Palin's public support for abstinence-only sex education deserves to be examined.

Do we need any stronger evidence that abstinence-only education is not effective? Gov. Sarah Palin is as staunch a supporter of abstinence-only education as they come and her own teenage unwed daughter becomes pregnant.

Lest someone think this is just an isolated incident, several states with "abstinence-only" policies also boast the highest rates of teen pregnancy (www.thenationalcampaign.org).

I would also be so impressed if Palin were to reverse her stance on this issue and admit her previous ignorance and naiveté. It would clearly be enlightening to hear her say that she now realizes that abstinence-only education is insufficient for our children.

Of course, an emphasis on abstinence is valuable but it must be taught within a comprehensive program that also teaches birth control.

Any parent who believes otherwise truly has their head in the sand.

Susan Pribyl

Ingleside