Abstinence-plus

To the editor:

I am writing to encourage the Kansas State Board of Education NOT to mandate nine weeks of abstinence-only sex education. Although abstinence is the best choice, statistics prove that students do not abstain from sexual activity. Given this reality, abstinence-only education is dangerous and puts our kids at risk for unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

Kansas youths deserve effective sex education. Abstinence-only education is both naive and irresponsible. Do the right thing by requiring an abstinence-plus curriculum that has been proven to help kids make healthier choices.

Erin Finzer,

Lawrence