North Carolina - Keep Abstinence in NC Sex Education

North Carolina may be reversing its long-held standard of abstinence taught in school sex ed programs. But you can speak into the process and let your voice be heard!

If this proposed revision goes through, these new classroom standards will influence public school students for the next decade. 

We could use your help to raise concern. Don't be overwhelmed. This may look like a lot of steps, but it will take about 5 minutes. Time is running out. Let your voice be heard before January 14!

Here are the three easy steps on how you can submit a comment in favor of parental rights:

1. Click the button below to access the government site for comment.

2. Fill out your name and information. Complete the initial question by rating them 1-3 (1 being agree, 3 being disagree)

3. Under the section where it asks for comment, copy and paste the following:

Standard 7.ICHR.2 - The draft does not comply with N.C. law’s requirement that the curriculum teach that the only means of avoiding “other health and emotional problems” is through sexual abstinence until marriage.

Standard 7.ICHR3, Objective 7.ICHR.3.1 - In violation of the statute, there is no requirement that the instruction include rates of infection among pre-teens and teens of each known sexually transmitted disease and the effects of contracting each sexually transmitted disease.

Standard 7.ICHR.3, Objective 7.ICHR.3.2 - This language ignores N.C. law that requires that information about the use of contraceptives or prophylactics shall provide accurate statistical information on their effectiveness and failure rates for preventing pregnancy and STDs in actual use and must explain clearly the difference between risk reduction and risk elimination through abstinence.

Standard 8.ICHR.2, Objective 8.ICHR.2.2 - Neither the standard nor this objective requires that the instruction present reasons for remaining or becoming abstinent.  Furthermore, the language discusses “delay” not avoidance.  “Delay” in this standard is not defined as “sexual abstinence until marriage.”

Standard 8.ICHR.3, Objective 8.ICHR.3.2 - The objective fails to include the requirement that the information on failure rates of the contraceptives and information on the difference between risk reduction and risk avoidance as required by N.C. law.

Standard 8.ICHR.3, Objective 8.ICHR.3.3 - The objective does not define “delayed.” It should be defined as abstinence from sexual activity until marriage.  Furthermore, the objectives do not state the requirement in N.C. law that receipt of information about where to obtain contraceptives and abortion referral services must be in accordance with the local board’s policy regarding parental consent.

Standard 9.ICHR.1, Objective 9.ICHR.1.5 - The objective requires a discussion of consent and maintaining personal boundaries. Within the context of sexuality, teaching about consent is inconsistent with the statutory requirement of teaching sexual abstinence outside of marriage as an expected standard of behavior.  The purpose of the statute is to teach children how to avoid risk, not consent to it.

Standard 9.ICHR.2 - The standard fails to include the requirements of the statute that any instruction on contraceptives include failure rates for preventing STDs and pregnancy and the difference between risk reduction and risk elimination through abstinence.

Standard 9.ICHR.2, Objective 9.ICHR.2.1 - The draft language violates the statute in several ways:  The objective doesn’t require the teaching of sexual abstinence until marriage as an expected standard of behavior.  Rather, the objective treats abstinence as an option rather than an expectation. Furthermore, this language flies in the face of the statute that requires that the curriculum provide the reasons, skills and strategies for remaining abstinent or becoming abstinent, not strategies for engaging in sex.

Standard 9.ICHR.2, Objective 9.ICHR.2.4 - The draft requires that the curriculum identify local resources for STI screenings and sexual healthcare but ignores the statutory requirement that the information must be provided to students in compliance with the local board’s consent policy.

Standard 9.ICHR.2, Objective 9.ICHR2.5 - The draft requires that the curriculum explain the limitations of condoms in reducing the risk of STDs but fails to include the statutory requirement that any instruction on contraceptives include failure rates for preventing STDs among adolescents and the difference between risk reduction and risk elimination through abstinence.

Standard 9.ICHR.3, Objective 9.ICHR.3.3 - The objective requires the curriculum to identify trusted adults and professional resources to help those who have been sexually abused to heal physically, mentally and emotionally but does not include “parents” among the list of “trusted adults.” Nowhere in the entire draft of standards is the statutory requirement fulfilled that requires the curriculum to provide opportunities that allow for interaction between the parent or legal guardian and the student.

Thank you for taking action. Your voice is important! To find out more about North Carolina's state prayer group, click here.

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

NOTE: This alert is intended for citizens of the state listed. If you are not a resident of this state, you can pray for this issue (please do!), but you will not be able to send a message to the listed leaders.

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