Putting Sexuality Education in a Larger Framework
Hurray for Bill Sinkford! In the fall issue of the UUWorld, the Unitarian Universalist Association’s president calls on our denomination to step up our promotion of comprehensive sexuality education. Rev. Sinkford writes:
“We all come into this world as expressions of the great creative force that shapes the universe, the force that many call God. Theologically, UUs see sexuality as one of God’s greatest gifts. We express our sexuality best when we’re ethically and morally grounded, so responsible sexuality education is about much more than just biology and rules: It is about values, including self-worth, sexual health, responsibility, justice and inclusivity, and communication.”
Using these shared values as a jumping-off point, UU’s should also consider comprehensive sexuality education as part of the larger array of teen sexuality issues. Teenage women’s access to reproductive health care (including abortion, emergency contraception, and birth control) has long been under attack. The conservative pro-life movement has gone after the rights of those who are most vulnerable: teenagers and children. Youth under the age of 18 are often seen as politically impotent (because they are not able to vote), and incapable of making responsible choices. As long as teenagers are framed in this way, there will be ample opposition to comprehensive sexuality education, reproductive rights for teenagers, and basic health measures such as the HPV vaccine. We as Unitarian Universalists have the opportunity to present a more accurate view of youth: as caring, capable, responsible and politically organized!