She knows fashion. She knows New York. She knows everything about sex.
She probably didn't go to school in New York City.
It sounds crazy - it IS crazy - but New York City public schools don't require sex education...at all.
With the rate of teenage pregnancies rising and the startling news that 1 in 4 teenage girls has a sexually transmitted disease, its clear that New York City schools are failing our students.
We can't wait any longer.
We love smart shows like Sex and the City, but Carrie Bradshaw's column is no substitute for a teacher with the facts.
What happens when we don't teach the facts? Teens ask each other. Here's a few statements some New York teens actually believed about how to have sex without getting pregnant:
- "Jump up and down after having sex." <-- Doesn't work.
- "Take a bath in Epsom Salt." <-- Doesn't work.
- "Drink a Tropical Fantasy (a Brooklyn-based soda) or hot Malta (a carbonated malt beverage)." <-- Doesn't work.
Bad information like this is dangerous, and New York City schools have the power to fight it. Tell them to teach sex ed in public schools:
We love Sex and the City, and we can't wait for the movie to come out. But in the real world, the City has a lot to learn about Sex. We really can't wait for that either.
Full Petition Text:
In a time when 1 in 4 young American women is infected with an STD, I find it shocking and unacceptable that New York City's educational system does not ensure that all our students receive the information they need to make safe and informed sexual decisions.
For this reason I am asking that you ensure:
Sex ed for every grade taught every year in every public school;
Sex ed that is age-appropriate for the students;
Sex ed that is medically accurate and based on facts;
Sex ed that is culturally competent;
Sex ed that is inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth;
Sex ed that includes information about abstinence, contraception and HIV and STD prevention;
Sex ed that is taught by well-trained teachers;
Sex ed that includes the entire school community (i.e., students, teachers, administrators, parents and caregivers, and the other important stakeholders of the individual school community);
Sex ed that includes linkages with health care centers and providers;
Sex ed that empowers New York City youth to make informed decisions to build healthy futures.
Comprehensive sex ed should be taught in every grade, in every school and every year. Together, we can ensure that our children receive a complete education.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]
