Palin Opposed Sex Education, Kind Of
When asked about her specific views on family issues in a questionnaire, Governor Sarah Palin made clear she opposes sex-ed programs that distribute contraceptives in schools.
Her answer to the question “will you support funding for abstinence-until-marriage education instead of for explicit sex-education programs, school-based clinics, and the distribution of contraceptives in schools?” is potentially controversial to progressives and to some moderate, independent voters, while it will be celebrated by social conservatives.
The answer was short and to the point: “Yes, explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support.”
In the coming days and weeks we will see what the average American thinks of Palin’s answer(s). For now, though, the issue is pushed by progressives believing it will hurt her with mainstream Americans.
Others, believing that the average American too opposes handing out contraceptives to schoolchildren, hope that progressives will indeed push the issue, for they think it will be beneficial to both Palin and John McCain, the Republican nominee for president.
Although a hardcore pro-life and pro-family values record may hurt a politician among some, it seems quite reasonable to assume that the average parent is not too happy with a school that hands out contraceptives to his or her little girl and tells her she can have safe sex. Even progressive or moderate parents may not appreciate such a program; if they want their child to have contraceptives they can give it to her (or him).
The same can be said about another question Palin was willing to answer; about abortion. When asked whether she favors legalizing abortion, in what cases, she answered that she believes abortion should only be legal when the life of the mother is in danger.
“I am pro-life. With the exception of a doctor’s determination that the mother’s life would end if the pregnancy continued. I believe that no matter what mistakes we make as a society, we cannot condone ending an innocent’s life,” Palin said in the questionnaire.
Last year Palin also made her views known by criticizing the decision of an Alaskan court overturning the state’s law mandating parental consent for minors to have abortions. Palin suggested parental consent be instituted by constitutional amendment to make sure that parents of an pregnant underaged girl give permission for an abortion.
These answers will undoubtedly anger progressives and encourage them to make this a major issue. They will, believing the average American to share their views on these subjects, push it to the forefront for weeks.
Conservatives, on the other hand, will have no problem with that, providing the views of Palin are represented honestly; they share Palin’s views and are happy that the Republican Party has a Vice Presidential candidate who is willing to defend them. They also often believe John Doe thinks like they do.
Or, if not, they believe they have to convince John Doe they are right, which means the issue has to be debated; being silent about it, they argue, will not change anything.
And so Palin proves a controversial choice. The right will love her for her political views while the left despises her and more than willing to attack her over anything they deem unjust. The coming months will show whether McCain’s choice was wise or not; whether Palin helps or hurts him with the mainstream public.
It seems to me that the attacks on Palin have been a lot more vicious than the attacks on any of the other candidates in this election.
Presumably Bristol Palin went to a state school and had whatever sex education that they provided there. It is disturbing that the left are trying to turn a teenage girl’s pregnancy into the biggest issue of this campaign.
Gotta love those Democratic values as exemplified by Sam’s comment above.
So, it looks like Palin is really for the abstience only form of education that even moderate conservatives don’t like. If people look at this I’m not sure it’s a winner for Conservatives
In an August 18, 2006 Associated Press article on the day after the 2006 Alaska gubernatorial debate, Matt Volz of AP wrote that Palin does "not oppose teaching contraception in school although teaching abstinence is also important."
Between this answer and the questionnaire response it appears Gov. Palin perhaps staked out a deliberate non-position position of neither supporting nor opposing the issue. Which would be consistent with many state and federal officials who feel the topic is properly left to individual school districts.
hmmm, Bart, it could also be the phrasing of the question. "explicit sex-education programs" sounds bad to a certain sensibility, but could be things ranging from teaching what the anatomy looks like, to showing pictures of STDs, to showing people how to put on a condom. The nuiance of this is unfortunately blown away by her answer.
The shortness of her answer might show that she’s more knee-jerk than deep thinker, or maybe it was targeted to score points with a particular group, or maybe it is what she really thinks. We can’t be sure yet, but I’m sure this topic will get brought up many many times.
I don’t ever remember being given contraceptives to take home when I took sex ed. And am I bluer than blue Connecticut.
Bristol went to Wasilla High, a public school and the father is/was on the hockey team there. Sex ed is mandatory in public schools in Alaska. I believe the curriculum for sex ed is left up to each school.