| Going back to 1980 to write The Sex Ed Chronicles | | | | Schmitz became the presidential candidate of the |
| required me to return to the 60's and 70's to get the | | | | American Independent Party, attracting over a million |
| political setting just right. Until I started my research, | | | | votes. |
| I did not know that sex education had been | | | | Aside from linkages to Communism and liberal |
| considered part of a 'Communist plot.' | | | | ideology, opposing arguments against sex education |
| In 1960, John Birch Society president Robert Welch | | | | were similar to today: classes are too explicit or |
| urged parents to join their local Parent-Teacher | | | | specific; they are taught too early; or, abstinence |
| Associations and take them over. According to a | | | | should be stressed over contraception. |
| Time magazine reporter in 1969, Welch had "decided | | | | However, during the 60's, the organized opposition |
| that sex education was a 'Communist plot' akin to | | | | was also linked to causes that had become, or were |
| community fluoridation plans." | | | | about to become unpopular. Parents could be |
| As part of my research, I read a National Education | | | | opposed to sex education, but also opposed to, as |
| Association (NEA) manual, published in 1970, advising | | | | examples, anti-Semitism, anti-Catholicism or the |
| state and local teacher's unions on how to confront | | | | Vietnam War. As a result, single-issue groups strictly |
| extremists opposed to sex education in the public | | | | opposed to sex education were more effective than |
| schools. The manual referred to a documentary | | | | broad coalitions. |
| supported by the Society called 'The Innocents | | | | Today's opposition to sex education is more |
| Defiled' which put sex education instructors in an | | | | sophisticated; conservative Republicans have done a |
| unflattering light, saying that they were spreading | | | | much better job of being more inclusive and grass |
| "moral depravity" and that they were "bent on the | | | | roots; they are embarrassed when they are seen on |
| corruption of America's youth, with the ultimate aim | | | | the side of any organized group that preaches |
| of overthrowing the United States." | | | | segregation or discrimination, or shown as hypocrites |
| The John Birch Society also formed a front group | | | | when they take moral actions contrary to their |
| called the Movement to Restore Decency | | | | political views. |
| (MOTOREDE) to attract non-members to their cause. | | | | Sex education advocates are also more |
| The NEA manual mentioned an irony: the Society | | | | sophisticated; they are better focused on the health |
| emulated the Communist party, their sworn enemy, | | | | and medical reasons for comprehensive sex |
| by forming a front to hide their true motives. This | | | | education, and less disposed to label their opposition |
| movement did succeed in attracting its own base: | | | | as fanatics. There were quick dismissals along this |
| according to author and sociologist Janice Irvine, 80 | | | | tone during the 60's; they kept their opposition |
| to 90 percent of MOTOREDE members were not | | | | alive-and possibly legitimized them with voters. |
| John Birchers. MOTOREDE was not the only | | | | A major problem history showed was that sex |
| organization of its kind; others were parents' | | | | educators had looked at their cause as a liberal one; |
| organizations with names such as Sanity of Sex | | | | that was a mistake in appealing to states with sizable |
| (S.O.S.) and Parents against Universal Sex Education | | | | conservative voting blocs and activist conservative |
| (PAUSE). | | | | legislators. Neither conservatives nor liberals want |
| While opinion polls of the time showed overwhelming | | | | their opponent's views legislated on them, even when |
| (71 percent) support for sex education, and sex | | | | they are in the minority. |
| education was endorsed by not only the NEA, but | | | | Today, people of all views are more accepting |
| also the National Council of Churches, the American | | | | towards sex education. We do see legislatures with |
| Medical Association and the U.S. Catholic Conference, | | | | 'abstinence-only' and 'abstinence until marriage' |
| vocal conservative opposition led legislators to | | | | positions as well as 'opt-in' policies-but sex education |
| reconsider sex education, or gave their political kin | | | | is not going away. Advocates need to do a better |
| ammunition to fight it. Organizations opposed to sex | | | | job of convincing voters that comprehensive sex |
| education in public schools existed in 35 states in | | | | education is not a liberal issue, but a health and |
| 1969. | | | | medical one, as well as an opportunity to deter |
| One politician, for example, the late California State | | | | predatory acts and child abuse. |
| Senator John Schmitz, introduced the Sex Education | | | | Today, we see a presidency that prefers to fund |
| Act of 1969 in the Golden State. While innocently | | | | 'abstinence until marriage' programs, although some |
| named, this legislation required an 'opt-in,' meaning | | | | governors courageously refused to pursue the |
| that any sex education program required 100 percent | | | | money this time around, as the requirements became |
| parental approval before it could be taught in a public | | | | too extreme-to educate 'abstinence until marriage' |
| school. Schmitz' legislation also called for dismissal and | | | | through the age of 29. However, the next |
| revocation of teaching credentials for any instructor | | | | presidency will promise a more moderate position-or |
| who taught an unapproved class. Three years later, | | | | leave the funding issues to the states. |
| elected as a Congressman from Orange County, | | | | |