Parents should ‘opt in’ to revised sex-ed learning

The state Department of Education has approved what is clearly a better version of its controversial Pono Choices sex education curriculum, but the most significant improvement may be the one strengthening the parental voice in the entire discussion.

The DOE describes Pono Choices as a sexual health program aimed at reducing teen pregnancy rates and preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

It’s come under fire from some quarters, however, because of its direct way of referencing same-sex relationships and its use of sexual terminology that some find too explicit for its middle-school target audience.

A review panel identified the most contentious areas, which included the curriculum definitions of the words sex, anus, abstinence and even "pono," the Hawaiian term generally translated as "righteousness."

There were objections, too, about the condom demonstration, the same-sex relationship scenarios and various anatomical images.

The Center on Disability Studies at the University of Hawaii-Manoa developed the program and got it kicked back for revisions following the review panel’s critique.

In addition to clarifying those terms, the 10 approved changes included added emphasis on the risk of unprotected anal sex and on the absence of protection against STDs from hormonal forms of birth control.

The parental role was underscored when the UH center incorporated another recommended change: Tell parents what language is used in the description of same-sex scenarios when a presentation about the curriculum is made on parents’ night.

The reason that this transparency effort is so important is that parents now have to actively opt into this, or any other, sex-education program for their child. That represents a change in policy by the DOE, which previously assumed the child was enrolled unless the parent opted out.

Deputy Superintendent Ronn Nozoe rightly observed that sex-ed programs are sensitive issues for many families, who see it as one of many entry points for passing on family values and beliefs. Parents should weigh in on how such important behavioral matters are taught.

That said, opting in on Pono Choices or any of the other six DOE-approved sex-ed programs is, for most families, a pragmatic decision and in the interest of most children. Fact-based education on sexual health has demonstrably positive effects.

A 2012 study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health showed that healthier behaviors and outcomes were linked with receiving sex education, whether it included abstinence-only materials or covered birth control as well.

In this state, it’s plainly needed. Hawaii’s teen pregnancy rate is 93 pregnancies per 1,000 young teens, ages 15-19, according to the Pono Choices "frequently asked questions" summary. That’s higher than the national rate of 84 pregnancies per 1,000, and only nine states have higher rates of teenage pregnancy than Hawaii.

In addition, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases are a major public-health risk, and Hawaii youths need to be clear on the consequences of sexual behavior.

Parents do need to be brought into the conversation, though. Sexual health is a family affair at its heart, and the DOE’s decision to reach out to families may be the most pono choice it could have made.