Ken Schram: Facts confront fantasy in sex education

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Story Published: Mar 20, 2008 at 12:24 PM PDT

Story Updated: Mar 31, 2008 at 4:47 PM PDT

By Ken Schram

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SEATTLE -- Some people hate it when fact confronts fantasy.

Conservatives who believe in abstinence-only sex education are all bristly over a University of Washington study that says that particular brand of sex-ed just isn't working all too well.

U-dub researchers took a national sampling of teens and found that when taught about condoms and birth control - along with abstinence - teens are half as likely to become parents as those who only get the "don't have sex" message.

Not only that, the study also says teens who get comprehensive sex-ed are no more likely to actually have sex than teens who are simply told wait till you're married.

Mind you, the federal government has already spent $1.5 billion on abstinence-only sex-ed at the insistence of conservatives.

So of course this new information is driving them nuts.

Rather than confront proof that abstinence only messages are not working - are indeed hurting kids - they'd rather continue to believe that imposing their moral values on teens is enough to keep kids chaste and virginal.

Like I said, some people really hate it when fact confronts fantasy.

Have something to say to Ken? E-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com.

And be sure to join Ken, along with John Carlson, on "The Commentators", which airs every weekday from 3-6 p.m. on AM 570 KVI.

It's a lively exchange of information, insight and perspective with two guys who don't agree on much, but still manage to enjoy each other as they tackle issues of the day. Even better, callers are invited in on the verbal action.

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