By Phyllis Schlafly
A Wisconsin prosecutor recently sent a letter to five school districts warning that a new sex education law passed by the State Legislature could lead to criminal charges against teachers for contributing to the delinquency of minors. Wisconsin schools aren’t required to offer sex ed courses, but if they do, they must include instruction on how to use condoms and birth control pills. Prosecutor Scott Southworth contends that the law is not just “objective instruction” but is “implicit encouragement and advocacy” by teaching kids how to use contraceptives. He wrote: “It is akin to teaching children about alcohol use, then instructing them on how to make mixed alcoholic drinks.”
The prosecutor explained that the new curriculum violates other state laws prohibiting intercourse with any child under the age of 18. He wrote, “If a teacher instructs any student aged 16 or younger how to use contraceptives … where the ‘natural and probable consequences’ of the teacher’s instruction is to cause that child to engage in sexual intercourse with a child -– that teacher can be charged” under Wisconsin’s delinquency of a minor statute.
Prosecutor Southworth also reminded teachers that the law undermines parental authority. Schools would have to condone controversial sexual behavior because the law requires instruction about “gender stereotypes,” which would include discussions of homosexual, transgender and transsexual individuals. The prosecutor said he is troubled by a provision that opens the door for Planned Parenthood, which lobbied for the new law, to come into schools. He said, students “should not be subjected to pandering by local contraception businesses whose real interest is obtaining new, young customers.”
The Moral Liberal contributing editor Phyllis Schlafly is founder and president of Eagle Forum, a syndicated columnist, bestselling author and radio show host.
Used with the permission of Eagle Forum.
