It’s a ridiculous case that reminds us of the Scopes trial, when a teacher was prosecuted for schooling students on Darwin’s theory of evolution. In the 2010 version, a Wisconsin district attorney is warning teachers that they could charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor if they teach the sex education classes that are mandated by state law next fall. http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/90020507.html
That’s right: Teachers will be prosecuted for following Wisconsin law.
Juneau County District Attorney Scott Southworth has mailed letters to five school districts warning them that teaching kids sex education it tantamount to contributing to the delinquency of a minor it a teacher knows students are sexually active. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/04/06/us/AP-US-Sex-Ed-Wisconsin.html
Southworth also told the school districts that they should not abide by the new state law — which mandates that this fall schools offer sex ed programs that that teach students about to use condoms and about other kinds of contraceptives – which he expects will be repealed.
The DA in his letters claims that the sex education law “promotes the sexualization – and sexual assault – of our children,” according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“Forcing our schools to instruct children on how to utilize contraceptives encourages our children to engage in sexual behavior, whether as a victim or an offender,” Southworth, a Republican, wrote. “It is akin to teaching children about alcohol use, then instructing them on how to make mixed alcoholic drinks.”
The two legislators who helped write the sex education law, Rep. Tamara Grigsby, D-Milwaukee, and Rep. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, basically scoffed at Southworth’s anti-sex education crusade.
Roys told the Journal Sentinel that the district attorney’s letter and threat was irresponsible.
“Using condoms isn’t a crime for anyone,” she said.
Grigsby told the Associated Press that Southworth’s March 24 letter to schools was “beyond ridiculous.”
