The Westerner World (Lubbock, Tex.), Vol. 51, No. 10, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 4, 1985 Page: 3 of 16
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Texas Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Lubbock High School.
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^TEMPORARY
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PROM STYLE: THE SOMERSET
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The Clothes America Celebrates In
They've added narrow notch
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Mr. Doyce.
This od good for 10% off ony tux.
De sure to register for limousine
ond dinner ot the Fifty Yord Line.
Teenage Sexuality is a growing concern in America. A re-
cent poll published in Newsweek magazine reports that
America’s teenage pregnancy rate is among the highest in
the world. By the age of 20, nearly 1 in 10 American women
will have been pregnant at least once.
Why? What is the reason for the increasing number of
teenage pregnancies? Have television and advertising com-
pletely destroyed the moral fiber of today’s youth? Maybe
they know too much.
Unfortunately, young people in America don’t know
enough. Junior, Sharon Darow, says “Most people are afraid
that if you discuss sex openly with young people they’ll
want to go out and try it.” Junior, Eric Lipscomb explains,
“There is a lack of education about everything—all aspects
of sexual awareness . . . why only give a little glimpse.”
Although there are many programs and classes centered
around sexual awareness many of them only tell part of the
story.
The only formal class required by the state and the Lub-
bock ISD including a discussion of sexuality is basic
Health. This course includes a “Family Life Education” unit
in which sexuality is outlined “as a part of the total family
living unit . . .” However, teachers are forbidden to discuss
contraceptives or any part of the sexual anatomy of either
sex. The unit is intended merely to “supplement that which
should already have been done at home.” As it is presented
in the teacher’s handbook, it is nothing more than a lesson
in morality.
In a society which flaunts sex openly in movies, advertis-
ing, and television, teenagers don’t need a sermon on moral
values, they need facts. In Sweden, for example, where the
teenage pregnancy rate is half that of America, sex educa-
tion has been compulsory since the 1950’s.
The Lubbock Association Concerned with Teenage Sex-
uality (ACTS) is one group that will give a straight answer.
Organized in 1983, it has been a formal organization since
November, 1984. Mrs. Elizabeth Sisco, local attorney and
Lubbock ACTS board member explains the purpose of the
organization. “Lubbock ACTS is a community awareness
program working to gather up-to-date information regarding
human sexuality providing an educational source for the
community.” Mrs. Sisco and other ACTS members feel that,
“It’s very important that our teenagers feel that they have a
source for information.” ACTS provides one source, but it is
' not enough.
Each year hundreds of young women are faced with un-
wanted pregnancies. Without sufficient information to
avoid the consequences, they have only 2 choices—abor-
tion, or illigitimate birth—neither of which is acceptable in
our prudish, American society. The Moral Majority is not
willing to face sexuality on any level.
“Sex is a normal part of life and shouldn’t be avoided,”
says Sharon Darow. “I really think there’s a problem with
sex education. They’re starting at the wrong end.”
Teenagers don’t need to be versed in moral values, they
need facts—a straight forward discussion about sexuality
and their changing emotions.
It isn’t the degeneration of American youth that’s causing
the rising pregnancy rates, but the fact that no one cares un-
til the problem has reached epidemic proportions. It isn’t an
irreversible problem. America simply must learn how to face
life.
J
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The Westerner World (Lubbock, Tex.), Vol. 51, No. 10, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 4, 1985, newspaper, April 4, 1985; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth662415/m1/3/?q=%22%22~1: accessed June 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Lubbock High School.