Wednesday, February 18, 2004

“Abstinence-only sex education.”

It’s a lousy kind of sex education. It teaches kids to be conflicted about their bodies and their sexuality. It doesn’t cut down on pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.

If you agree with this, please pledge to start calling it by a new name. Framing is important. The Republicans changed our national discourse by getting the media to use phrases like “death tax” and “tax relief” and “marriage penalty.”

Liberals need to frame issues in ways that support our positions. And this one is so, so easy.

Call it what it is. “Nice girls don’t” sex ed.