The following are Reproductive Justice editorials written by the Female Leadership Academy:


Comprehensive Sex Education
Spring 2008
According to statistics twenty five percent of sexually active teens in Tulare County become infected with an STD, seventy five percent that are sexually active become pregnant (No Time for Complacency report). Should sex education be taught as a basic life skill to all high school and middle school students? There are many pros and cons dealing with this matter, but overall it would have a positive impact on our society. Several argue against it, believing that as a social issue it should be handled outside of the educational system. Personally, I view this as essential information that should be properly taught to every individual. Many agree with me as well, knowing that the reality is, if not taught as core curriculum, it may never be learned. It is important that the information given be accurate, so that students are not misled. Being well informed makes all of the difference.
In the community that we live in, the topic of sex education is often overlooked. An issue that many parents have with sex education being taught to their children in the public school system is defining what is appropriate and at which age. It is a complete myth that most Californians believe sex education should only be taught in high school. The fact of the matter is that 78 percent of Californians believe their local school district should require sex-education in both middle and high school (NARAL Sex-Ed Kit 6). It is vital that we monitor the education system; to be sure the teachings are teen comprehensive at both age levels. In this day and age, the sooner our youth is well informed, the better chance they have of making the right choices.
Another myth is that sex education encourages teens to have sex. In fact, young people who receive comprehensive instructions on abstinence, contraception, STD prevention, and awareness delay the initiation of sex, have fewer partners, and have less unprotected sex (NARAL Sex-Ed Kit 6). This information will not only get teens through school with the knowledge to make the right choices, but knowledge that will be used throughout their entire life. Abstinence-Only programs teach teens that is their only option and censor important health information about birth control and contraception, whereas comprehensive Sex-Ed promotes abstinence as the best way to stay healthy and avoid pregnancy, as well as providing important health information about birth control and STD prevention (NARAL Sex-Ed Kit 7). Therefore, if not taught in public schools, students are left to learn it the hard way. Educating students on sex could be the key to a healthier society.
There are many different positive aspects to teaching comprehensive sex-education to both middle and high school students. Sex education should be a basic life skill, taught to every student. Even with some opposing factors, this topic still ends up having a positive impact on our general community. California has two laws ensuring that our public schools teach medically accurate, age-appropriate, comprehensive sex education, which is known as SB 71 and AB 629. Schools districts can opt out all together from teaching any type of sex education that leads to a real disadvantage for students. Visalia Unified is supposedly up to par and that is subject to debate. Visalia Unified looks great on paper, but are teachers being monitored? Unfortunately, very few schools act on this issue, particularly in Tulare County, such as in Cutler and Orosi who fail to teach comprehensive sex education, and are known for the highest teen pregnancy rates. I suggest parents get involved and start monitoring classrooms to be sure their children are getting the right info that isn’t Abstinence based! Why aren’t more people acting on this issue? I don’t know the answer to that, all I know is that things would be very different if they were.
Korri Faria, Class of 2008

FLA Graduation ~ Class of 2008

“Being a member of the Female Leadership Academy, of this wonderful group of women, has been an experience that I know will stay with me for the rest of my life. These past few months have helped me get in touch with my inner feminist as well as help others understand the importance of making a difference in their own community. This 8 month journey has taught me to speak up for what I feel is right and for those who can’t as well as other more simple but important skills such as how to be a more organized and how to prepare myself for social justice related experiences. These women have taught me the importance of coming together and standing up for issues that effect us all but most importantly how to build relationships based on trust, compassion and understanding in order to reach a common goal.”
-Ana Suarez