It should be no surprise that teens are considering oral sex to be safe when this has been taught in some public schools since the late 1980's. In Minneapolis, it was included in so-called "Outercourse" and enthusiastically promoted by school officials. Along with portraying condoms as uniformly safe and effective, this is another example of irresponsibility by adult professionals who think they know better and care more for teens than the parents.

Will the culprits stand up and take responsibility? I don't think so. Even today, SIECUS (Sex Information and Education Coalition of the United States -- a prominent sex education organization) labels programs that encourage teens to wait for marriage as "fear based." Parents, do not assume that the schools have the same goals for your kids as you do.

Ross S. Olson MD

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