State Bans Abstinence Program

Rhode Island education officials have banned from public schools a federally funded abstinence program that civil rights advocates said embraced sexist stereotypes and included a voluntary student health survey that violated privacy laws.

Lawyers at the Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union first complained last year that a now-abandoned textbook used by Heritage of Rhode Island taught students that girls should wear clothing that doesn't invite "lustful thoughts" from boys. The book described men as "strong" and "courageous" while women were called "caring."

The ACLU protects the right of government-run schools to censor all but the officially sanctioned libertine view. We can always count on the ACLU to spring into action when there is a danger that government-run schools will be used for something other than indoctrination.