Corrections Sentencing posts about Georgia's idea to teach the criminal sanctions associated with underage sex in the state as part of its sex education classes:
More teen stories. Rather than doing anything serious with Genarlow Wilson, GA may decide that sex ed should include a chapter on the penalties for its 18th Century laws and thinking. Not a bad idea, really, if kids having sex have to be controlled by government rather than, you know, their families, their churches, their community norms, just to protect them. But what’s the pool on the first kid to say, “You know what, what we’re doing violates Section 12, subsection 3(b) of the Georgia Criminal Code”? So much corr sent that would be unnecessary if grown-ups would just do their jobs well to start with. And here we hear that, omigod, without any laws at all!!!, teens empowered with some knowledge and rational education are cutting back their pregnancies. One more bit of evidence that major social behavior changes don’t need formal policy action all the time. Far more gets done with seeing the consequences of an older sibling with an unplanned child or in a morgue or wheelchair than we can ever hope to do in corrections sentencing or other government institutions.
I know I learned the legal stuff in my sex ed classes; it seems like a bit of a no-brainer, of course you should teach kids what behavior is illegal and will get them in trouble. Most people (rightfully) think that taking advantage of younger kids sexually should be a crime, and this needs to be communicated. I know we heard a lot of stuff about how date rape, sex with someone unable to consent, etc. is actually a crime; this seems to be the same idea.
Posted by: jvarisco | August 25, 2007 at 11:15 PM