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Protect Yourself" - Montgomery County Public School's New 'How-to' Condom Video*
'Protect Yourself' is the new sex-ed video that features an attractive young woman showing how to put a condom on a cucumber. This video has been produced and paid for by the Montgomery County Public School system. The video will was to be shown to all 10th grade students who attend sex-ed in the county this spring 2005. The video's lesson plan and student handout are also available for parents to review.
Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum recently obtained a copy of this video directly from the school system through the Maryland Public Information Act. This information is being posted here as a public service to the parents of Montgomery County School children. We believe it is important that all parents are fully aware of its content before they allow their children to view it. The video was shown in its entirety at the March 19th Town Hall Meeting. Download the Protect Yourself video Fact Sheet.
| In this video the young woman makes many strong points, some of them include: |
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"Remember to use a condom for oral, anal, and vaginal sex"
"When used correctly and consistently, condoms can be about 98% effective"
"Look for condoms with spermicide"
"Choose latex condoms...that have a reservoir tip, this is a little space at the end of the condom that catches semen" |
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"...never use baby oil or vaseline...always choose water based lubricants, like K-Y Jelly"
"Buying condoms isn't as scary as you might think"
"Putting one on seems pretty straightforward too, but this is the part where everyone makes mistakes"
"...always get consent before becoming sexually active...this means getting a verbal yes...from your partner..." |
The CRC was surprised at the graphic content of this video that the school system itself created. We question the judgment of the MCPS Board of Education's decision to include oral and anal sex in the video when the Surgeon General of the United States has said; "Condoms provide some protection, but anal intercourse is simply too dangerous to practice." Parents need to consider the language and concepts included in this video in order to make an informed decision about allowing their child to view it.
Considering the new curriculum focus on childrens' sexual identity, expression and orientation, this video's "abstinence" message is a perfect example of the mixed messages that the Board of Education is giving kids regarding their sexuality and their ability to embrace chastity as teens. Viewing this video will not discourage but encourage children to increase their sexual encounters since its pretence is that one can have safe sex and 'protect yourself'.
In late spring 2004, information became available about the three high schools where this video was piloted. Only FIVE parents attended parent meetings in the three schools combined. Prior to final approval by the Board of Education, a total of FIVE parents outside the school board's committees commented on this video...for the entire county!
ATTENTION MCPS HIGH SCHOOL PARENTS: All MCPS High Schools will were planning to holding a 'parent meeting' about this video after Easter break (some have already taken place). If you cannot decide on whether or not you want your daughter or son to see this video based on the information presented here, you can view the entire video at the parent information meeting at your high school. NOTE: You CAN opt your child out of the class where this video will be shown, AND STILL have your son or daughter complete the remainder of the 10th grade human sexuality course.
If you want to have your voice heard on this issue, send an email to the MCPS Board of Education at boe@fc.mcps.k12.md.us and sign the CRC's online petition! Please also consider a tax deductible donation to support the work of Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum. It's easy - just click the DONATE NOW tab in the right column of the page.
Interested in looking at the resources that were used to create and support the new curriculum?
*Protect Yourself images and video copyright ©2003 Montgomery County Public Schools. Material shown here pursuant to copyright fair use.
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