Palin, McCain Differ on Sex Education

Senator supports abstinence-only; she is 'pro-contraception'
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 6, 2008 10:15 AM CDT
Palin, McCain Differ on Sex Education
Supporters rally for John McCain and Sarah Palin as they speak at the Freedom Hill County Park in Sterling Heights, Mich., yesterday.   (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Sarah Palin and John McCain differ on sex education, with Palin favoring both contraceptive and abstinence education in schools—while McCain and the GOP platform support teaching abstinence only, the Los Angeles Times observes. “I'm pro-contraception, and I think kids who may not hear about it at home should hear about it in other avenues,” Palin said in 2006, before her teen daughter became pregnant.

Earlier that year, the VP candidate completed a survey asking if she supported abstinence-only or “explicit" sex-education. “Explicit sex-ed will not find my support,” she wrote. But she later clarified that condom education was “relatively benign,” while “explicit means explicit.” McCain believes abstinence is “the only safe and responsible alternative,” a rep has said. Palin's spokeswoman said she stands by her 2006 statement supporting sex education including both abstinence and contraception. (More John McCain stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X