Review of The Education of Shelby Knox (2005) by Mark A — 02 Jul 2013

This was a well-done documentary that followed the crusade of a high school girl who bucked the society of her west Texas town of Lubbock in order to see an effective sex-education program instituted. I was getting far too worked up watching it though, as she met resistance at every turn, from her pastor, to some religious talk-show radio hosts, to the head of a religious family ministry, and including her parents who tried to be supportive even thought they disapproved of what she was doing.

(Try to walk that tightrope!). It was when the head of that last ministry began to threaten her with repercussions and arrogantly suggested that he would see that her adult club sponsor was fired, because she was just a kid and he was an adult who had influence with voters, which in turn meant he could influence politicians, that I had to turn it off or else risk popping a blood vessel.

The simple fact of the matter is that sex education is important and leads to reduced rates of teen pregnancy much more effectively than abstinence-only programs, but the religious leaders feel allowing it admits that teens will have sex.

What they fail to realize is that will be true no matter what they are taught. At least with sex education, they learn what responsible, safe sex entails. It is effective if you can get through it though.

I found myself yelling at the screen many times, Good kid. I hope she was successful, although I doubt it.