Preaching Chastity In the Classroom

More sex-education classes are teaching kids only about abstinence. Will they listen?

It's assembly time at La Vega High School in McLennan County, Texas, and a roomful of juniors and seniors is talking about the facts of life. "From this day forward, what's going to be too far for you?" asks traveling lecturer Eric Tooley, as he distributes a work sheet on "physical affection" that begins with talking and holding hands and progresses right through to sexual intercourse. "Circle the things you're not going to do until marriage." As the students finish up their assignment, Tooley makes clear his own preference: "Virginity is a gift you get to give away only once in...

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