James Coburn
EDMOND — EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one in an occasional series of stories about candidates for the 2010 gubernatorial race.
Oklahoma’s two Democrat contenders in the 2010 gubernatorial race support mandatory health education in schools.
Lt. Gov. Jari Askins and Attorney General Drew Edmondson said they would work with the state Legislature to find a solution for teenage pregnancy in Oklahoma. They made that pledge at a recent forum for 2010 gubernatorial candidates at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Edmondson said he is disturbed that Oklahoma and Colorado are the only states in the U.S. that do not mandate health education.
“If that fails, as governor, I will go to school boards,” Edmondson said. “I will go to the state Department of Education. Unless they pass a law saying you can’t teach health education in our schools, I will lobby for it on a school-by-school basis until it gets done.”
Republican 5th District Congresswoman Mary Fallin did not attend the forum because of her responsibilities in Washington, D.C. State Sen. Randy Brogdon chose not to attend the event, said forum moderator Alex Cameron of News 9. Both are seeking the Republican nomination in the 2010 gubernatorial race.
“The incidence of sexually transmitted diseases as well as pregnancy is something that we must address,” Askins said.
Teenage pregnancy increases high school drop out rates, decreases opportunities for employment, creates family instability and clouds a child’s future with undue struggle, Edmondson and Askins said.
“We’ve had instructions at the Capitol saying this is not an appropriate subject to be taught in schools, that it’s important for these sex education lessons to be taught at home,” Askins said.
She cautioned that parents are far too often not educating their teenage sons and daughters about the risks of having sex at an early age. Some teenagers do not consider that sexual activity may lead to pregnancy or serious illness, she added.
Birth rates among Oklahoma teenagers has exceeded the national average for decades. The state ranks seventh in the U.S. for teenage births, according to the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, sponsor of the 2009 Legislative Forum.
Children are looking for the role models they do not find at home, Askins said. As governor, Askins would create a cabinet dedicated to children’s issues that would study how other states have successfully addressed pregnancy rates.
“The dual approach usually and typically focuses on young girls. It needs to also focus on young boys,” Edmondson said.
Solutions to prevent teenage pregnancy in Oklahoma need a combined approach by the faith-based community and schools, Edmondson said. Families also need to be strengthened, he said.
jcoburn@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 114
