REPORT OF THE SOUTH DAKOTA TASK FORCE TO STUDY ABORTION: A CLOSER LOOK

(1/16/2006)

South Dakota Task Force to Study Abortion Report Addresses Sex Education

Some have been critical of the task force's lack of focus on sex ed

By Bob Ellis

Dakota Voice

*The following is the second in a series of features Dakota Voice will be publishing which takes a closer look at the report prepared by the South Dakota Task Force to Study Abortion.

The South Dakota Task Force to Study Abortion was commissioned last year by the state legislature to examine what has been learned about the practice of abortion since it was legalized by judicial fiat of the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. 

The task force has just officially released its 71 page report, and some people have been critical that the report did not include more about the role of sex education in reducing abortions.

According to the legislative act which formed the task force, it's purpose was to examine the following:

• the practice of abortion since its legalization

• the body of knowledge concerning the development and behavior of the unborn child which has developed because of technological advances and medical experience since the legalization of abortion

• the societal, economic, and ethical impact and effects of legalized abortion

• the degree to which decisions to undergo abortions are voluntary and informed

• the effect and health risks that undergoing abortions has on the women, including the effects on the women's physical and mental health, including the delayed onset of cancer, and her subsequent life and socioeconomic experiences

• the nature of the relationship between a pregnant woman and her unborn child

• whether abortion is a workable method for the pregnant woman to waive her rights to a relationship with the child

• whether the unborn child is capable of experiencing physical pain

• whether the need exists for additional protections of the rights of pregnant women contemplating abortion

• whether there is any interest of the state or the mother or the child which would justify changing the laws relative to abortion

The report says that the issue of sex education came up frequently throughout the testimony they heard and the subject was discussed considerably.  The report also says that it is "clear that sexuality education and abortion are undoubtedly connected." 

The task force report found that abstinence education is the basis for building a strategy to decrease unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STD)s.  It also points out that South Dakota already has a campaign to educate young people to "Just Say No" to things like smoking and drugs.

The message of "comprehensive sex education," which promotes contraception, was found to be a confusing one that takes the opposite approach to the "Just Say No" campaign.  The report says that contraception-based sex ed sends the message to youth that they are incapable of controlling themselves and their emotions, and because of their inability to exercise self-discipline, they must have contraception.  The task force also said that this type of sex education produces a mentality that abortion is a "back up" when contraceptives fail.  Finally, it states that no objective study of contraceptive-based sex education has been proven to reduce unplanned pregnancies and abortion, but instead seems to result in an increase in sexual activity.

However, the abortion task force points out in its report that it was not mandated to make recommendations about sex education, and it was not specified as an area of focus, so it was not considered directly germane to its mandate. 

The following members were appointed to the task force by Governor Mike Rounds: State Senator Stan Adelstein (R-Rapid City), Dr. Marty Allison of Pierre, State Senator Julie Bartling (D-Burke), Dr. Maria Bell of Sioux Falls, Travis Benson of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls, University of South Dakota law professor David Day, State Senator Jay Duenwald (R-Hoven), State Senator Brock Greenfield (R-Clark), Rapid City therapist Linda Holcomb, State Rep. Roger Hunt (R-Brandon), State Rep. Elizabeth Kraus (R-Rapid City), Planned Parenthood of Minnesota/South Dakota Director Kate Looby, State Rep. Kathy Miles (D-Sioux Falls), John Stransky, State Rep. Theresa Two Bulls (D-Pine Ridge), Dr. Allen Unruh of Sioux Falls, and Dr. David Wachs of Aberdeen.

Related Reports:

Legislative Recommendations from the South Dakota Task Force to Study Abortion