In light of last week’s Democratic presidential debate in which Dennis Kucinich explicitly stated support for sex education and birth control, I wanted to post an overview of the candidates’ policies. The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States posted a helpful policy update in August, based on candidates’ past speeches and public statements.

Here’s a summary of the a few of the candidates’ policies, according to SIECUS:

Democrats:

• Barack Obama supports sex education for kindergartners if it is age-appropriate, such as learning the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touching to educate young children on what to do if facing an abusive situation.
• Hillary Clinton was a co-sponsor of the Putting Prevention First Act, which would also establish a federal funding stream for comprehensive sex education.
• Dennis Kucinich is the only Democratic presidential candidate who has co-sponsored the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act—legislation which would establish federal funding for comprehensive programs that teach about abstinence, condoms, and contraception.

Republicans:

• Rudy Giuliani’s position on sex education is somewhat unclear. As mayor of New York City, Giuliani supported condom availability in public schools, but hasn’t spoken publicly on his views since seeking the presidential nomination.
  
• Mitt Romney checked “yes” to the question, “Do you support the teaching of responsible, age-appropriate, factually accurate health and sexuality education, including information about both abstinence and contraception, in public schools?” in a 2002 questionnaire from Planned Parenthood. But as governor of Massachusetts, he was a supporter of abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.
• John McCain supports abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.

Women’s eNews offers additional information about even more candidates’ views.  You can watch last Thursday’s Democratic debate or read the transcript. The next presidential debate (Republicans) is scheduled for Nov. 28.

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