The Jan. 2 cartoon aimed to dismiss abstinence education as simpleminded. In reality, driver safety and reproductive health are more complex. The privilege of driving powerful machines on highways with others involves a relationship of trust. One should be mature in judgment and prepared to take responsibility for any and all consequences.

Education and preparation are key elements. Practice driving is important to develop skills and reflexes. Practice in communication, problem solving, sharing goals and values are just some of the essential skills for building human relationships. The rules of the road must be mastered or in the case of relationships, the boundaries determined for safety and long term success. The benefits of driving are obvious. The benefits of sexual relationships include pleasure but also the creation of emotional bonds and babies. Driver education does not issue radar detectors to reduce the consequences of speeding. Nor do condoms and contraceptives eliminate the pregnancies, STDs, and broken hearts. There are no quick fixes for these serious activities.

The teacher who recognizes and promotes abstinence education is not suggesting that teens abstain from sex forever but that they prepare, identify the standards for success in relationships, resist the illusions and prepare to handle the consequences. What we really want is to see a long-term record of safety and satisfaction in driving a car and in maintaining relationships and families.

Meg Yates

Wilton

megin41@hotmail.com