I listened to the Diane Rehm show this morning (hosted today by Frank Sesno, who moved the show along briskly and laudably forcing the guests to define their terms). The above link is to a page where you can listen to the show. Three organizations were represented in the studio, participating in a detailed discussion concerning the extent to which children should be taught about sex. It was a lively and informative discussion that is well worth a listen.
Here are the organizations:
Advocates for Youth: “Advocates for Youth is dedicated to creating programs and advocating for policies that help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. Advocates provides information, training, and strategic assistance to youth-serving organizations, policy makers, youth activists, and the media in the United States and the developing world.”
National Sexual Abstinence Association: “The NAEA exists to serve, support and represent individuals and organizations in the practice of abstinence education.”
National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy: It’s mission is “to continue our work on preventing teen pregnancy and also focus on reducing the high level of unplanned pregnancy in the United States among adults, especially those under 30 where the vast majority of unplanned pregnancies occur.”
I also heard the broadcast, or about 20 minutes of it. The show moves much more smoothly when there is a guest host. I can't staaaand howwww sloooowlyyyyy Diiiaaane Reeeehmmm sssppppeeeeeeaaakkkkssssssssssssss, I realize she is old as can be, but it ruins the show for me when she tries to host. In her defense, she picks her words well. In terms of the content today, the abstinence-only folks seemed shrill.
Ben: I too lose much patience when listening to Diane Rehm. She was born in 1936. She suffers a voice disorder, spasmodic dysphonia. I really feel for her, given that she is a broadcaster with a most inopportune condition. On the other hand, I just really do want more, faster when I'm listening to her. I find her cadence to be a substantial distraction. I thought that the guest host today, Frank Sesno, did an admirable job.