Abstinence Education:

SC PIE believes that parents are the first and primary educators of their children, especially regarding value-laden topics like human sexuality. SC PIE supports a parents’ right to exclude their child from human sexuality instruction while attending public school, however, SC PIE wants to come alongside parents to equip them when necessary.

Because South Carolina law requires human sexuality instruction in South Carolina’s public schools (unless a parent chooses to exclude their child), SC PIE is active in training teachers how to effectively teach students to abstain from sexual activity until marriage. SC PIE also provides abstinence education training to faith leaders, parents, and public and private health care providers in targeted communities. State and federal grants have enabled SC PIE to partner with several South Carolina school districts to implement abstinence education training and curricula.

SC PIE recommends Worth the Wait curricula, developed by Scott & White Hospital of Texas for state-mandated instruction in middle and high schools. SC PIE uses a curriculum specifically designed for training adolescents through the faith community, Healthy Image of Sex. For parents, SC PIE recommends the book Questions Kids Ask About Sex, by the Medical Institute for Sexual Health.