For the second time in eight months, "Good Morning America" has featured an extremely liberal sexuality author, who blogs on a condom website and touts Democrats, as a neutral expert. On Friday's program, Logan Levkoff, the author of "Third Base Ain't What it Used to be," and a woman who has previously stated she wouldn't rule out giving birth control to elementary school students, appeared to discuss the epidemic of teen pregnancies in Gloucester, Massachusetts. However, GMA never identified the leftist positions of this woman who once wrote a sex column titled "Ask Mistress Lola."
Levkoff explained to co-host Robin Roberts that "our policies are not helping our children." Running down abstinence education, she argued, "And the fact is, we as parents need to get involved and we as schools need to advocate for healthy sexuality education. And that means talking about everything, not just abstinence, because, clearly, even if that's what they're getting that's not what these kids are doing." Levkoff is no moderate voice. She blogs on the Trojan Elexa website and her topics have included celebrating "Blog for Choice Day," bashing President Bush and being "psyched" when the Democrats won back Congress in 2006. Shouldn't it be the responsibility of ABC to identify the extremely liberal perspective that Levkoff operates from?
On Friday's segment, Levkoff didn't appear quite as radical as her last appearance on GMA. On October 17, 2007, co-host Diane Sawyer asked if the sex expert would draw the line at birth control for grade school students. At that point, she retorted, "I don't necessarily draw the line because we're in a world where we get so many sexual messages and where is our goal?" On Friday's program, Levkoff spoke of Gloucester, Massachusetts, where teen pregnancies have spiked. She complained about the " the lack of access to reproductive health services." Wouldn't it be helpful at this point to know that this expert is aggressively pro-abortion?
Levkoff did appear with another guest, Sue Todd, the CEO of Pathways for Children, a group that provides day care for pregnant teens so that they can continue their education. But, Todd certainly was not a counter-point to Levkoff's leftist beliefs.
Once again, ABC has attempted to pass off a committed liberal as a neutral expert with no agenda.
A transcript of the June 20 segment, which aired at 7:34am follows:
ROBIN ROBERTS: We are joined here in the studio by sexuality educator Logan Levkoff. She is the author of "Third Base Ain't What it Used to be" and Sue Todd, president and CEO of Pathways for Children, which runs the day care center that helps teen moms at that Gloucester school. Good morning to you both. Sue, let me start with you, first of all. You live there in the community. Last year there were three teen pregnancies. 17, 18 this year. What do you think is going on?
SUE TODD (President and CEO, Pathways for Children): I wish I had the answer to that. I think what we need to really be focusing on is to get to the root cause of that and we can only do that if we all work together. I think there are many factors that are playing into this and finding one easy answer is not going to work.
ROBERTS: No, it's never easy to try to find just one answer. We heard in Andrea's report, Sue, contraceptives not available at all and also we understand sex education stops in the ninth grade there?
TODD: That's my understanding. Again, that is conducted in the public schools, not through our organization.
ROBERTS: And you --
TODD: But also we are-- I'm sorry. We're focusing really in on looking at parental accountability and trying to come together as a community to begin to work on this issue and, again, find out what is really happening and try to stop this from repeating.
ROBERTS: Logan, what we're seeing in Gloucester, is this what -- is this a reflection of what's going on in the country? We do see that teen pregnancy is on the rise for the first time in 15 years.
LOGAN LEVKOFF (Author, "Third Base Ain't What it Used to be"): For the first time in 15 years. I think this is indicative of America doing a really bad job at communicating well and positively about sexuality. One in 14 teen girls in this country has at least one sexually transmitted infection. We have the highest sexually transmitted infection rates of any western developed nation. Our policies are not helping our children. And the fact is, we as parents need to get involved and we as schools need to advocate for healthy sexuality education. And that means talking about everything, not just abstinence, because, clearly, even if that's what they're getting that's not what these kids are doing.
ROBERTS: What would you specifically tell the folks there in Gloucester, suggest that they do?
LEVKOFF: I would suggest we take on comprehensive sexuality education, which also talks about abstinence and why it's important at times to be abstinence but also it's a program that continues. It doesn't end as freshmen. It continues. It's an ongoing dialogue and starts much earlier so that when teens are ready to make decisions about sex they know how to make smart ones.
ROBERTS: Sue, you run-- you're part of a company that runs a day care center there in the high school for the students. Not the only one in the country. There are many high schools throughout the country. Some people may find that surprising. Critics say is that making it easier for teen mothers? Are you enabling them in a way?
TODD: I certainly have heard that comment. The data actually, nationally, on research actually refutes that, that we have been shown to be a deterrent, not to be an encouragement for the teens. There are very strict requirements for the girls that are participating in the program, one is that whenever they are with their babies they're in the classroom, where role modeling is taking place and a lot of good activity, parenting course, support group, et cetera.
ROBERTS: And you said many have gone on to graduate where possibly they would not have had that opportunity.
TODD: That's correct:
ROBERTS: What do you think, Logan, of seeing day care? I know some people are going, what? Day care in a high school?
LEVKOFF: With all due respect to Sue's program, we want teen mothers to be able to stay in school but that program with the lack of ongoing sexuality education and the lack of access to reproductive health services may not be sending the best message. The fact is that babies may be welcome in this school and school district but the harsh reality is that outside those walls, teen parents are not as welcomed into the community. Life is tough. So, we want to make sure we send a balanced message that, okay, it's okay to be a teen mom, but it's had and it's not something we should strive to be.
ROBERTS: Pop culture play a role?
LEVKOFF: Definitely plays a role. I mean, it certainly doesn't help the situation. Jamie Lynn Spears, "Juno" These are either characters or pop culture figures that don't represent the average teen. And that's the problem. We see their lives detailed. We think we can be like them but the fact is we'll never have the resources that they have. So we need to make better decisions.
ROBERTS: Logan, thank you very much. Again, the name of your book, "Third Base Ain't What it Used to be."
LEVKOFF: And it ain't.
ROBERTS: Sue, thank you very much. We appreciate your time.
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.





LOGAN LEVKOFF (Author, "Third Base Ain't What it Used to be"): For the first time in 15 years. I think this is indicative of America doing a really bad job at communicating well and positively about sexuality. One in 14 teen girls in this country has at least one sexually transmitted infection. We have the highest sexually transmitted infection rates of any western developed nation. Our policies are not helping our children. And the fact is, we as parents need to get involved and we as schools need to advocate for healthy sexuality education. And that means talking about everything, not just abstinence, because, clearly, even if that's what they're getting that's not what these kids are doing. 













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Comments Policy
"And the fact is, we as
June 20, 2008 - 11:08 ET by Schnikeys"And the fact is, we as parents need to get involved and we as
schools need to advocate for healthy sexuality education. And that
means talking about everything, not just abstinence, because, clearly,
even if that's what they're getting that's not what these kids are
doing."
...so the error is with the parents??
It seems more like the error is that kids are not being taught to prioritize or think for themselves...or more specifically, think in a logical manner.
If "Sex = Kid",
"No Sex, therefore No Kid."
They should be taught exactly- EXACTLY what happens during and after sex. Allow kids to put it in perspective. And if the inability of them to put it in perspective is the issue, then put it that way- "We don't want you having sex because you aren't mentally developed enough to comprehend all aspects of it, and neither are your little shithead friends."
But then the variable of birth control might (actually, more like "likely will") come up. Then the issue changes from the effects of sex to the areas in life from which one derives pleasure. From there, the explanation gets easier.
I am thankfully far from being a parent, so I'm not going to pretend I know everything about having kids. But that's what makes sense.
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"It could be the answer to our age-old, philosophical question, 'Why are we here?' PLASTIC!"
Should just stick with the
June 20, 2008 - 11:24 ET by taterShould just stick with the no sex = no kid logic.
Birth control while it may work 90% of the time that still means 10% chance of kid. And you have to use it correctly...and can you think how many teenage girls will follow it to a tee. Then of course you enter STD and other physical/emotional problems territory, which is why chastity is the way to go.
www.theholyrosary.org
"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we can not resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -Sister Lucia
What? No demo putting a
June 20, 2008 - 11:26 ET by jdhawkWhat? No demo putting a condom on a banana (ribbed and lubricated - for her - of course)?
I am turning the channel to Maury!!!
Seriously, the facts are that the teaching of abstinence is and does work. A recent article that was highlighted on this blog stated so. Nevertheless, the drive by media will tout their agenda ad nasuem.
Meanwhile, even under Clintoon, the Surgeon General was fired for advocating just what this "expert" is advocating.
She is right about one thing. Parents do need to get involved, but to stop the insanity of teaching elementary school children the sex act and gay sex - yes, I know that wasn't covered, but probably because it wasn't asked about).
"our policies are not
June 20, 2008 - 11:34 ET by robert108"our policies are not helping our children."
All too true, but it's the policies that support strangers talking to our impressionable children, in a public setting, about sex, above and beyond the biology of it. IMO, public sex education in its present form simply desensitizes children to sexuality, which sets them up for all the rest down the line.
strangers talking to our impressionable children about sex
June 20, 2008 - 12:10 ET by allamericangirlAnd we have seen a rise of teachers having sex with their young students.
Who's to say it won't go from sex explanation to sex exploration in the classroom.
I don't trust Government run schools to do what is best for our kids.
The defense rests (the teacher probably needs a rest also)
June 20, 2008 - 16:31 ET by mom_roxTeacher's defense lawyer: Your honor, my client was asked by the students how to become pregnant, so my client obliged via a "demonstration".
In addition to/or instead of sex education, the students should be required to take care of the "round-the-clock" infant simulators, like the ones mentioned in this article. Plus, make sure a few students in the school get twins. Takes a little tarnish off the glamour.
A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw, 1944
TEEN STD RATES PLUNGE SINCE MARCH!
June 20, 2008 - 11:41 ET by SickofLibsLL: "One in 14 teen girls in this country has at least one sexually transmitted infection." This is GREAT NEWS, because the NYT (and numerous other news sources) told us just this past March that the number was one in four. So sex ed IS working, after all. But just remember, kids, "it's okay to be a teen mom!"
There's just something about
June 20, 2008 - 12:00 ET by rimskyThere's just something about having a very sexy blonde babe discussing the subject of 'sex education' that doesn't sit right. It seems to scream.. HAVE SEX!!! at you. Nomesayin?
Based on the info I've
June 20, 2008 - 12:00 ET by FranksamBased on the info I've seen, the girls of Gloucester wanted to get pregnant. I don't see the relevance in providing birth control or teaching abstinence in this situation.
About forty years ago (or so), my father made it clear to my sisters and me that anybody old enough to have a baby was old enough to get out into the world and support themselves and their child. I had a boss in high school who pulled me aside one day before I went to college to tell me, "Don't be an idiot like my son and get some girl pregnant so you screw up your future." I think that kind of message is absent today.
I wonder what the teen
June 20, 2008 - 12:16 ET by PeskyDaneI wonder what the teen pregnancy rate in Lancaster, PA was last year... actually, I don't. Just say'in.
MSM missing the point as per usual
June 20, 2008 - 13:11 ET by greenfairieThe liberal sexperts only know one response to teen sexuality/pregnancy and that is to toss 'em condoms and tell 'em to have a good time.
These girls wouldn't have been helped by sex ed. They knew exactly what they were doing. Why? My guess is 1) most of these girls come from homes where there is not a lot of family interaction. Obviously, there wasn't a whole lot of supervision. So where do they find love and attention? Not from boys...this generation has been trained into regarding sex as a way to alleviate boredom and gain popularity. They're so over finding a male to love them back. After all, these girls didn't pursue romance, they pursued sperm donors. One of the girls involved boffed a homeless man to get herself pregnant! They seek love instead from somebody who can give it unconditionally, i.e. a child. 2) The media has glamourized out-of-wedlock motherhood. No judgments are made on the likes of Jamie Lynn Spears or any of these other bimbo actresses who flaunt having babies without hubbies. They have no idea of the awesome responsibility it takes to raise a kid, regardless of one's age or economic situation. 3) The Baby Club KNEW their school had day care facilities. It's always easier to not think about how a baby will affect your life when you believe somebody will be there to help you take care of the lil' pooper.
I pity these girls because they have no idea what they've got themselves into. But I pity their babies most of all. How will these young ladies feel in 15 years when their daughters want to try the same stunt? You know what they say about karma...
I think it's a predictable
June 20, 2008 - 14:26 ET by robert108I think it's a predictable outcome of the "It takes a village." propaganda. These girls are just creating their own little village.
Condoms Do Not Mean Safe Sex
June 20, 2008 - 17:32 ET by deerjerkydaveToo often kids are told by "experts" that sex with a condom is "safe
sex." The truth is that it is only somewhat safer and is still
subject to many risks, including STDs. A report came out a few
weeks back showing that one in four women in America have an STD.
I don't expect this statistic to get better any time soon.
Americans are fed a constant diet of consequence free sexual escapades
on TV and movies. And then ABC has the audacity to tell us "the
right way" to teach our kids about sex from someone who is nearly a
prostitute. I'm not convinced that kids are learning the severity of the decision to have sex, even in sex ed classes.
When you teach moral
June 20, 2008 - 23:47 ET by Rush FanWhen you teach moral relativism in the schools, and parents abdicate their primary responsibilities, young adults do not have basic moral and ethical principles to fall back on. One definition of ethics is a consistent set of principles that will lead to wise choices. There is no longer black and white, good and evil, fair and unfair, sex or no sex. It just depends! That is why liberals are comfortable equating our troops killing when in war with the terrorist deliberately murdering innocent civilians. That is why the ethical fabric of our nation is in jeopardy.
Which political party is invested in our defeat in Iraq?