Controversy over lecture on AIDS

April 1987

Some parents of students at Wexford Vocational Students have said they are unhappy with plans by the school to host a lecture to educate students there on the dangers of AIDS.

The mother of one Fifth Year student contacted this newspaper to register her concern, saying she felt that talking about the issues involved ‘would send out the wrong message to young people’.

‘I expect they will be talking about condoms, about having sex with more than one partner outside of marriage, and probably even about homosexual sex too,’ she said. ‘ This will make the students believe that such things are normal, and should be accepted. I do not think that is right. The students are only children, after all,’ she maintained.

The woman, who did not wish to be named in the newspaper, said she knows that ‘several’ other parents of students at the school feel the same way as she does.

However, she had not contacted the school to register her concerns herself, and was unaware if any other parent had done so either.

Her concerns came in the same week as the Town of Wexford Vocational Committee heard of the plans for the lecture, at their monthly meeting.

CEO, Terry McDermott, said the Department of Education has requested that all students be informed of this vital issue before leaving the second level cycle.

He added however that those who do not wish their children to attend the lecture can opt out, and other arrangements will be made for them at the time the lecture is taking place.

Labour councillor Helen Corish said at the meeting that she felt there should be a lot more information about AIDS broadcast by RTE too.

The adverts currently being shown should be shown more often, and they should be shown during programmes like ‘Dallas’ and ‘Dynasty’ too.

These programmes were ‘constantly’ portraying immoral conduct, and if people were to be tempted into following these examples, they should at least be informed of the dangers involved, she said.