School Newspaper Sparks Controversy Over Sex Insert

Dec. 6, 2005 — -- "One in ten teenagers have had it," "43 percent of teens see it as not as big a deal as sexual intercourse," begins a four-page article called "That Other Sex," in a high school newspaper in Columbus, Ind., which has sparked controversy in the community.

"I think the person who allowed that to go through should be dismissed by the school corporation," said resident Mike Lovelace to ABC News affiliate RTV6 in Indianapolis.

The article, written entirely by students, includes statistics, definitions and student interviews about oral sex, and the medical and psychological dangers.

One 10th-grader shrugs off his first experience of oral sex. A high school senior recounts how the whole experience made her feel used and cheap while other students talk about how they're saying no to all sex.

Columbus North's principal hesitated before allowing the article to be printed in The Triangle but said that the topic merited coverage.

"I didn't say you can't do it," Principal David Clark said. "I didn't say you shouldn't do it. I think it was a trust."

"You've got a whole generation of kids with that whole mental attitude -- well that's no big deal, we can do it," he added, explaining many teenagers' casual approach to oral sex. "There's no attachment. Let's go to lunch, let's have oral sex, let's go back to math class."

Kim Green, the adult adviser to the newspaper, agreed, saying some parents don't recognize that many kids are engaging in risky behavior and need to know the dangers.

Green reiterated that the article included many viewpoints and valuable medical information.

What do the kids think?

"More students have talked about that article than anything else the paper has written," Peter Fleming said to RTV6.

Certain school board members don't care about higher readership and want to make sure the school administration does not let similar articles appear.

As of right now, it's unlikely the school board will take action.