The sample sex education curriculum that our state representative, Peggy Bennett, called “pornography” is nothing of the sort. I now have a copy of “It’s Perfectly Normal,” and I’ll bring it to the public bench on the corner of Broadway and Fountain from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday so any parents and other voters who are interested in seeing it can look through it. Again, it’s recommended for ages 10 through 16.

One of Bennett’s supporters on this issue, Julie Hendrickson, claimed in a letter to the editor May 15 that I think this book is “appropriate for children of any age.” That is a fabrication, but it’s hardly surprising she has this misperception, since Bennett asserted without evidence that the proposed sample curriculum would be “pushed down” to children as young as preschool.

The gap between reality and misinformation is wide here, and it’s detrimental for our students.

Furthermore, a majority of high school students have viewed actual pornography, which has proliferated on the internet, even if they haven’t had sex. Watching and downloading pornography has personal, social and potentially legal ramifications that students should receive practical education about. Sexting is also risky, and the book addresses these issues.

Having a state representative (a retired public school teacher, no less) who believes an award-winning sex education book aimed at pre-adolescents and teens is “pornography” is an impediment to keeping up with the important task of providing relevant, comprehensive sex education to our students in the information age.

Jennifer Vogt-Erickson

Albert Lea