“The Education of Shelby Knox”
As teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease rates rise across America, we can’t help but wonder how to approach this difficult problem. Our public is divided over sex education in schools. Religious supporters want to keep it to “Abstinence Only” programming and others are asking for a “Fact Based” programming to be implemented. In the documentary film “The Education of Shelby Knox” this issue is explained.
Shelby Knox, a Texas teenager who was raised in a Baptist household with conservative parents finds herself questioning some of the teaching methods that are practiced in her school. Her school uses an “Abstinence Only” approach to teach its teens about sex education. Her church also uses this method, which is celebrated in a “True Love Waits” ceremony. During this ceremony, Knox and fellow students promise their parents that they will wait until they are married to have intercourse. Her pastor, Ed Ainsworth teaches the teens that “sex” is for dogs on the street.
In the film Knox starts questioning the information that she is presented by her elders. As a member of her local Youth Commission organization, she asks her peers to get involved and join her in a fight with the School Board. Knox gains the local medias attention and they label her as the “Sex Ed Girl”. Knox and her peers get their formal meeting with the entire school board and they plead their case.
As the film unfolds, the viewer can identify with many different opinions, but the one interesting thing about this film is the idea that a group of teenagers are aware of different opinions and options. They are not just accepting the information that is forced upon them. Then they fight. They fight for a realistic program that is more suitable for their generation. It is not everyday in America that you find such motivated young people.
Another surprising factor in this film is how accepting Knox’s parents are to her situation. They are self-proclaimed conservatives who live in a very red state and yet they are open enough to let their daughter participate in protests for sex education and gay rights. Not to mention protesting right next to her.
“The Education of Shelby Knox” is an education in itself. Viewing this film may even be a better sex education then some teens receive today. This is a very important issue that should not go unattended. Directors Marion Lipschutz and Rose Rosenblatt do a great job of tackling such a complicated subject.
Official Grades for “The Education of Shelby Knox”
Story- A
Acting- N/A
Visuals- A
Originality/ Innovation- A
Enjoyability- B+
Overall- A
|
