Americans need "sexual literacy", according to former U.S. Surgeon Generals

Are Americans in need of in-depth sexual education these days? According to two former U.S. Surgeon Generals, perhaps we are. Former Surgeon Generals Joycelyn Elders and David Satcher recently help a news conference -- based on the concept that a broad effort was needed to create and promote the "sexual literacy" of Americans.

But why? According to Satcher and Elders, more sexual education is needed to to counter unacceptable levels of sexually transmitted diseases -- or STDs -- and unplanned pregnancies. Unplanned pregnancies plague teens and young adults especially.

Elders, who was fired as U.S. Surgeon General by then-President Bill Clinton for suggesting that schools teach kids about masturbation, echoed Satcher's sentiments that education on abstinence does not go far enough. Elders went on to state that "The vows of abstinence break far more easily than latex condoms."