Thanks to a state law enacted in 2011, public school districts across Mississippi are now required to teach some sort of sex education. But they are given only two options — abstinence only or abstinence-plus.

Abstinence only speaks for itself, while the abstinence-plus curriculum includes teaching students about contraception (without any demonstration of condoms or other methods).

The Vicksburg Warren School District chose the latter, unlike the majority of the state’s schools, which apparently believe acknowledging the existence of a condom or a birth control pill isn’t appropriate for teens.

We feel knowledge is power and teaching our young people all the facts is the only way to change Mississippi’s habit of leading the United States in teen pregnancy. While the national average is declining, Mississippi’s continues to rise. In 2010, the state reported 55 births per 1,000 were by mothers ages 15 to 19.

That’s a tragedy.

While the subject matter might make some squeamish, the fact is, teenagers are going to have sex. No amount of urging can make every teen choose abstinence until marriage.

Knowing that, supplying all the facts, options and definitely the pitfalls of sex hopefully will allow them to make smarter choices.

Ignoring the problem or denying our young people the knowledge to make informed decisions isn’t the answer and undoubtedly will lead to more of the same.