So what's your opinion on sex education?

Well somebody had to start this thread. Apparently I like to start threads about sexuality. I guess it's good to have a personality in the forum.

So here's my opinion: I would like to see sex education part of the curriculum from the very beginning of school. Age-appropriate of course (for example, with little bitty kids you'd just teach them awareness of having a body, owning your body, etc.) And eventually over the years teach about sex, its emotional impacts, recognizing sexual feelings, different lifestyles/sexual preferences, etc. I'd like everyone to be open about sex and stop making it such a taboo topic. Make it part of education all along. I think this would help in cases of child abuse too (if a child is being sexually abused they might not even be really aware of what's happening without knowledge of sex). I think it would cut down on teen pregnancy (yes, I'd favor teaching about birth control as well as abstinence). And I also think it would help promote understanding and tolerance of different sexual lifestyles/preferences.

So that's my opinion!

Where I grew up there was NO sex education at all in the schools. And neither of my parents ever talked to me about sex (heck, my mother didn't even tell me about women's cycles!). The first time I really talked about sex was when I was 18 years old, had moved into a college dormitory and started seeing a 24-year-old guy (first time I'd even dated) who was interested in talking about sex (and/or seducing me). I doubt that's the way my parents would have wanted me to learn about it (though it was not a bad experience). Still, I was confused by sexual feelings when I was young and it would have been helpful to have some information on the subject!

Sidony

P.S. I don't think this topic is too triggering, but add the icon if you disagree.

I agree with you. I don't think that this is likely to happen, however.

Just like how it is next to impossible to run undergraduate classes in evolution by natural selection at the university of Utah it would be next to impossible to run sex ed classes in schools. Lots of people think that it is the parents job to talk to their kids about sex. Of course that typically isn't done adequately, but I think the concern is that there isn't a value neutral way of educating kids about sex.

I think there is a value neutral way of educating kids about sex. It involves presenting some of the facts (including some of the controversial facts). I've heard that condoms are a controversial issue in some parts. Some people teach kids that condoms don't prevent STD's because condoms are porous. Or they teach the failure rates of condoms without distinguishing between the people who use the condoms properly (according to the directions) and those who don't use the condoms properly. So even teaching kids about condoms and the utility of them is controversial. And as for parents who believe birth control is immoral they typically don't want their kids to be educated about birth control.

Sigh.

It is a shame really. Lack of education about birth control and the like typically results in increased rates of STD's and unwanted pregnancy. I've heard that some kids don't know that oral and %#@&#! sex counts as sex and hence they don't know that they can get STD's by way of those activities.

It is a shame.

But I don't really forsee the situation changing anytime soon...

Totally agree!

You've both stated what I pretty much have said in the posts that led to this new thread. Kids are getting false and sexist information about sex. It's not just the female's responsibility to prevent pregnancy; it's the male's as well. Condoms are not perfect; nothing is. But they will reduce your risk of getting pregnant or getting a disease significantly. Know the risks, know the information, know the precautions.

I have no problem with Sex Education in schools, for I know that I have not left my end of this subject unattended..... as the parent that should be educating my own child.

I don't think the problem is whether or not to have sex education, "everybody" is for that http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=1622610 but what to include and how to go about it and that does make a difference and might not get covered. I think what's covered, etc. though is a state-by-state and school district-by-district thing and there's nothing in place that would "standardize" things.

I had sex ed in public high school in 1967 so it is definately being taught. It's all politics. I think it's much better for concerned parents to teach what they want taught themselves. But no matter what, you can't force people to think or believe in a way they don't. You can't legislate morality.

Right. I had sex education, too. And I agree, parents should teach their kids, but since many don't, or don't always give accurate information, the schools had to take it on. It's an economic issue when teens get pregnant. Very often, they end up on welfare and government aid, so it's the taxpayers who support that child. Of course, that happens with adults, too, and I'm not putting this all on teens, or teen girls. But this is at least one of the reasons schools began teaching it.

Wow I'm glad some of the schools taught sex ed anyway. I was in junior high in the 80s and we had nothing. I guess it's because I was in a really conservative area, and the community would have frowned on it. I hope it's common most places.

Yeah, I realize it'll never be taught in a really open way. Some groups will always scream that you shouldn't teach how to use birth control etc. etc. I've never understood the desire to keep people in ignorance. They'll still make their own choices with or without the facts.

I think I'll be irritated with all of society now.

Sidony

I agree, though some won't. Most kids start hearing about sex from early grade school from friends anyways. No sense skirting around the issue. I would rather them be educated properly on the subject.

I remember having sex-ed in middle school. I remember the giggling, embarrassment, total interest, the works.

What I remember more, though, was when I was 9 or so a kid in school asked the teacher where babies came from. She went to the teacher in the adjoining classroom and they both came back and said, "whoever thinks their parents might get angry if you stay and listen, you may go outside for recess." Well, I stayed. The statement alone confused me, but I knew if it was something that might make my parents mad for me to hear, I wanted to hear it! LOL

I stayed and honest to goodness, all I got out of it was that a girl got pregnant by french kissing. I guess french kissing was the only thing my mind could comprehend? Now, of course, as an adult I wonder what the heck french kissing has to do with where babies come from. LOL No wonder it was confusing!

Well, of course that stayed with me for a while. The next year I had my first real kiss and you guessed it...he was sixteen and he french kissed me. I thought I was going to be pregnant!

I think sex-ed is so important, but in age-appropriate ways and according to a strict curriculum.

My thoughts, plus a funny story.

KD

I just remembered something about the Archie comics I used to read. They were always kissing, and even though I knew how babies were made, and about sex, it never occurred to me that teenagers did it, I don't think. I certainly didn't think about Archie and the Gang doing it. There was this one Archie comic, though, which is the point of this post, where Betty and Archie were kissing heavily, and then the door rings, and it's Jughead, and they get all embarrassed and say it's great that he showed up when he did. And then either Archie or Betty added, "...I think!" I just thought they were embarrassed to get caught kissing, but I'm pretty sure now it was that they were going to do more. It just never occurred to me. The comics were never sexual, but I think that's what they were talking about in that one.

It's weird how informed I was, yet how innocent I was at the same time.

I got sex education in school, from when I was twelve and then every year until I finished school. I live in Sweden, everyone gets sex ed here. My physics teacher even taught us how to put a condom on by using a cucumber. It was actually useful :-)

I am currently taking a class in school called Human Sexuality. The professor's goal is to raise our anxiety about sex so much that there is no place for it to go besides down-- a sort of flooding method to enable us to be comfortable in talking about sex with our patients.

You would not believe what has gone on in this class and it's only been two weeks so far, lol. It's very raw. Videos and everything. Every other word out of the professor's mouth starts with an F, lol.

But anyway, I just wanted to add that last night my professor was talking about sex education in schools.... and he said that awhile ago he was offered a position teaching a sex ed. class for high school.... the school said that he could teach about all aspects of sex.... except he wouldn't be permitted to mention abortion or birth control. He said that he couldn't abide by those regulations and decided not to take the job.

you mean french kissing doesnt lead to pregnancy?! Guess i should have had a sex education class , but with nuns teaching in the 1960's there was no way that was happening.

we had a sex ed class...but to be honest i dont remember what it was about...roflmao....i remember learning a boy doesnt look like a girl...lol...even though i already knew that...but thats really about it ...i had alot of immature class mates so saying the p*nis would make all the guys and girls laugh histerically..i couldnt find what was soo funny...but i do remember a guy teacher i had one time was talking about sex education and i remembered a moment where i walked in on my mom and dad and i turned bright red and the teacher commented thinking i was embarressed by the convo when in fact i was embarressed by the thought of walking in.....roflmao..and then every time after that he looked at me and said....brace yourself i might say something embarressing to you...which now that i think about it wasnt exactly funny since he didnt pick on anyone else about it ..but oh well..thats my whatever you call this post...

Education play most important role in our life either it is traditional education or it is sex education. Both are important but it is important how we educate our children. In this modern society there is nothing untouched to our new generation which you can hide. If you don't tell them they will know from online and you can't stop them. The main different is that if they know himself through online education (you know what I mean) it can be dangerous sometimes but at the same time if we as a parent or teacher educate them in a different way that can be helpful for our children future. That's why I totally agreed online shows on sex education. So keeping a positive attitude is important to educate our next generation.

I am 44 and had sex ed starting in 5th grade. My kids are 23,19 and 16 and had basic sex ed in 8th grade and then junior and senior years it get more intricate. As a parent though its my job to make sure they know what they need to know. I told all my kids to come to me if they were considering sex. Its more important to me that they get protective healthcare than worry about them doing it because it makes me uncomfortable. This is why when my 19 had a steady BF I put her on birth control and why when my newly 16 year old came to me and reminded me of what I always told my kids- I got her on birth control as well. I have a boy and two girls and I heavily stress the importance of both partner using protection to avoid pregnancy and disease. If anything there needs to be parental sex ed to teach parents that are too ashamed or uptight to talk to their kids about their healthcare. Acceptance does not mean approval and having your kid on birthcontrol does not encourage them to have sex. My one daughter told me later that she was doing it before birth control because she was afraid I would be mad at her. Do I want my kids having a sex life that seems casual? Not really but I definitely do not want any grandchildren or life changing chronic health and reproductive issues for them.