At what grade level do you think should schools include sex education in their students' curriculum?

Answer 1

In the public school system I attended, we had the "Your body is changing talk" during 5th grade, especially after several of the girls started their first cycle. Some of their parents refused to talk to them about it, and one girl was told that she was bleeding because she had sinned. Parents are not always the most sane of resources, however much we wish they were.

In 6th grade, Health class focused on body parts and their functions. It also split the sexes up for discussions on body changes. However, throughout 6-8 grade health class, we were never exposed to what exactly happens during sex nor safe sex practices. The teachers only mumbled "If you have sex, use a condom" but otherwise we were in the dark.

My town has a very large Southern Baptist influence. While I won't say this is necessarily a bad thing, I do think that it leaves something to be desired in the way we teach our children. Children are naturally curious about things, especially their bodies. When a parent fails to tell them necessary information or misinforms them, a bad example has been set for that child which will likely be passed down to their children.

I know that there was a lot of misinformation that resulted from a lack of proper sex-ed. While it is good to teach of the importance of abstinence, doing so without teaching proper sex ed, like the use of prophylaxis, can hinder the student well into their future marriages.

Personally, I'd rather the child receive the information in middle school and a "your changing body talk" during 5th grade so that they know what's going on and can protect themselves from unfortunate things. Turning a blind eye to the subject leaves children in the dark.

Answer 2

i'd say around 8 or 9 grade. 8 graders may still be the giggling type though. 9 would understand more and listen to it more. 10 grade is too late. First time I had sex was in the middle of 10 grade. In my school they generally start talking about sexual diseases and such in 4 or 5 grade if i remeber right. This past year in 10 grade they didnt mention really anything about sex or sexual diseases. 9 grade is when they really talked about it most to us. It wasent a full sexual education course though, it was health class but close enough. I also think schools though should have condom machines in them in the bathrooms or they should be able to go somewhere into the school to get them. If they really want us to be safe they should show us first hand and sell them right there. But basically for the most part they just kept talking about abstinence. Now really these days who really listens to that??

Answer 3

In a perfect world, when children start getting curious (about age 3-5), their parents should be giving them age-appropriate, honest answers.

This isn't a perfect world.

That being said, children need to know about sex earlier than we'd like to think. Think about where you first learned about sex--it's usually misinformation from peers.

I would think that 6th grade might even be too late; kids are experimenting with sex earlier and earlier.

From the amount of completely clueless questions about sex on this site, I would say that schools and/or parents aren't doing their job. It's our responsibility to make sure kids are educated, to keep them safe from STDs and unwanted pregnancy.

Answer 4

6th grade. Though, I already knew about all that stuff when I was in the 5th grade haha. but I think its nessesary because sometimes parents never even talk about that stuff, for instance, my parents NEVER, EVER had the "talk" with me. So I found out from other people. I ended up finding out false information from my friends. So I think its important for an educated person to inform children of the risks of sex.

Answer 5

I Believe that sex education should be taught to children the sooner the better. To wait until they are older and more mature is where i believe a lot of problems occur. Sex education, is not something that you have to be old enough to get these lessons, I know children learn fast, they can comprehend learning about reproduction , and there are so many ways to make them, aware, and the kids wont giggle, they will be interested, and curios, ,
MY POINT IS: we teach children to swim form infancy, to do sports, play instruments, and childre can operate computers, tv, games, at extreemly young age, it is not that hte kids can handle or understand , it is the adults who have so many ideas of what is appropriate, IFchildren were taught as they learned to communicate, remember, think, and form ideas and remember, why should they not be told about sex educaton,, learn it is part of life, and the cycle of changes males and females experience.

Answer 6

Back in the early 80's, we got to watch "the movie" when we were in 5th or 6th grade(they only showed it every other year.)

This was followed by Health class in 7th grade (taught by the gym teacher) where we learned about everything from first aid to anatomy...and the biological description of the sex act where "the male places his penis into the woman's vagina..." (and death to anyone who dared to smile or look remotely amused by the topic.)

But unfortunately, with all the nut jobs in the world these days, we have to start teaching about it much much sooner - so we are sure our kids aren't being molested by their daycare teachers or priests.....

Answer 7

Ideally, it wouldn't be until 9th grade. But with the number of young kids having sex today, I would say about 6th or 7th grade.

Answer 8

6th grade. This is the time that the kids are going through a lot of changes. Better that they learn it from school than from the Internet or from their older friends.

Answer 9

Well, the age kid's are starting to have sex now is somewhere around age 9, so I think age 7, that way you tell them BEFORE they do it.........Some kid's don't know and have never been taught, so that's how they find out, experimentation.

Answer 10

When the girls are between the age of 11 and 13.. Boys same age range. Those are the ages when they go through tremendous hormonal changes... and least make them understand that those are normal.