If so, at what grade should it start?
2006-10-08 09:17:45 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Sociology
yes but i dont think thats the schools job. parents should teach their children about sexuality. whats healthy- whats not. i dont want someone i dont really know teaching my kid anything so personal. sex is always an open discussion in my house. my kids dont even know its an issue in some households. i want to teach my kids that sex is good and healthy. i think thats too personal an issue to leave to one teacher who may or may not be having sex with who knows who and may get uncomfortable about the subject therefore giving my kids the idea that its something to be uncomfortable about.
2006-10-08 09:28:10 · answer #1 · answered by whatever 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
When my son was 3 I told him about the physical difference between boys and girls in the course of teaching him what the parts of the body are called. This is a fascinating topic to young children (well it keeps on being fascinating, doesn't it?) and I could tell he absorbed the lesson when I picked him up from pre-school a day or so afterwards. The teacher called me aside and said the class was having a discussion of Santa Claus and my son promptly pointed out that Santa has a penis and Mrs. Claus has a vagina.
My point is that children need to learn anatomy and the facts of life, but it's best if the lessons are age-appropriate because they do internalize these things and try to fit them rationally into their lives. I don't think I was wrong for teaching my son the correct words for genitalia, but if I had tried discussing sex with him at that age he would have been confused.
2006-10-08 16:34:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I must agree with "Concerned Mom". I would only add that it should start as young as needed. My daughter at age 3 wanted to know where babies come from. I sat her down with a book and explained it in a child's way but factually. I left out intercourse since se was so young but I did cover dad's sperm and mom’s egg and where the baby lives until it is born.
So depending on the age and interest and ability to understand simple concepts, I have to say it starts as soon as they ask, when they start 2nd grade (by parents) then in school before junior high.
This is something parents need their children to know and understand so they are not the kids that are amazed that...
"Susie got pregnant the first time!"..."I didn't think that could happen unless you were married!" as so often happened when I was growing up in the 60's & 70's
Open communication is a MUST between parent and child.
2006-10-08 16:38:12 · answer #3 · answered by mommakaye 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, definitely. If there was a better sex ed course throughout the country, it would help the youth tremendously. There wouldn't be such a need for abortions and unwed mothers. It's up to the parents to decide what age is appropriate. I think it should also be taught in schools, because there are parents out there that won't do this.
2006-10-08 20:19:02 · answer #4 · answered by heathermagoo13 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that it is vitally important to teach children about sexuality. The age of menses continues to drop as nutrition improves and perhaps as chemicals in the environment (such as human growth hormone) trigger sexual maturity at younger ages. If this is not accompanied by any greater understanding of what is happening and what it means in terms of interpersonal relations, then it opens the door for manipulation and dominance by those who do understand it and can use it to control.
There is a desperate attempt by certain segments of the population to continue to label this as a taboo area of discussion, but all it takes is a look at the national statistics on preteen pregnancy to see what harm ignorance can do. It isn't about teaching kids to have sex, it is teaching them about sex and how to avoid situations that would be dangerous for them. There have always been and will always be those adults and older kids willing to take advantage of those unequipped to deal with this, and as the age of menses drops this becomes an even greater problem.
2006-10-08 17:34:56 · answer #5 · answered by almethod2004 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am 34 and I was given a class about sexuality and bodily functions at 10 years old - 5th grade. It was basically a class to tell us about getting our periods, how babies are conceived, etc. It was very embarassing back then, but looking back, it was done very tastefully. I think that as parents, we should tell our children, otherwise they are going to hear about it from friends - and you know how bad kids can screw up facts!
2006-10-08 16:22:16 · answer #6 · answered by Christy 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I always believed honesty is best in dealing with children. I have a grown daughter & I think she would agree. My parents shielded me about a lot of things in our family which would have been easier for me if they had been honest. The age is a tougher question. Children mature at different rates. You don't have to be explicit to be honest. if they're ready for more info & you have opened the door, they'll ask.
2006-10-08 16:53:21 · answer #7 · answered by shermynewstart 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely it should be taught in school!!! Otherwise who knows where they will get their information? 5th or 6th grade is probably good...they are old enough that they are thinking about sex but hopefully not old enough that they have tried it yet.
2006-10-08 16:26:44 · answer #8 · answered by a.kam 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
grade 1 proper names for body parts up to grade 6 birth control in detail so they can use it and prevent unwanted child and disease. then say it again every year.
2006-10-08 17:41:45 · answer #9 · answered by nora7142@verizon.net 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
7th grade health starts in NY state
^Not fun from teachers
2006-10-08 16:19:50 · answer #10 · answered by yoyoive 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋