Why such ignorance about sex?

Question

I am stunned and amazed at the number of posts from young girls asking if they could be pregnant and how to tell if they are pregnant, when should they take a praganacy test etc, etc, etc. Why are you even having sex if you do not know the mechanics of the whole thing? Have you never read a book, have your mothers never spoken to you, did you not pay attention at school?

40 years ago we had sex education in primary (elementary?) school.

Why now are young women so ignorant of the basics?

Answer 1

Sex education in schools today is horrible. Sure, girls are given an explanation that having your period makes you a woman, and that you have to use pads and stuff, and that it's normal and natural and a part of growing up, and maybe a bit of anatomy is thrown in there. That happened around 4th or 5th grade for me. Then, in middle school, there's "sex ed" that consists of a person coming in and telling you how icky and dangerous and gross sex is. I remember the "instructor" asking for volunteers who drank a sip of water, and then spit it back into the cup, and then more people down the line did it. I thought it was horrible and irresponsible to have kids do that! Sure, it was to demonstrate that having sex with someone who had sex with a lot of people is like having sex (which is icky and nasty) with all of them, but someone could have actually gotten sick from that example! You're not taught about condoms, well, maybe they were mentioned but only in passing, grouped together with all other birth control. The emphasis was on how nasty and icky and gross sex is and that it's bad, and that you shouldn't do it. Then, you could sign a pledge card that says you'll be abstinent. I didn't sign one. Not because I was planning on having sex (I didn't have sex for many years after that, until I was out of high school!), but because I thought it was an invasion of privacy and just plain stupid to pledge to some instructor they brought in that you weren't going to have sex.

If all you're taught is that sex is icky and that you shouldn't do it, and aren't given a REAL education about the REAL dangers and ways to protect yourself, how are you going to have a clue? I only know all the things I know about sex because I have educated myself about it, mostly online. My mom didn't give me a "talk" or anything, she just asked if I had any questions, and that she knew that I had sex ed in school.

Sex education in schools needs to be accurate and complete. It's great to stress that abstinence is the best way to go, but you NEED to provide education about birth control methods, how they work, and exactly how to use a condom, including when to put it on, how to put it on, to make sure you use a new one each time, etc. They also need to educate young people about things like the myth that sperm in semen dies once it's exposed to air! I answered a question about "could I have gotten pregnant from..." and a lot of answerers were saying no, because sperm dies once it's exposed to air. That's simply not true! Those are the types of things that everyone should know! It's vital knowledge to be a responsible adult!

So, why are young women so ignorant of the basics? It's because nobody teaches them. Parents pretend that their children are perfect and innocent and would never have sex, and schools only tell you to not have sex. To help young people be prepared for real life, we need to educate them completely, not purposely keep them in the dark, thinking that they'll somehow listen and not have sex.

Answer 2

It's because the government is funding ABSTINENCE-ONLY programs now.

They go to a class called "sex ed" and are told "Don't have sex. You can get nasty diseases and get pregnant. Besides, you should wait until you're married anyway." And that's it.

My 15-year-old sister has just gone through a "sex ed" class (high school is too late ... most have already had sex) and that's all they were told. No info about condoms, birth control methods, anatomy, how you get pregnant, STDs, or relationships. Nothing. Just "sex is bad". My mother and I had to sit her down a few years ago and tell her everything else. She had "the talk" about how babies are made, but she's never learned anything about birth control or things like that. Her friends don't know either. I've driven one to Planned Parenthood for birth control pills and STD screenings after I found out she was having unprotected sex.

Well, "sex is bad" doesn't help when you're 14, your hormones are raging, your parents are at work, and your 15-year-old boyfriend (who you swear you're in love with) is pressuring you to have sex with him "just once".

That's why you see so many of those questions.

Answer 3

True.. I've come across weird questions about getting pregnant and what not. But so what if those girls want to come on here and be that way. My question is, why do people care so much about what others say or do? Especially when you don't know these girls..what's it to you? I'm positive some of you on here making comments have had unprotected sex at a young age or was somewhat naive about it when you were younger, or even some of you making comments are young yourselves. I'm 25 yrs old and having my first child. I'm still in college and working PT. It's not easy but I'm very proud of where I've put myself so far. Point is..I fricken hate it when people make comments. THAT'S ignorant. Anyway, next time you see a pregnancy question on here asked by no matter what age, just ignore it and go to the next one if it bothers you that much. You don't know these people and the stories behind their situation.

Answer 4

Good question, especially when they know that they can get pregnant yet still use no protection. I found out recently my young son who is 14 and his girlfriend were going to have sex this day, but thank goodness they were responsible and because they did not have a condom did not do anything. I was horrified at the thought of my son even considering having sex but at the same time I was just so greatful they had some common sense and did nothing.

Answer 5

Problem stems from parents thinking that we should not talk about sex in schools. If you don't know, you're ignorant. And ignorance will land you in trouble most of the time. The discussion had recently with a male friend that happens to drive a school bus, says the girls are using "Clinton sex". Oral sex, in order to avoid pregnancy. That's a good way of saying ..."NAT-C" Not According To Clinton....

Answer 6

1- Why young girls are having sex? Because they think it is "cool" and they think it is the only way to be "included" and "accepted".
2- Read a book about sex? I don't think "reading" is "cool" anymore!
3- Their moms talking to them? No way! Do parents actually put the effort to talk to their teenagers these days? It seems to me that everyday American teenagers and their parents get more and more distant from each other.
4- Why no sex education? Because then we have to admit that our kids are having sex!

Answer 7

In the US the whole idea of real world education goes right out the window. Australia is following this trend right now. That is why people are so ignorant and hooked to popular culture. It rots your brain just thinking about it.

Answer 8

I just think they are so scared and messed up by the thought of being pregnant they just need to talk. Half the time I think they already know the answer

Answer 9

Good question... I've been asking this every night I come online.
I always respond the same way- If you've had sex, you could be pregnant.

Answer 10

I work in a daycare, and today a first grader was telling a preschooler that she "tongue kissed" her boyfriend. I guess I was just lucky that my mom was responsible enough to tell me about things and not let me have "boyfriends" until I was over 16