Parents and Teens, Should Sex Education be taught in Schools?

Question

I am a mom, and a college student and this question was posed to a group of college students. I am curious to the kinds of answers I get here. If you think it should, than what type of education? Abstinence, Safe sex practices, positions.... etc.

Answer 1

It should be taught and it should make people aware of what goes on with their bodies.

How many times at this site have you seen the question "Am I pregnant?"

Safe sex should be pushed, along with abstinence and that there are gays and lesbians out there.

Positions? This is why school boards go nuts when they try to have a sex ed class. Parents are afraid the kids will learn about that stuff

Answer 2

Judging by the fact that at least 5 girls in the last week didn't know that pee and babies come from different parts of your body so they believe peeing is a contraceptive YES YES YES YES YES. Parent's obviously just aren't doing to jobs (schools either for that matter).

I think all students should be taught anatomy (all of it, including reproductive) from the beginning of schooling (age appropriate of course, but really the earlier you start the less embarrassing it will be and the more kids will learn and later be able to discuss with their boyfriends/girlfriends, parents, etc.)

They should teach both birth control and how, when and why to say no. They should teach kids where they can go to get birth control. The school nurse should also have a blog where kids can post questions anonymously and get answers from a qualified person. And seeing other kids with the same questions will help kids feel normal.

All school libraries should also have good quality sex ed books, in addition they should also have pamphlets for those too embarrassed to check out a book.

And above all else STOP SEPARATING BOYS AND GIRLS FOR SEX ED!!!! Girls need to know the truth about boys and boys need to know the truth about girls. I can't tell you how many men know nothing of ovulation and pregnancy. How are boys supposed to make informed choices when they have no info and their girlfriend is telling them they won't get pregnant because of x, y, z. Or the other way, but I think most girls sex ed teach a fair bit about boy but not the other way around.

We also need to stop perpetrating the myth that childbirth is excruciatingly painful. Some women find it painful and some do not all to varying degrees. But if you are scared it only makes things worse.

Answer 3

Teaching abstinence is a joke; any idiot knows that not having sex is an effective way to not get pregnant or STDs. To even have that as an option among many is an insult to kids' intelligence - I even thought so as a ten year old nerd reading teen magazines.

Kids need real facts, like the fact that most infertility problems are caused by undiagnosed STDs that have reached their advanced stages. In my school district we have a very conservative school board that voted to get rid of sex-ed in grade seven classes the year my class would have attended it. Instead we had a voluntary seminar taught after class that we could attend with our parents. I wonder how things would have been different for some of my schoolmates if we had quality sex education that was mandatory and didn't require our parents' approval; for instance, would that girl in my class still have ended up having three abortions before she finished grade ten?

As for positions and such, I don't think North America is ready for it because conservative parents will definitely pull their children out of those classes, and so they won't be able to benefit from them. Honestly I think this is a public health issue so the only thing schools should focus on are things that relate directly to health. Namely, STD and pregnancy prevention, and a general knowledge of common STDs, their symptoms, treatments, and what will happen if you don't get them treated.

Answer 4

I answered that question too and got three thumbs down because I said that schools should teach comprehensive sex-ed. You're very correct in that it's foolish for parents not to address the subject of sex with their children. However, that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I have a lot of friends who's parents never even approach "The Talk" or anything like it simply to avoid an awkward conversation that, realistically, is necessary. This is why, in my opinion, schools feel the need to step in. Personally I don't preach abstinence, as where I'm from it's just not a common practice - Manhattan teenagers move very fast and grow up quickly. Abstinence is almost unheard of. However, my school chose to teach a combination of abstinence/comprehensive sex. They explained to us that abstinence is the safest, most responsible way of not risking pregnancy or an STD, but they also told us that it was our bodies and our decision to make. It would be irresponsible for a school to teach only abstinence. That's a personal choice and if one decides not to abstain, where would they learn the proper forms of protection? Like you mentioned, not all parents teach their kids. Schools don't "encourage" or "support" teenagers having sex, but they know that everybody is entitled to their own beliefs regarding the subject, therefore they will obviously educate about protection. I don't think a school sex ed teacher saying "if you're going to have sex, use birth control and condoms" is a moral aspect as that teacher isn't saying "go have sex" they're saying "IF you absolutely are going to have sex, do it the responsible way." Just my two cents.

Answer 5

Oh, absolutely. If it was left up to parents, I'm sure some kids wouldn't get taught anything about it at all.

The way sex education is taught in the US right now is complete rubbish, though. Politicians are letting religious views of how they want teenagers to act sexually cloud their judgement of the cold, hard facts. Those cold, hard facts are that every country that teaches comprehensive sex education (protection and STDs instead of just abstinence) has lower teen pregnancy and teen STD rates. "Just wait" is not an effective way of teaching people how to protect themselves from STDs and pregnancy.

Positions shouldn't be taught in high school; that is something for personal exploration :)

Answer 6

This is a tough question. For my children they have been getting sex education with each stage of their life. I don't believe that there is just one talk to have. It is a process. Of course there are many parents out there that can not handle talking about things like this to their kids. Hence the need for sex education in school. Abstinence and safe sex is as far as the schools should go. I know for fact my children's schools have touched on oral sex. I think that is over the line myself.

Answer 7

I believe that sex education should be taught in schools. Many parents don't bother with the subject because it's taboo or "too embarrassing" to talk about. In school the subject can be learned in a structured environment. If taught properly, the kids will know how things work biologically, and they will have a better understanding of the consequences of having sex and not protecting themselves. I see far too many young people posting on online forums (including here) asking questions like "Can you get pregnant if...?" which they should know the answers to already.

Answer 8

Yes, I am a mom and a student also. I am going to teach my daughter about sex, but it would be helpful for the school to give her more information. The more info. she has the better chance she has of protecting herself. I don't think that positions are something anyone needs to teach. They should find that out for themselves. That is what books are for. But I think that they should be taught about abstinence, and safe sex. They should be taught the consequences of sex. I think a good place for them to learn these lessons are school and at home. I don't think that a parent should neglect their responsibility to also teach their children.

Answer 9

Yes, but not in the way it is now. I don't think it's particularly effective right now, since you spend your time putting condoms on bananas and being told not to do it if at all possible. I don't think this is particularly effective. It would be better if they showed people with STDs and their testimonies and show how horrible some STDs can really be. This scare tactic would be much more effective than the current curriculum. Then preaching abstinence would be far more effective. Safe sex practices, maybe afterwards. Positions? Probably not; that would only serve to create giggles.

Answer 10

Hmm...tough question. I think I am in agreeance with teaching sex ed in schools. Not all parents are going to teach their kids about the dangers of sex, and ignorance is not going to save them from getting an STD because of it. I think they should teach abstinence as a primary focus, but also teach safe sex. Anything beyond that is not appropriate for a school setting.