For Parents?

Question

I have a 9 year old daughter in 4th grade and a paper came home from the school for teaching sex education. Of course you need to either give permission for her to participate or do another study during this time. What do you think of school sex education? Of course I will do what I feel is best I just want to know if any of your children have had this class or are going to be having this class. I thought I was in Jr. High when I had a sex ed class. What are your experiences good or bad having your child have this class or do you want your child to have this class when in the 4th grade.

Answer 1

I feel that sex ed is a good thing,however I don't think that they really need to be teaching it in elementary school. That is the age if they have questions that the should be answered by the parent.In fact I think It should be talked about at home anyway no matter the age.If it must be taught in the lower grades I think it should be more about what your body is and how it works. Not about sex. In the older grades I think they should focus not only on safe sex and std{though that is a very important message} But also on feelings and how to deal with them.You can't just tell teenagers not to have sex.It's like smoking drinking or drugs.The more you say NO NO NO the more they wonder what the big deal is. I also think that they should be teaching teens that masturbation is a good and Normal way to deal with those sexual urges.Boys and girls need to know that at that age it is safer to explore ones self rather than have some one do it for you. But lets face it sooner or later their going to have sex any way so lets{parents,teachers} give them all the facts,and options they need to make a safe and informed decision.

Answer 2

Let her go, but talk to her about what they discuss in class and supplement that with your own beliefs. From what I remember from elementary school sex ed, it was more "this is what your body looks like on the inside, these are your parts, these are the boys' parts, this is how babies are made (we already knew that part), this is what menstruation is, here's some products from the company that sponsored this class time (Always, IIRC)" than anything else. Boys & girls were separated, we may have seen a few slides of STIs (I know they were shown later, too, but I'm not sure if we had those in 4th grade or 5th). Depending on your geographical location, they may get "abstinence-only" education, which has been shown to be the least effective teaching model, so definitely be prepared with your own information.

Answer 3

Boy! Are you guys clueless! My son, when in the fourth grade two years ago, had one of those sex ed classes. They talked about puberty and anatomy, but they surely did get into all the mechanics of sex, and they did also talk about mechanics of homesexuality...why it was okay, etc. This is in Oklahoma too, a fairly conservative state...bible belt and all that.

If I were you I'd talk to the teacher and ask to see the curriculum before you agree. What really ticked me off is that there were no permission slips, my son just came home and told me about it after the fact. Fortunately he already knew most of it, you can't be the oldest of seven kids and not get an understanding for what happens.

Answer 4

I had 2 friends who's parents declined the sex education class. Both of them were knocked up in high school and their parent's were shocked. They figured if they didn't know how to do it, then they wouldn't do it.

I feel knowledge is power! I would let my kids participate in a sex ed class at this age. I would also be sure to be very involved as well.

Answer 5

sex education in 4th grade doesn't mean they are going to teach them the explicit stuff. They are only going to show them about their ovaries, the x and y chromosomes and pretty much their bodies. My son already learned that and I think it was a good idea. Plus at 9 years of age some girls bodies start to develop and they can start getting their periods. I am sure you would want her to know what's going on inside her, and what can happen. So I don't think it would be a bad idea, and it can't hurt her at all to learn these thing now.

Answer 6

I was in 4th grade when I first had sex ed. My kids though are in 6th adn 7th grades and haven't had it yet. We're a military family though and move around quite a bit. It might differ from place to place. I don't if for me 4th grade is appropriate, but I think in todays day and age, 7th grade could be too late.

Best of luck with your decision making.

Answer 7

Call and ask what the course is. When my daughter was in 5th grade a note was sent home regarding a 1 day class regarding "Changing bodies" aka puberty. If that is the class, then I say let her go...girls are starting quite young these days.

Answer 8

I remember having a class similar to this when I was in 5th grade and they taught us more about puberty and that our bodies would be going through a change. They had the boys and the girls in seperate classes. I would contact the principle and ask what the content of the class will be and make your decision from there!

Answer 9

Sex education can be taught at any age, the difference is that the material is used to gear the intelligence of the grade of the students.It doesn't mean the teachers going to tell thm how to have sex. Call the teacher if you are not comfortable with your feelings.

Answer 10

My son isn't old enough for sex ed, but I remember I was in 5th grade when I had my first sex ed class. My mom came, and my friends' moms were there, and it was all very embarrassing. I did have one friend whose mom wouldn't sign it, and taught her daughter about it at home. Being a mom now, and concerned about what is being taught in schools, I've considered being like my homely friends mom and teaching my son. But, who knows.

Good luck.