Whose job is it to teach children about sex?

Question

Is it the parents responsibility or the government? Also what age is appropriate?

So far a lot of good answers.
Good Lib, you need help.

Answer 1

It is my job to teach my kids about sex. It is not the governments job. As to when it is appropriate I believe that if you are being an involved parent you are teaching them about sex as the questions come up and that differs which each child and their experiences or peer group.

Answer 2

The majority, especially the morals and values end of it, is the PARENTS' job.
Schools should just provide medically accurate information, not opinions.
It should be gently spoon fed in an age appropriate manner, whenever a child asks.

I see nothing wrong with telling a 3 - 5 year old that "a baby grows in a special place in a mommy's body", and leaving it at that when they ask.

If the parent is too embarrassed to explain when you get to the nitty-gritty info when they are older, that's what a basic family medical book is for!!

Parents just need to be their child's best source of information, no matter how embarrassing the question. Because if your kids aren't coming to you about it, they probably aren't getting it from a source you want them to... like the internet or their more "experienced" friends.

Answer 3

Parents, absolutely. No government,school, etc has the right to decide when and how your child is taught about sex. Different people have different views on sex, so teaching a child about it needs to be left up to the parent. As far as age goes, I think that depends on the child, and the parents. It depends on when the parents feel comfortable telling their kids about sex, and if the kid is mature enough to understand.

Answer 4

It is the Parents job! The age depends on the child. Each child is different. The government should not be a surrogate Mom or Dad.

Answer 5

It's the responsibility of the parents or guardian, to teach adolescents as young as 13 years of age, on how to protect themselves from contracting AIDS, HIV or STD's and the many options birth control methods. Many high schools offer sex education classes, there's counseling for students available.

Answer 6

Lotus hit it on the head.. it should be the parents, but the parents fail at this. It is a very important subject.. and if the parents aren't stepping up to the plate..somebody has to. The same with drugs.. parents aren't teaching their children about drugs because most dont want to be hypocrites.. too many smoke pot, drink, and party.. how do you tell your kids to stay off pot when you can't wait to put them to sleep so you can pull out the bong?

Answer 7

The parents. There is a long list of things the government should not be involved in.
The appropriate age depends on the child an no one knows the child better than the parents.

Answer 8

The parents. You should answer their questions as they come up but don't overload them with info. I think that upper elementary age level is a good time for the whole body change talk and prepping for the the sex talk. But, children mature at different ages and you have to decide what is best for your children.

Answer 9

The parents. Parebts need to take responsibility. They had the child but all too often they want the Government to raise them. The church also helps with the moral aspect. Something I don't want Lib teachers doing. I don't want my children being taught that Homosexuality is ok.

Answer 10

Parents. The age to learn about it is up to the parents....after all, the parents had the children, not the government.