Change Sex Ed!

Betarulz! · #1 12-14-2002, 12:27 AM

http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/petition/

This website has a petition urging the Federal Government to include information in birth control and contraceptives in sex ed classes.

I agree that abstinance is the surest way to prevent STD's and preganacy (duh!) but for those who are going to have sex, they need to know all the possibilities!

KillarneyRose · #2 12-14-2002, 12:33 AM

I'm really torn on this.

I personally think it is the role of the parents to teach their children about contraceptives, STDs, and all that good stuff. Plus, teachers in the public schools (bless their hearts) are already critically overburdened. Why put anything else on their plate?

But, with teenage pregnancies so widespread, it seems that many parents are not teaching their children at home. So SOMEONE should.

I'd love to hear what others think, especially the educators.

ADPiViolets · #3 12-14-2002, 03:01 AM

I feel torn about this too.

I also agree that that should be the job of the child's parent to teach their son or daughter about contraceptives.

But then, I am reminded of a story I saw on the news some time ago. In Europe, contraceptives are taught in class. In fact, condoms are even disputed in bathrooms of high schools! Now, that last part may be going to far... But then again, thats coming from someone who lives in the country with the highest rate of teen pregnancies... And Europe, if I remember correctly, has the lowest.

Lady Pi Phi · #4 12-14-2002, 03:44 AM

I'm a little confused. They don't discuss birth control in sex ed. When I took sex ed starting in grade 4 and all the way through till I graduated highschool birth control was always discussed. I find that odd. I think it schould be taught in sex education classes. It should be taught by a nurse or professional sex educator who is trained and knowledgable and not afraid to tackle the difficult questions that may arise, like some parents might have.

crystalline · #5 12-14-2002, 04:19 AM

My parents taught me absolutely nothing on the topic of sex ed. It was a "don't go there" topic. I think it is important that the students receive education in that area. It is the only way they can make educated decisions. Saying "just don't do it" just doesn't cut it, because they will do it. I did. My friends did. Out of my graduating high school class I'd say that maybe 10% were virgins. Lots of people in my class wound up dropping out due to getting pregnant. They may have done that with or without the proper birth control education, but I know they didn't get the info at school.

Munchkin03 · #6 12-14-2002, 11:50 AM

Yeah, in a perfect world, it is the parents' job to teach this sort of stuff. But we all know that we don't live in a perfect world.

I have friends, whose parents didn't breathe a WORD regarding sex, birth control, STDs, and that stuff--and where are they now? Some have kids, others have had abortions, almost all have dealt with some sort of STD. And these aren't necessarily backwoods people--one friend in particular, both of her parents are professors. Some people don't feel comfortable talking about sex, or feel like they'll learn it in school. Others feel that if they don't talk about it, then their child won't do it.

Maybe some countries in Europe have the right idea. I never understood our Puritanical heritage and how it's messed us up in so many ways. I lived in Rome, and with the Pope basically down the street, most grocery stores, drugstores, and bars (!) had condoms and other contraceptives in plain view. The Pill was much cheaper there than here, and one wouldn't have to haggle with insurance. And Italy has one of the lowest teen pregancy rates, and one of the lowest AIDS infection rates.

Kevin · #7 12-14-2002, 12:46 PM

Church is where I first heard about contraceptives, etc.. We had to take this class in the 7th grade called "Growing Up Sexually" as part of our Religous Education. It taught that abstinence is the best way but not the only way. I'm Catholic if anyone is curious as to what church.

Hootie · #8 12-14-2002, 12:49 PM

I think it's a good idea to have birth control taught in sex education. My parents taught me about the birds and the bee's at the dinner table one night in the fourth grade. Then, years later, I'm enrolled in a manditory class that makes us carry about that darn pop bottle baby.
So, in a sense I was taught
1) how people have sex
2) what each part does
3) what the results are (kids or std's)
But I wasn't taught how to prevent the result (other than abstinence). So why is it so taboo to prevent deaths (stds) and unwanted pregnancy?
I think we should learn how to use birth control properly, the types of birth control and so forth. My parent's certainly didn't tell me all about that stuff...so somebody did (I just don't remember who).

Betarulz! · #9 12-14-2002, 01:57 PM

This link from the petition page has some more info and statistics.

http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/pub...ions1203_2.htm

about 71% of kids will have had sex by the age of 18
By age 20 80% of guys and 76% of girls have had sex

I wouldn't have thought it that high, but it just shows that the vast majority us are not waiting until marriage.

I agree that parents should have an important role. However, parent's may or may not know all the options. Also who would feel comfortable talking about condom use with their parents?

And for lady PiPhi, the clairification is that like all things it depends on the school district as to what is taught. However the Federal Government has removed a lot of information on Birth Control from Center for Diesease Control databases. Other Federal suggestions have removed discussion about contraceptives in favor of "just say no" policies.

I don't mind that abstinence is being pushed #1. However, if kids are going to have sex, than I for one would prefer that my peers know what means they have to protect themselves so that they don't STD's or pregnant. I don't think that is too much to ask.

IowaHawkeye · #10 12-14-2002, 02:35 PM

my mom is an ob-gyn so my sisters and I were taught sex-ed and birth control use at an early age. I also went to an all-girls catholic high school where I was also taught sex ed and use of contreceptives - this actually surprised me with the catholic church and all, but it was a 'feminist' school where they taught women to have ultimate control of their bodies and their lives.

I think it should be taught in schools. if theyre learning it at home, great, its supplemental information. if theyre not being taught safe sex at home, this is their chance to learn and possibly save themselves from teenage pregnancy or an std. regardless, if the parents aren't teaching it - the education system will.

ADPiViolets · #11 12-14-2002, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hootie
Then, years later, I'm enrolled in a manditory class that makes us carry about that darn pop bottle baby.

LOL... Oh! That brought back memories! We had egg babies though.

aephi alum · #12 12-14-2002, 04:25 PM

Information about contraceptives should absolutely be taught in sex ed. I don't mind if abstinence is favored as the #1 method of birth control, especially for younger teens - but there are people out there who are going to have sex regardless of what they're taught, and it's not in society's best interests to deny them knowledge about, or access to, contraceptives.

I was taught about several different contraceptive methods in high school. Abstinence wasn't pushed - it was just one item on the list, although the teacher pointed out that it is the only method that provides 100% protection against pregnancy and STDs.

deltaphi94 · #13 12-14-2002, 04:42 PM

I came from one of those houses where sex was NEVER talked about. I don't think contraceptives were really covered in sex ed when I was in school, either. So, here's my take...

I think it should be the parents' responsibily to teach the children about sex, but I know there are many who won't. That means I also think it should be covered in school.

However, as I recall, my parents had to sign a release just so we could cover the reproductive organs in health class. I distinctly remember one girl in my graduating class whose mother refused to let her sit in on anything like that. Ever. I know this family -- I seriously doubt that they ever taught her anything besides "don't do that."

So, does sex ed still require a release for the students? If so, what about those students whose parents don't think it's appropriate for the school to teach contraception, yet don't teach it at home?

Rio_Kohitsuji · #14 12-14-2002, 05:18 PM

I'm kinda torn on the sex issue as well.

I was taught by my sister's about it (1 is a sex ed teacher) and my parents were really hush-hush about the entire sex subject. It was all too taboo for them.

Oh, egg babies are for wimps, I got to deal w/one of those electronic babies that monitors everything freaking little thing you do..*bitterness*

Allie · #15 12-16-2002, 09:34 PM

I work for the health department, we always promote abstinence first and foremost. But we realize that most people do become sexually active so we have seperate presentations that we do, that always reiterate abstinence, but also show them all aspects of contraceptives, from pills, to foam, film, condoms, the patch, depo, etc. And about STI's so they know what can result from sexual activity. It is meant in no way to scare the kids, but to inform them, so they can make an educated descision and a healthy one. We also have a teen clinic for ages 11-21 where they can come talk to one of us about sex and sexual activity as well as ask any questions that they wouldn't have in a classroom. We also provide free birthcontol pills and condoms if teens ask for them.l So from my view point of being a sex Ed teacher I feel like we cover all of the bases, for those who chose abstinence, and for those who chose to be sexually active.