Should sex be taught to children?

K.Snyder
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Should sex be taught to children?

Post by K.Snyder »

Should sex be taught to children?

I personally feel that children should not be taught sex and should learn for themselves.

I understand stressing the importance of not having children at a very young age but I've always liked girls and assume I have since conception. I wasn't taught about sex, to a very large extent, so I don't understand it when I see parents trying to have "the talk", I quite simply don't get it.
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Post by Ahso! »

What do you mean, K? Are you asking whether or not sex education should be part of the school curriculum? Could you clarify the inquiry?
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Post by K.Snyder »

Robert J;1261890 wrote: What do you mean, K? Are you asking whether or not sex education should be part of the school curriculum? Could you clarify the inquiry?


Sorry...

I mean, in general, whether or not the act of sex should be taught to children. I do believe it's important to teach children about their biological make up and the health aspect of sex, but not the act itself.

I feel children should learn for themselves about sex.
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Post by K.Snyder »

I'm starting to realize I hadn't been bothered with the trivialities of sex at a young age.
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Post by Saint_ »

K.Snyder;1261891 wrote: Sorry...

I mean, in general, whether or not the act of sex should be taught to children. I do believe it's important to teach children about their biological make up and the health aspect of sex, but not the act itself.


Actually K, it is virtually impossible to teach about the biology of sexuality, without the children connecting the dots from the pictures, even if you use the perennial "cutaway view."

Add to that the fact that nearly every child above the age of 11 has seen internet pornography by now, and it's all a really moot point. The statement, "Let them learn for themselves is equally dangerous in that they will learn all right... all the wrong things for all the wrong reasons, mixed in with preconceptions, half-truths, and flat out wrong information. (For example: "You can't get a girl pregnant if you pull out before orgasm.)

The schools use a curriculum now that is very similar to the one used in the 1970s that teaches all the biology and mechanics, but adds in responsibility training, and socio-psychological aspects. (By that I mean, understanding teenage body-image issues and their impact on behavior.)

Bottom line: Never leave things up to the children themselves, and make sure that you are open, honest, caring, and responsible when teaching this. Schools also makes sure to teach this in segregated classes for the very reason that 75% of all decisions made by teens are made with fear of embarrassment as a factor. Boys alone with a male teacher will ask more questions and so will girls with a female teacher.
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Post by Ahso! »

K.Snyder;1261892 wrote: I'm starting to realize I hadn't been bothered with the trivialities of sex at a young age.What are the trivialities of sex and at what age is sex trivial other than under the age of say 12 or so for most. your statement seems to indicate that awareness occurs prior to hormonal activation.

Perhaps I mis-understood your comment?

Saint makes some very valid points.
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Post by K.Snyder »

Saint_;1261898 wrote: The statement, "Let them learn for themselves is equally dangerous in that they will learn all right... all the wrong things for all the wrong reasons, mixed in with preconceptions, half-truths, and flat out wrong information. (For example: "You can't get a girl pregnant if you pull out before orgasm.)You can't say that at all! I hadn't learned "all the wrong things for all the wrong reasons, mixed in with preconceptions, half-truths, and flat out wrong information. (For example: "You can't get a girl pregnant if you pull out before orgasm.)"! You think telling stories of "Birds and Bees" prevents this?

Saint_;1261898 wrote:

The schools use a curriculum now that is very similar to the one used in the 1970s that teaches all the biology and mechanics, but adds in responsibility training, and socio-psychological aspects. (By that I mean, understanding teenage body-image issues and their impact on behavior.)

Bottom line: Never leave things up to the children themselves, and make sure that you are open, honest, caring, and responsible when teaching this. Schools also makes sure to teach this in segregated classes for the very reason that 75% of all decisions made by teens are made with fear of embarrassment as a factor. Boys alone with a male teacher will ask more questions and so will girls with a female teacher.


Context: Adolescent pregnancy, birth, abortion and sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates are much higher in the United States than in most other developed countries.

Methods: Government statistics or nationally representative survey data were supplemented with data collected by private organizations or for regional or local populations to conduct studies of adolescent births, abortions, sexual activity and contraceptive use in Canada, the United States, Sweden, France and Great Britain.

Results: Adolescent childbearing is more common in the United States (22% of women reported having had a child before age 20) than in Great Britain (15%), Canada (11%), France (6%) and Sweden (4%); differences are even greater for births to younger teenagers. A lower proportion of teenage pregnancies are resolved through abortion in the United States than in the other countries; however, because of their high pregnancy rate, U.S. teenagers have the highest abortion rate. The age of sexual debut varies little across countries, yet American teenagers are the most likely to have multiple partners. A greater proportion of U.S. women reported no contraceptive use at either first or recent intercourse (25% and 20%, respectively) than reported nonuse in France (11% and 12%, respectively), Great Britain (21% and 4%, respectively) and Sweden (22% and 7%, respectively).

Conclusions: Data on contraceptive use are more important than data on sexual activity in explaining variation in levels of adolescent pregnancy and childbearing among the five developed countries; however, the higher level of multiple sexual partnership among American teenagers may help explain their higher STD rates.http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3324401.html

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Post by Ahso! »

Perhaps 'birds and bees' metaphor has lost its luster.
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Should sex be taught to children?

Post by K.Snyder »

Robert J;1261909 wrote: What are the trivialities of sex and at what age is sex trivial other than under the age of say 12 or so for most. your statement seems to indicate that awareness occurs prior to hormonal activation.

Perhaps I mis-understood your comment?

Saint makes some very valid points.


I remember being in pre-school and I fell in love with a girl with black shining:yh_love curly hair. She wore fluffy dresses with silk stockings:yh_love and those black shiny shoes with the single white stripe across them:yh_love, you remember those?

You don't need to teach a child about sex!
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Post by K.Snyder »

Sorry I suppose where we're having trouble is in how we define "children" here!

My suggestion is we don't need to teach children about sex below the age of 12.

The rest having to do more so about STD's and so forth...Keep it biological!
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Post by Odie »

kids should be taught in school and at home.

one main reason and the most important is safe sex and all the reasons why.

especially nowadays where STD are very common.



did you know that herpes can show up much later, even 15 years after having sex with someone who passed it on to you?

Some blame their partners, but this isn't always true.

Kid shouldn't have to learn on their own or the streets what it means and when its right.
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Post by Ahso! »

K.Snyder;1261925 wrote: I remember being in pre-school and I fell in love with a girl with black shining:yh_love curly hair. She wore fluffy dresses with silk stockings:yh_love and those black shiny shoes with the single white stripe across them:yh_love, you remember those?

You don't need to teach a child about sex!you don't need to teach a child about sexual attraction, but having sexual relations is a different animal all together. I had strong feelings for girls starting at the age of about 12 or 13 but I wasen't thinking about where it goes, I was just totally overwhelmed with desire.
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Post by Ahso! »

Odie;1261928 wrote: kids should be taught in school and at home.

one main reason and the most important is safe sex and all the reasons why.

especially nowadays where STD are very common.



did you know that herpes can show up much later, even 15 years after having sex with someone who passed it on to you?

Some blame their partners, but this isn't always true.

Kid shouldn't have to learn on their own or the streets what it means and when its right.Good point.
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Post by K.Snyder »

Robert J;1261929 wrote: you don't need to teach a child about sexual attraction, but having sexual relations is a different animal all together. I had strong feelings for girls starting at the age of about 12 or 13 but I wasen't thinking about where it goes, I was just totally overwhelmed with desire.


How much were you "overwhelmed"?
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Post by kayleneaussie »

I am a bit confused about what you mean about teaching children about sex....



First of all I have 4 grown up children and I spoke each of them about sex and how you become pregnant, about std etc and with the boys the same and what to expect in pubity....I think sex education from the parent to a child is very important as the things kids learn from their friends are sometimes totally wrong....

If its the actual sex act you are talking about, no i didnt cover that as thats their decision on how to do it...

Birds and the bees sex talk....ummmmmmm think we are a bit more educated now than that ;):D
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Post by K.Snyder »

kayleneaussie;1261932 wrote: I am a bit confused about what you mean about teaching children about sex....



First of all I have 4 grown up children and I spoke each of them about sex and how you become pregnant, about std etc and with the boys the same and what to expect in pubity....I think sex education from the parent to a child is very important as the things kids learn from their friends are sometimes totally wrong....

If its the actual sex act you are talking about, no i didnt cover that as thats their decision on how to do it...

Birds and the bees sex talk....ummmmmmm think we are a bit more educated now than that ;):D


What I mean is that at a certain age children won't understand what one wishes to teach them in the same way at another age one should already know what you think they might not.
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Post by Ahso! »

K.Snyder;1261931 wrote: How much were you "overwhelmed"?slobberingly (can I say that?) overwhelmed :)
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Post by K.Snyder »

Robert J;1261937 wrote: slobberingly (can I say that?) overwhelmed :)


"slobberingly overwhelmed" to the point you'd completely ruin what you'd "learned"?
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Post by Ahso! »

K.Snyder;1261938 wrote: "slobberingly overwhelmed" to the point you'd completely ruin what you'd "learned"?Ah, now I see your point.

Way back then when I was in 6th grade, how old is a child in 6th grade? I don't remember. 11 or 12 I'm thinking.

This guy and his brother had found their fathers porn movies (reel to reel stuff) when very young. In 6th grade Gary brought me into the bathroom to show me his penis of which he was very proud, and rightfully so as I look back. Me, I had no idea what the hell he was doing and thinking, I was a total goof about the subject. Gary's girlfriend was pregnant by 7th grade.

OTOH, his brother who was I think one year older seemed totally aloof concerning sex, and they both watched the movies.

Had Gary had some formal education concerning what he was watching and been informed of the consequences of sexual relations at such a young age, would it have made a difference? Got me! I don't know. But its interesting that he and Michael went such opposite ways with the same exposure.

I think its better to go cautiously.
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Post by Odie »

Robert J;1261930 wrote: Good point.


damn right it is.
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Post by Ahso! »

kayleneaussie;1261932 wrote: I am a bit confused about what you mean about teaching children about sex....



First of all I have 4 grown up children and I spoke each of them about sex and how you become pregnant, about std etc and with the boys the same and what to expect in pubity....I think sex education from the parent to a child is very important as the things kids learn from their friends are sometimes totally wrong....

If its the actual sex act you are talking about, no i didnt cover that as thats their decision on how to do it...

Birds and the bees sex talk....ummmmmmm think we are a bit more educated now than that ;):DGreat points. Thanks for sharing your experiences, kaylene.
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Post by flopstock »

My 10 year old daughters class was kept in from recess one day last spring to discuss the changes that would be coming to their bodies in the next year or two. Boys and girls together hearing about menstruation, adams apples, hair popping up all over the place, acne and boobs popping up unexpectedly and emotions. It was explained that as worried as they may become that stuff was happening to them that has never happened to a normal boy or girl, it was okay to talk about it and ask questions - it really is happening all around them. It's normal and okay.



She was torn between being excited at the notion of being mature and petrified at the notion of being mature.



She already understood the sex part ..... grandparents have a farm and raise pigs and cows, don't ya know..:D
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kayleneaussie;1261932 wrote: I am a bit confused about what you mean about teaching children about sex....



First of all I have 4 grown up children and I spoke each of them about sex and how you become pregnant, about std etc and with the boys the same and what to expect in pubity....I think sex education from the parent to a child is very important as the things kids learn from their friends are sometimes totally wrong....

If its the actual sex act you are talking about, no i didnt cover that as thats their decision on how to do it...

Birds and the bees sex talk....ummmmmmm think we are a bit more educated now than that ;):D


Same.

I think the parents should be the ones to tell their children.

I have also done the same with our grandchildren,as soon as they turned 13 they got the talk. They can come & ask questions any time they wish.And they do.

As for the act itself ,no didn't go there as they have & will have to work all that out for themselves;):-6
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Post by Odie »

flopstock;1261947 wrote: My 10 year old daughters class was kept in from recess one day last spring to discuss the changes that would be coming to their bodies in the next year or two. Boys and girls together hearing about menstruation, adams apples, hair popping up all over the place, acne and boobs popping up unexpectedly and emotions. It was explained that as worried as they may become that stuff was happening to them that has never happened to a normal boy or girl, it was okay to talk about it and ask questions - it really is happening all around them. It's normal and okay.



She was torn between being excited at the notion of being mature and petrified at the notion of being mature.



She already understood the sex part ..... grandparents have a farm and raise pigs and cows, don't ya know..:D


It is normal and okay. My mom had the same talk with me when I was 10, and when I turned 11, menstruation started at school, I did panic, then I remembered what mom had told me, and I felt so relaxed and happy as I knew I was growing up.
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Post by Ahso! »

flopstock;1261947 wrote: My 10 year old daughters class was kept in from recess one day last spring to discuss the changes that would be coming to their bodies in the next year or two. Boys and girls together hearing about menstruation, adams apples, hair popping up all over the place, acne and boobs popping up unexpectedly and emotions. It was explained that as worried as they may become that stuff was happening to them that has never happened to a normal boy or girl, it was okay to talk about it and ask questions - it really is happening all around them. It's normal and okay.



She was torn between being excited at the notion of being mature and petrified at the notion of being mature.



She already understood the sex part ..... grandparents have a farm and raise pigs and cows, don't ya know..:DI'm thinking that my first formal school type of sex education happened in 7th grade in science. As I remember, it was a rather progressive minded science related subject matter. i do remember the teacher (female) encouraging all of us the go home and stand in front of the mirror naked and really look at ourselves. I think that was the first time I thought my eyesight was deficient :).
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Post by K.Snyder »

Robert J;1261943 wrote: Had Gary had some formal education concerning what he was watching and been informed of the consequences of sexual relations at such a young age, would it have made a difference? Got me! I don't know. But its interesting that he and Michael went such opposite ways with the same exposure.

I think its better to go cautiously.


Well if that doesn't prove my point I don't know what will!

Kids will do as their intelligence permits. There's no way anyone can tell me teaching that kid about sex would have changed his actions. Kids know about sex. They know about it so much it doesn't matter what anyone does. Moral values on the other hand will prevent things such as getting girls pregnant in the seventh grade. But if a "child" can have sex all the while supporting his girlfriend/wife along with their child and steadily working to ultimately achieve their goals in life in the same instance knowing their goals in life, if it were my child they could have sex at :lips:n 12! So long as they had their own place. Obviously I don't believe my child would be that mature to handle all of that. Kids will do what they do. "The schools use a curriculum now that is very similar to the one used in the 1970s that teaches all the biology and mechanics, but adds in responsibility training, and socio-psychological aspects." seems to have no affect on today's society in America as shown by the article I'd presented so how can't " (...understanding teenage body-image issues and their impact on behavior.)" not serve to romanticize sex?

Kids will have sex regardless of sex ed. Why? Because kids know about sex! That's why everyone's pregnant!
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Post by Ahso! »

K.Snyder;1261954 wrote: Well if that doesn't prove my point I don't know what will!

Kids will do as their intelligence permits. There's no way anyone can tell me teaching that kid about sex would have changed his actions. Kids know about sex. They know about it so much it doesn't matter what anyone does. Moral values on the other hand will prevent things such as getting girls pregnant in the seventh grade. But if a "child" can have sex all the while supporting his girlfriend/wife along with their child and steadily working to ultimately achieve their goals in life in the same instance knowing their goals in life, if it were my child they could have sex at :lips:n 12! So long as they had their own place. Obviously I don't believe my child would be that mature to handle all of that. Kids will do what they do. "The schools use a curriculum now that is very similar to the one used in the 1970s that teaches all the biology and mechanics, but adds in responsibility training, and socio-psychological aspects." seems to have no affect on today's society in America as shown by the article I'd presented so how can't " (...understanding teenage body-image issues and their impact on behavior.)" not serve to romanticize sex?

Kids will have sex regardless of sex ed. Why? Because kids know about sex! That's why everyone's pregnant!Pretty bold statement, K.
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Post by K.Snyder »

Robert J;1261955 wrote: Pretty bold statement, K.


Moral values is what's important.

Sex is the scapegoat.
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Post by Ahso! »

K.Snyder;1261957 wrote: Moral values is what's important.

Sex is the scapegoat.Moral values?

I can see discretion as the lesson learned here.

What is immoral about sex?
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Post by K.Snyder »

Robert J;1261959 wrote: Moral values?

I can see discretion as the lesson learned here.

What is immoral about sex?


Well nothing so long as those having sex can provide for a healthy life for all involved.

Parents should teach morality which leads to excellent decision making.

Schools should teach children about biology and their bodies. By all means do it in a gender based construction!

Kids know more than most parents give them credit for.

We see no signs of sex ed working because it's up to the parents to instill moral values that lead up to the decisions having been made. Kids are going to have sex. Did "you" like the idea of sex? Did "you" know you could get pregnant?

Everyone knew about sex as a kid.

Moral values in the home decreases teen pregnancy not sex ed
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Post by K.Snyder »

by Valentine Logar

Lets call it Life Education rather than Sex Education. When we call it Sex Education many people get their backs up. But Life Education would be a more appropriate term for what needs to be taught starting at a very young age. We should not fool ourselves young people know about sex they know the basics and in many cases they are participating in sexual activities long before they are emotionally ready for the consequences of their choices. If we continue to bury our heads in the sand then we will fail our children in and of course their children, our grandchildren.

Life Education what is this and what would be the content of a course in life. It would first have to be a continuing education course that would be structured to be age appropriate. The Life Education course would need to work with young people to dispel rumors, media hype, and schoolyard misinformation in a manner that would provide them with fact based biological knowledge of their bodies, that would be the first step. Children, as they mature need information. Parents are responsible for the moral and ethical education. Churches are responsible for furthering this moral education with their messages of abstinence and marriage first. Educators are responsible for providing facts.

My plan would be very simple and very simple to implement. At every stage of the process parents could opt their child out of the education process. I believe strongly that parents must be part of their child's education so if a parent has a moral issue with their child learning fact based biology, fact based Life Education they should not sign the consent form for their child to attend these courses. Here is my approach to Life Education for young people.

1. Fifth / Sixth Grade (age 10-11): Biology Class of Human Sexual Maturity taught gender segregated. This class is taught to ensure that boys and girls know what is happening to their bodies and make them sensitive to each other.

2. Middle School (age 12-15): Human Biology (7th Grade), Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Prevention (8th Grade), Human Sexuality and Behavior (9th grade): I would like to add to this list a course on responsible decision-making, childcare, and what we use to call Home Economics for all ninth graders. My Home Economics would focus on the cost of bad decisions including having a child before graduating high school.

3. High School (age 15-18): Advanced Biology, Advanced Human Sexuality and Gender Roles, Advanced Home Economics and Life Sciences: All courses to be the final building blocks of what has been taught previously. No course would provide moral or ethical frameworks only scientific and factual information. Home Economics would focus on managing household finances and decision-making based on different choices open to students. Life Sciences and Advanced Sexuality would indeed discuss birth control methods and safe sex versus abstinence.

By the time young people enter High School they have been exposed to sex in the media, and usually within their own peer group. Some of their friends may have already had a child or at the least a pregnancy scare. Many young people will be struggling with their own sexual and gender identity. School, especially public should be a place of learning and life preparation. By providing age appropriate information to our children we are potentially providing them with options and a way to make better choices. Religious based morals do not belong in public education. We can see clearly that the past seven years of Abstinence only education hasn't worked. Something different needs to be tried. Debate: Should teens have sex education in schools? - Helium

Any thoughts?
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Post by Bryn Mawr »

K.Snyder;1261927 wrote: Sorry I suppose where we're having trouble is in how we define "children" here!

My suggestion is we don't need to teach children about sex below the age of 12.

The rest having to do more so about STD's and so forth...Keep it biological!




Here is the nub of the problem - what do you mean by children.

Certainly agree that below ten is too soon and after twelve is too late but I do believe that between those ages it is essential to teach the children, no so much the mechanics of sex but the responsibilities and potential pitfalls involved.
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Post by K.Snyder »

Bryn Mawr;1261970 wrote: Here is the nub of the problem - what do you mean by children.

Certainly agree that below ten is too soon and after twelve is too late but I do believe that between those ages it is essential to teach the children, no so much the mechanics of sex but the responsibilities and potential pitfalls involved.


Well, I agree with that with the emphasis more so on the biological part of it. STD's and the percentages of one potentially getting them and obviously enough material to turn most into nuns and hermits!

My emphasis being in teaching the children about morality, from which serves to hold true regardless of those teaching it and their recognizing it, leading up to responsible choices regardless as to whether or not the "problem" is sex at all.

When that's established "Sex ed" becomes moot in the least.
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Post by Ahso! »

K.Snyder;1261961 wrote: Well nothing so long as those having sex can provide for a healthy life for all involved.

Parents should teach morality which leads to excellent decision making.

Schools should teach children about biology and their bodies. By all means do it in a gender based construction!

Kids know more than most parents give them credit for.

We see no signs of sex ed working because it's up to the parents to instill moral values that lead up to the decisions having been made. Kids are going to have sex. Did "you" like the idea of sex? Did "you" know you could get pregnant?

Everyone knew about sex as a kid.

Moral values in the home decreases teen pregnancy not sex edThats not a moral argument in my view, K. Thats a reason to teach discretion. Lets say a young person has been left a large sum of money or has a family that is willing to lend support for the birth of babies from young children, and comes from a beckground that treats the notion as part of their religion, is it then still immoral?
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities,”

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Should sex be taught to children?

Post by Saint_ »

K.Snyder;1261927 wrote: Sorry I suppose where we're having trouble is in how we define "children" here!

My suggestion is we don't need to teach children about sex below the age of 12.

The rest having to do more so about STD's and so forth...Keep it biological!


I'd like to add that not only is sex education important at a younger age than ever before, relationship education is even more important .

K, trust me when I say I am much more in touch with what is happening with today's youth than you are, you see... I deal with them on a daily basis. We've got pregnant 12 year-olds all over the place.

America has 'sexed-up her children,(See: Jon-Benet Ramsey) and now we can't figure out why pregnancy rates have skyrocketed. The teen pregnancy rate in New Mexico is currently 50%. And 50% of those babies will be born into poverty.

Someone had better say something!
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Saint_;1262169 wrote: I'd like to add that not only is sex education important at a younger age than ever before, relationship education is even more important .



K, trust me when I say I am much more in touch with what is happening with today's youth than you are, you see... I deal with them on a daily basis. We've got pregnant 12 year-olds all over the place.



America has 'sexed-up her children,(See: Jon-Benet Ramsey) and now we can't figure out why pregnancy rates have skyrocketed. The teen pregnancy rate in New Mexico is currently 50%. And 50% of those babies will be born into poverty.



Someone had better say something!
Are you suggesting that 50% of all 13-19 yr old in New Mexico are pregnant at any given time? I find that incredible to say the least.
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Post by Ahso! »

I'd like to offer up an alternative way for perhaps some of those that insist on the moral argument, indulge me if you will.

Lets take the moral argument that God through his loyal servant messengers (the pulpit, AM talk radio and Fox news) has informed us that teen pregnancy is wrong and therefore immoral. Don't you think that that is sacrilegious? Negating the inane argument of free will due to the fact we are speaking of adolescents who are not yet even developed sufficiently enough intellectually to understand the concept of free will in its entirety, isn't it reasonable to think that God gave onto these young people the ability to procreate, and its therefore an act of disrespect to him/her/it to not fulfill that function?

OTOH speaking from an evolutionary perspective, individuals, groups and societies have the right, being they don't feel obligated to a creator to decide when its most appropriate to engage in adult type relationships?
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities,”

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I have only one thing to do and that's

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Should sex be taught to children?

Post by K.Snyder »

Robert J;1262011 wrote: Thats not a moral argument in my view, K. Thats a reason to teach discretion. Lets say a young person has been left a large sum of money or has a family that is willing to lend support for the birth of babies from young children, and comes from a beckground that treats the notion as part of their religion, is it then still immoral?


Saint_;1262169 wrote: I'd like to add that not only is sex education important at a younger age than ever before, relationship education is even more important .

K, trust me when I say I am much more in touch with what is happening with today's youth than you are, you see... I deal with them on a daily basis. We've got pregnant 12 year-olds all over the place.

America has 'sexed-up her children,(See: Jon-Benet Ramsey) and now we can't figure out why pregnancy rates have skyrocketed. The teen pregnancy rate in New Mexico is currently 50%. And 50% of those babies will be born into poverty.

Someone had better say something!


Kids will do what kids will do. Kids will make decisions based off of their moral upbringing. Sex is the scapegoat. It's entirely why you get "..."and now we can't figure out why pregnancy rates have skyrocketed".

Instill moral values in the home and watch and see teen pregnancies drop regardless of sex ed. Kids know they can get pregnant they're not stupid! You knew just as well when you were a kid.
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Should sex be taught to children?

Post by K.Snyder »

Robert J;1262185 wrote: I'd like to offer up an alternative way for perhaps some of those that insist on the moral argument, indulge me if you will.

Lets take the moral argument that God through his loyal servant messengers (the pulpit, AM talk radio and Fox news) has informed us that teen pregnancy is wrong and therefore immoral. Don't you think that that is sacrilegious? Negating the inane argument of free will due to the fact we are speaking of adolescents who are not yet even developed sufficiently enough intellectually to understand the concept of free will in its entirety, isn't it reasonable to think that God gave onto these young people the ability to procreate, and its therefore an act of disrespect to him/her/it to not fulfill that function?

OTOH speaking from an evolutionary perspective, individuals, groups and societies have the right, being they don't feel obligated to a creator to decide when its most appropriate to engage in adult type relationships?


When you suggest, with overture, that these kids refrain from sexual intercourse you serve to romantiscize sexual intercourse on the exact level of in how vehemonent you were in doing so.
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Post by Ahso! »

K.Snyder;1262186 wrote: Kids will do what kids will do. Kids will make decisions based off of their moral upbringing. Sex is the scapegoat. It's entirely why you get "..."and now we can't figure out why pregnancy rates have skyrocketed".

Instill moral values in the home and watch and see teen pregnancies drop regardless of sex ed. Kids know they can get pregnant they're not stupid! You knew just as well when you were a kid.I disagree. Kids will do as those that came before them have done, what nature drives them to do and what needs will be reasonably expected to be met regardless of morality. Thats what we are now witnessing.
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Should sex be taught to children?

Post by K.Snyder »

Robert J;1262190 wrote: I disagree. Kids will do as those that came before them have done, what nature drives them to do and what needs will be reasonably expected to be met regardless of morality. Thats what we are now witnessing.


If morality was taught, ideally, all of those "that came before" would act appropriately and the "nature" you speak of is a child's instinct they gain from being their own person. They know about sex. I see it every day. Parents not giving their children and their intelligence respect.

"NO!" "DON'T DO THAT!" "EAT YOU'RE HAMBURGER!"

The kid is blatantly eating. Let the kid live ffs.
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Post by Ahso! »

K.Snyder;1262200 wrote: If morality was taught, ideally, all of those "that came before" would act appropriately and the "nature" you speak of is a child's instinct they gain from being their own person. They know about sex. I see it every day. Parents not giving their children and their intelligence respect.

"NO!" "DON'T DO THAT!" "EAT YOU'RE HAMBURGER!"

The kid is blatantly eating. Let the kid live ffs.Morality is a creation of people and has no value in nature. We're drifting away from the thread topic.
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities,”

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I have only one thing to do and that's

Be the wave that I am and then

Sink back into the ocean

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Should sex be taught to children?

Post by K.Snyder »

Robert J;1262203 wrote: Morality is a creation of people and has no value in nature. We're drifting away from the thread topic.


No that's where you're having trouble Robert. Morality is not a religious connotation that anyone can chose to ignore. Morality is defined of the people, by people, for the people...That doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Morality is what the majority define as good.
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Post by Ahso! »

K.Snyder;1262207 wrote: No that's where you're having trouble Robert. Morality is not a religious connotation that anyone can chose to ignore. Morality is defined of the people, by people, for the people...That doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Morality is what the majority define as good.You've misinterpreted what I've written. these threads are beginning to look like arguments for the sake arguing only.
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Should sex be taught to children?

Post by K.Snyder »

Robert J;1262208 wrote: You've misinterpreted what I've written. these threads are beginning to look like arguments for the sake arguing only.


The morality clause is in respect to the ideals of people, from which those people are responsible for reproduction/nature. Those responsible for reproduction defines the evolution. The same people with good choices and bad choices. The difference being those that make good choices reproduce healthier beings(Natural selection) than those that do not make good choices. I don't see how you've missed it.
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Should sex be taught to children?

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YZGI;1262181 wrote: Are you suggesting that 50% of all 13-19 yr old in New Mexico are pregnant at any given time? I find that incredible to say the least.


Almost, but not quite. Looks like my stats are a bit out of date, it has lowered a little lately. Our statistics say that 41% of all babies born this year in New Mexico will be to teenage mothers. And yes, it's as incredible (and saddening) as it is true.

New Mexico has the 4th highest teenage pregnancy rate of any state. Of the 7,290 teenage pregnancies each year in New Mexico, 64% result in live births and 21% result in abortions.

Here's some data from the Grumacher Institute showing birthrates, abortion rates, and stillbirth rates for new mexico women ages 15 - 19 (Which, if you add in ages 12-14, I might still be on track):

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Should sex be taught to children?

Post by Saint_ »

BTW... I don't think we are really all that far from the same page. We all agree that the teen pregnancy rate is too high, we all agree that it is worse now than it used to be because of the deterioration of the family unit, and we all agree that something needs to be done.

We're just debating what that is and how to go about it.;)
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Post by Bryn Mawr »

YZGI;1262181 wrote: Are you suggesting that 50% of all 13-19 yr old in New Mexico are pregnant at any given time? I find that incredible to say the least.


I read it more as 50% of all girls in New Mexico have at least one child by the time that they reach twenty years of age.
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Post by cars »

K.Snyder;1261889 wrote: Should sex be taught to children?



I personally feel that children should not be taught sex and should learn for themselves.



I understand stressing the importance of not having children at a very young age but I've always liked girls and assume I have since conception. I wasn't taught about sex, to a very large extent, so I don't understand it when I see parents trying to have "the talk", I quite simply don't get it.
"Children" learning for themselves is what causes:

"Babies having Babies"! :-2
Cars :)
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Post by YZGI »

Bryn Mawr;1262372 wrote: I read it more as 50% of all girls in New Mexico have at least one child by the time that they reach twenty years of age.
If that is so. We need to ask how many were unwanted. I would imagine that throughout time at least 50% of females had babies by the time they were twenty.



Todays society just asks teens to wait longer to have sex and babies so that their life might be better by getting an education, job etc. etc.



Not that it is a bad thing but when teens mature to the point of wanting to have sex, they are going to have sex. We need to continue to educate proper birth control to lower unwanted pregnancies. We are not going to stop them so lets help them.
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