QOTW 10/28: What Should Schools be T...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2007
QOTW 10/28: What Should Schools be T...
36
Sun, 10-28-2007 - 9:59am

QOTW 10/28: What Should Schools be Teaching Kids?



  • Sexual Education
  • Abstinence Only
  • Other, please explain.


You will be able to change your vote.






iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2007
Sun, 10-28-2007 - 6:28pm

In my sons school, abstinence is taught as a choice when it comes to making responsible choices about sexuality. I am happy that they teach that. In a large part, I was taught sex education in school, and am very glad I was. My parents were not open and honest with me about sexuality, and their style of teaching would have been "If A is inserted in B, you can get pregnant. You better not do it!" I also don't think I would have ever learned appropriate terms for body parts, sexual acts, or proper information on STDs and such. I'm not sure that I would have wanted them involved in the decision making process of what was taught.

I will say, that from my own memory, we were not taught things that were not age appropriate. The classes advanced as we got older. Many people today are pushing for abstinence only teaching, fearing that teaching sex ed encourages children to become sexually active. I haven't ever heard anyone who supports the teaching of sex ed to feel abstinence should be excluded -- but I have heard it the other way around.



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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2007
Sun, 10-28-2007 - 6:32pm
I love all the points you are making in your post! I think the best thing we can arm our kids with is knowledge in all areas of life.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2007
Sun, 10-28-2007 - 6:35pm
Thanks for joining in Sandra. I agree that teaching the consequences of sexual activity is important. I know that every conversation we ever have with our oldest son always reinforces the importance of safe sex.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2007
Sun, 10-28-2007 - 6:40pm
ITA that teaching of abstinence only as an issue of morality should not be included in the school curriculum. Thanks for joining in, Jodi.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2007
Sun, 10-28-2007 - 6:46pm

I have often talked with my kids about the emotional aspects and responsibilities of being sexually active. I don't know that the schools hit on the emotional aspects, or if they could except in a very broad sense.

I think that would be an interesting topic to introduce in the future here!



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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2007
Sun, 10-28-2007 - 6:49pm

"An informed teenager is a teenager who's more likely to make responsible choices."

So true Steve! I also think kids who are able to discuss sex with their parents are able to contribute more to the classroom setting with their peers. It creates a reinforcement for both the kids who are being taught and those that aren't learning about it at home.



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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2007
Sun, 10-28-2007 - 6:53pm
I'm often amazed that even with the levels of sex ed that are taught in schools, how many people still don't understand how STDs are spread. I also remember hearing some wild explanations from my peers as a teen, especially if it was a boy who was interested in pursing activities further.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-28-2006
Sun, 10-28-2007 - 7:11pm
We have had a discussion with our teenager this week about the case in Georgia, Misty. I think it's important that he realizes that sex is an adult activity that can have adult consequences. We have also had discussions with him in the past about STD's and how they're spread, and some of the myths about sex, STD's and pregnancy that he hears from his friends.






iVillage Member
Registered: 03-08-2004
Sun, 10-28-2007 - 9:18pm

My grandparents who if alive today would both be 98 years old were pregnant with my dad at the age of 17 before she and my grandfather

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Registered: 07-25-2000
Sun, 10-28-2007 - 9:50pm

I agree that kids need facts! With all the STDs and other risks out there it is just too dangerous to tell them not to do it and then hope for the best! I wish I had had more sex education in school, because I sure didn't get much at home!


But I think that we do need to be careful not to give