Sex education. Do you think it should be taught in schools? What grades?

Warrigal said:
As a teacher of science in a girls junior high school I taught some biology including the various systems of the human body. This included the digestive, skeletal and respiratory systems, circulation of the blood, hormones, and reproduction system. We did not talk about, nor teach very much about human sexual behaviour. I did manage to explain the various methods of contraception available at the time and how each one worked to avoid unwanted pregnancy. It was hardly enough but better than what I received at the same age.

When they asked questions, I did my best to give factual answers but steered away from morality. That was not the role of a science teacher.
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I actually like the scientific approach best. That's what we got, and even though my Mom never really had the "talk" with me, I learned everything else from friends - and I'm guessing young people still do that as well.

The moral side of sex education is a bit too relative - I would think - depending on various other factors in your life (religion, etc)....
 
IrishEyes said:
I had the class in 8th grade, unfortunately it was a male teacher and coed class. I was not comfortable at all.
In this current state of what is gender and not, I am not sure what would be right or if each student could
select the teacher and classmate attendees. It just could be a bit touchy or maybe kids now are not affected
as much as I was due to the "entertainment" they view anyway. I should just hush up now.
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I doubt kids today could be embarrassed. Even boys and girls who don't watch Tik-Tok, or whatever, talk to each other about it. When my granddaughter was 13, her male bestie knew what time of month she wouldn't feel up to go shoot hoops with him, or even get a visit.

Anyway, health class in 8th grade we all watched that Disney movie about the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and what the uterus and testicles are for. That's where it should end.

There shouldn't be a gender class.

Between age 8 and 13, nearly all girls go through a stage when they feel being a boy would be more beneficial than being a girl.

Between age 3 and 7, almost all boys go through a stage when they feel life would be nicer if they were a girl.

This is not dysfunction, and does not mean they are Q, L, or T. It is quite normal, and outgrown in a year or two on average. It is a form of envy and/or admiration at a time when children are unsure of themselves while becoming socialized, trying to fit in with their playmates, are starting pre-school, kindergarten, or jr. high, or who simply very much admire their beautiful loving mommy or strong handsome daddy, or an aunt, uncle, hero, etc., and wish they were like them no matter what gender.
 
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It used to be a choice between the school or the parents teaching sex education, but these days internet porn is the teacher for far too many kids and they're learning the kinky stuff before the basics. It's a wonder they aren't all terrified.

If I had five minutes with the girls I would just emphasis one thing: Take care of birth control yourself. It's your body that will get pregnant. Before you have sex go to your mother, your doctor, or the free clinic and get something reliable and use it. Don't believe a word the boy says about it.
 
Della said:
but these days internet porn is the teacher for far too many kids and they're learning the kinky stuff before the basics.
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I like to read books for free on online websites, and I prefer the books that just have a story without the constant sex scenes, so I mostly read from the 'young adult' category, and the site used to just have innocuous ads but now every time a reader clicks Next to go to the next page, it redirects to a cartoon porn site with very sick women-objectifying and harming content. It's really awful stuff to encounter as an adult, I'd think terrible for young people.
 
Messy said:
If they talk normal and explain stuff it's no problem, but my son got it when he was 10 or so and mrs said it's spring and it's totally normal to have sex in spring and find a date and she showed them a movie. It wasn't real porn, but animated with sex sounds.

One boy joked: can't we see the real stuff? And they had to answer questions. She asked my son what porn was. He said entertainment for adults. He thought the lessons were utterly stupid, but they have to get them in this country.
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See, this is what I do not agree with --- teaching what is basically an opinion. I don't think school should talk about porn either.
Keep it biological / educational .... even functional is fine - but minus the commentary.
 
Warrigal said:
As a teacher of science in a girls junior high school I taught some biology including the various systems of the human body. This included the digestive, skeletal and respiratory systems, circulation of the blood, hormones, and reproduction system. We did not talk about, nor teach very much about human sexual behaviour. I did manage to explain the various methods of contraception available at the time and how each one worked to avoid unwanted pregnancy. It was hardly enough but better than what I received at the same age.

When they asked questions, I did my best to give factual answers but steered away from morality. That was not the role of a science teacher.
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"My name is Chester.. I work for Mr. Dillon"..
 
CaliS said:
I actually like the scientific approach best. That's what we got, and even though my Mom never really had the "talk" with me, I learned everything else from friends - and I'm guessing young people still do that as well.

The moral side of sex education is a bit too relative - I would think - depending on various other factors in your life (religion, etc)....
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It not just the morals of it. And most people really don't know the morals of it. In the 17th century the Protestants made it mandatory to have a church wedding to be married and not to have sex until after you were married.
Before that from the beginning you had sex to be married. The union consummated the marriage.
The Jews had the bridechamber......with guests present to celebrate the marriage. No wedding ceremonies. So biblically when you have sex....you are married.

But again it is not just about morals. Young people need to know that the desires they have and the intensity of the desires are normal, no dirty or wrong. They should not be made to feel guilty or dirty because of these desires. BUT because sex can lead to pregnancy and responsibility and support of another life. They need to be ready and prepared for that before they have sex.

Of course that is a lot to ask of two young people that are in heat. So the alternative is an education on contraception and protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

The issue of emotions and character is the complicated part. Respect yourself and your lover. When you penetrate a young girl, you penetrate her mind. Make it a special moment a fond memory of love and respect.
 
In thinking about this some more, the reason sex education seemed so lame to me in 7th grade, was because it was simple elementary biology, and nothing more. It wasn't until college, when my dormitory put on a voluntary attended "sex education" program that filled the commons area one evening. A young woman explained in detail different kinds of contraception and prevention. Morality was not part of the program at all. My thinking was, "Finally, something really helpful, and none too soon." Of course that level of sex education in the 7th grade would be something many parents would object to, so few schools would actually go in that direction.

I don't think I've ever heard of a formal program that gets into eroticism, foreplay, and stimulation. Although that seems like the core of what sex education could be, but at what level, I can't say. I don't know if it's even necessary. Maybe. Not sure.
 
JustDave said:
I don't think I've ever heard of a formal program that gets into eroticism, foreplay, and stimulation. Although that seems like the core of what sex education could be, but at what level, I can't say. I don't know if it's even necessary. Maybe. Not sure.
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I understand what you are saying.

IMO that level of open and honest discussion needs to take place between the two, or more, people actively involved in the relationship.

I don’t think most people feel comfortable sharing their most intimate thoughts, needs, and feelings, even with their partner.

I really don’t understand why we continue to create such forbidden feelings of secrecy around something as basic as sex and intimacy between two people. 🤷‍♀️
 
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