sex ed

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Home : 2002 : July : 3

sex ed
By Cathy-Dee

Unfortunately it is not always a minority in schools in today's world who are experimenting with sex or aspects of sexual activities. I agree that it is not healthy for children to be actively involved in some of these things,
but as a teacher it is often difficult to be completely aware of everything that is happening in our student's lives. I think we have to all take our heads out of the sand and realize our children know a lot more about sex and than we did at their age (and often have misconceptions that should be cleared up). Unless your children do not watch tv, do not read books, do not visit

friends homes you cannot be totally aware of their "innocence" or lack of. I don't know about the States but here in Canada there are things on TV I would never want my children seeing and these shows are not necessarily late night shows anymore either. I live in the west and we get several stations from Toronto. On Friday evenings about 10:00 p.m. (which is not late for a 13 or 14 year old) they have what they call baby-blue movies which are soft porn movies and show more than enough skin, body movement, etc., I know children in my town whose older siblings have rented movied that even I would be hestitant to watch. And music videos - need I say more! Our children are bombarded with sexual images, body images, etc., at much earlier ages than ever before.

I do not know of any school that does not require parental permission for sex ed classes. This is the way it should be. There are thankfully parents who do talk to their children and who do have an open enough relationship that if their 13 year child experimented with something they'd be able to discuss it openly and honestly. But let's be frank, these families are few and far-between. I'd rather know that a 13 year old at least can ask their sex-ed teacher questions and get good information than for the child to keep doing things in secret because they know their parents would be very upset if they found out.

And no matter how much you think you know your children unless you are with them 24 hours a day you do not know everything they say, do, are exposed to, etc., I know some parents who would be shocked at what their children do outside of their presence.

And as far as notifying parents - in most cases I would agree - but schools like to tread carefully as well - there are times when notifying parents is the wrong move to make. I wouldn't want to however notify parents simply if the word sex came up in a discussion by a child. Some parents would over-react, some would punish the child causing more harm, some would laugh it off or not care also causing harm. And up to what age would this be a factor - at age 16 most youth have the right to not have their parents told if they visit the doctor's office for birth control for example.

I think the only real issue is whether or not a child should have to take sex-ed classes without their parent's permission and to me the answer is no. And I also think that any talk about sex should be done by a qualified sex-ed teacher or nurse who knows the program, knows the answers and knows the limit on what should or should not be discussed especially as whole-class topics.