Should Human Sexuality be Part of Sex-Ed Classes?

[Srivijaya]

It's not even an issue in the UK and most of Europe. It's part of the curriculum. I don't understand why it's such a big deal - it's part of life.

 

[Subduction Zone]

It's not even an issue in the UK and most of Europe. It's part of the curriculum. I don't understand why it's such a big deal - it's part of life.

Yes, we know. We are not so lucky here in the good old U.S.A.. Make 'Merica grate again. <sigh>

 

[Srivijaya]

Yes, we know. We are not so lucky here in the good old U.S.A.. Make 'Merica grate again. <sigh>

Still, it's something you can teach your own kids about, even if the state won't. This kind of knowledge is essential to help young people avoid potential pitfalls. Otherwise the gap is filled with urban myths, porn and religious guilt-trips. I know an old lady whose mother had been so prude that she never told her about her impending periods. When they inevitably arrived she thought she was dying, was so ashamed and wanted to kill herself. Thankfully things have moved on since then.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Still, it's something you can teach your own kids about, even if the state won't. This kind of knowledge is essential to help young people avoid potential pitfalls. Otherwise the gap is filled with urban myths, porn and religious guilt-trips. I know an old lady whose mother had been so prude that she never told her about her impending periods. When they inevitably arrived she thought she was dying, was so ashamed and wanted to kill herself. Thankfully things have moved on since then.

A 'UGE number of children do not have parents that will teach them. That is why it sex education, and real sex ed, not fake sex ed like abstinence only, is a must for a school children. And probably more than just one course of it since there are some rather inept teachers out there.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

So you're asking actually saying that junior high students should be taught how to f*** or what?

And are you actually admitting that you are so dim that you don't they already know how? And did, before they got to junior high? What a tough world you must live in...it's so hard to pretend that what you see isn't what's there, isn't it?

I think what you are failing to see is that doing it is so f**cking awesome that emotionally it can be overwhelming -- and no, kids do NOT know how to deal with that. And that reason alone should be enough to tell anyone that competent sex education is incredibly important.

 

[sun rise]

And are you actually admitting that you are so dim that you don't they already know how? And did, before they got to junior high? What a tough world you must live in...it's so hard to pretend that what you see isn't what's there, isn't it?

I think what you are failing to see is that doing it is so f**cking awesome that emotionally it can be overwhelming -- and no, kids do NOT know how to deal with that. And that reason alone should be enough to tell anyone that competent sex education is incredibly important.

I was responding to this not to the basic idea of sex education which I totally support.

So, should school children* be taught how best to sexually express themselves, or should this be left to "on the job" experience, or maybe taking one's cues from internet porn?

 

[YmirGF]

So you're asking actually saying that junior high students should be taught how to f*** or what?

This is a point of reducing people to mere animals who copulate automatically when their drives are hot. Or are you afraid they won't learn what goes where without porn or classroom demos?

Would make for interesting homework assignments.

 

[dawny0826]

The sex-ed courses in our schools here are incredibly short and cover just the basics of how puberty, reproduction and contraception works. These classes typically span just a few weeks and as part of health or PE.

An expanded sex-ed curriculum would need to be offered as an elective and probably wouldn't work in middle school due to the structure of existing curriculum.

Sex-ed, in my opinion, should be simple, factual and lack bias with emphasis as to how our bodies work and what we should consider for our health and well being. There should be mention that sex isn't the same for everyone and that sexuality and gender present on a diverse and non-binary spectrum. Unhealthy behavior should also be discussed. Resources for reporting abuse or discussing something that's concerning in private should be provided along with information regarding how and where youth can obtain contraception and reproductive counseling.

At the crux of it, if you provide youth with a toolkit of the basics and ensure a network of support, they'll figure out the rest.

 

[ZooGirl02]

I think that most sex ed classes need to be more comprehensive. Teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity would be a good start.

 

[sealchan]

Abstinence-only sex education amounts to little more than "Outside of marriage, don't do it." So the education I'm speaking of is comprehensive sex education.

Comprehensive sex education (CSE) is a sex education instruction method that aims to give students the knowledge, attitudes, skills and values to make appropriate and healthy choices in their sexual lives. The intention is that this understanding will prevent students from contracting sexually transmitted infections in the future, including HIV and HPV. CSE is also designed with the intention of reducing teenage and unwanted pregnancies, as well as lowering rates of domestic and sexual violence, thus contributing to a healthier society, both physically and mentally. Comprehensive sex education ultimately promotes sexual abstinence as the safest sexual choice for young people. However, CSE curriculums and teachers are still committed to teaching students about topics connected to future sexual activity, such as age of consent, safe sex, birth control, abortion, and use of condoms.
source:Wikipedia​

But beyond these "nuts and bolts" of sex, lies the matter of sexuality, "the quality of being sexual, or the way people experience and express themselves as sexual beings. This involves biological, erotic, physical, emotional, social, or spiritual feelings and behaviors."
source:Wikipedia

Personally, I feel human sexuality as defined here is an important component in creating a healthy sexual-self, and in forging interpersonal relationships, and therefore deserves to be seriously looked at.

So, should school children* be taught how best to sexually express themselves, or should this be left to "on the job" experience, or maybe taking one's cues from internet porn?---I can't see more than a handful of parents seriously taking on the task.

*I'm thinking of junior high and senior high students.

.

It would be valuable to have teacher-led class discussion. There is a great deal of media and advertising which uses human sexuality for various purposes (dramatic story-telling and product marketing) that would be good to think about.

Certainly there are many psychological experiences that the sexual instinct can help to fuel including desire, aggression, addiction, depression, etc. I like to think of the instincts as a kind of source of psychological power and understanding how this impacts how one thinks and acts would be very valuable. Also the obvious social pressures regarding virginity and proficiency (quantity and ability to consummate with person of choice) would be good to discuss.

 

[RedDragon94]

So, should school children* be taught how best to sexually express themselves, or should this be left to "on the job" experience, or maybe taking one's cues from internet porn?---I can't see more than a handful of parents seriously taking on the task.

I may be crazy for saying this but...

You know what? What if when the parents give them "the talk" they show them cartoon porn afterword?

... It's like porn, but... is it porn?

 

[Mock Turtle]

How about masturbation - and at what age?

Sex expert who wants to teach masturbation in schools 'sickens' viewers

Pretty sure I was masturbating by age 10.

 

[sealchan]

The sex-ed courses in our schools here are incredibly short and cover just the basics of how puberty, reproduction and contraception works. These classes typically span just a few weeks and as part of health or PE.

An expanded sex-ed curriculum would need to be offered as an elective and probably wouldn't work in middle school due to the structure of existing curriculum.

Sex-ed, in my opinion, should be simple, factual and lack bias with emphasis as to how our bodies work and what we should consider for our health and well being. There should be mention that sex isn't the same for everyone and that sexuality and gender present on a diverse and non-binary spectrum. Unhealthy behavior should also be discussed. Resources for reporting abuse or discussing something that's concerning in private should be provided along with information regarding how and where youth can obtain contraception and reproductive counseling.

At the crux of it, if you provide youth with a toolkit of the basics and ensure a network of support, they'll figure out the rest.

I think that there needs to be sex-ed in the context of psychology. My school had a class about relationships which I didn't take. Sex is one thing but how do young men and young women understand their instinctual desires and negotiate them? How does one proceed their feelings and desires? What are healthy and unhealthy forms of relationship? This ties into health but we need the psycholgy side as well.

This is tough stuff though for it can greatly deconstruct a students family dynamics and that could be hard on families and their children. Still how else can we learn to grow out of our own dysfunction?

Such topics as addiction and intelligence and personality would be useful as well. Anything to help children place sexuality comfortably within their own model of healthy self, family and human relationship. Might help with civil discourse as well.

 

[Woberts]

Yes, without a doubt.
Unfortunately it will probably never happen, what with the prevalence of Christian fundamentalism is American culture.
.