I believe both sides of this discussion seem to have a higher expectation of the impact schools have on a child's sex life than what really happens. Does anyone believe we are actually teaching them anything they do not already know or they are going to pay attention to, retain, and actually use the information in real life?
Unsupervised children are the biggest problem. We don't leave younger children unsupervised do we? Why?
Wow. Let this day go down in the history books. I actually agree with Reverend Rick on an issue.
How I was raised was my parents knew every single thing I did (well lol....almost...
). My parents were firm and sometimes too restrictive. But that restriction kept me away from doing drugs and getting STDs and/or knocking some girl up. I had curfews and if I dared not show up home on time, there would be severe consequences.
Many of the parents I know simply allow their kids to run wild, probably looking back to how their parents restricted their teen years and give them a greater degree of freedom because of it.
On the flip side of the coin, 16, 17, and 18 year olds are pretty much adults. I think they should be given some sort of leeway to make their own decisions. But at these ages, they are still vulnerable to negative outside influences. It would be foolish to shield them from these influences and mollycoddle them. It would be wiser to teach them the value of a dollar, hard work, and education, just as my parents taught me.
I get offered drugs on almost a daily basis. Hell, I was once picking up my mother from work, sitting in the car, and a dealer came right up to my car in the mall parking lot and offered them. But I have enough fortitude to ignore the pressure to do them and say no. I think that's ultimately a lot more valuable.
Parents shouldn't be dictating what decisions their children should be making, but outlining the importance of making the right choices and emphasizing the consequences of making the wrong choices. I think that teaches responsibility and common sense much more effectively.