by 51 people |
Kids & Teens Deserve Accurate & Unbiased Sex Education NOW!
Abstinence-only programs and a lack of discussion about birth control methods and prevention of disease transmission have left many teens and young adults at risk of unwanted pregnancies and various sexually-transmitted diseases.
The best thing that could be done would be to provide access to technically-accurate and honest sex education. I think the education needs to come from outside the home, so that kids get more and better answers and I think our government needs to get off their religiously-blinded backsides and keep their moral opinions out of education if they really want to reduce teen pregnancies and slow the transmission of STDs.
Sex education doesn't lead to more sex, it leads to safer and more responsible sex!
What do you think?
The Sex Ed Debate and Info You Should Know
- The Birds and the Bees
- The Pros and Cons of Abstinence-Only
- YOUR TURN TO WEIGH IN!
- The Consequences of Bad (or No) Sex Ed
- WHAT SHOULD WE BE TEACHING?
- Recommended Sex Education Books for Children
- RELATED NEWS: FODDER FOR ARGUING MORE
- Take a look at the Sex Education Debate
- Sex Ed Books For Teenagers
- Sex Ed Info for Teens and Young People
- So... got anything else to say about it?
- LOTD
The Birds and the Bees
how we get the info that we know
The Pros and Cons of Abstinence-Only
- Survey: Fla. Teens Believe Drinking Bleach Will Prevent HIV - Orlando News Story - WKMG Orlando
- ORLANDO, Fla. -- A recent survey that found some Florida teens believe drinking a cap of bleach will prevent HIV and a shot of Mountain Dew will stop pregnancy has prompted lawmakers to push for an overhaul of sex education in the state. Wednesday, April 2, 2008.
- Oral Sex Among Adolescents:Is It Sex or Is It Abstinence?
- The reports in the popular press that oral sex has become widespread among adolescents cannot be confirmed or refuted because the data to do so have never been collected. Moreover, adults do not really know what behaviors teenagers consider to be "sex" and, by the same token, what they consider to be its opposite, abstinence. All of this leaves health professionals and policymakers without the means to effectively address these issues.
- Study Casts Doubt on Abstinence-Only Programs - washingtonpost.com
- A long-awaited national study has concluded that abstinence-only sex education, a cornerstone of the Bush administration's social agenda, does not keep teenagers from having sex.
- The Failure of Abstinence-Only Sex Education | New West Network
- With some American churches now hosting the Horrors of Hell rather than Halloween, one would assume that American teenagers would have more respect for sin and fewer instances of sexually transmitted diseases. But just as with President Bush's tactics in the War on Terror, fear alone is not doing the job.
- AlterNet: Rights and Liberties: The Expensive Failure of Abstinence Education
- The Bush administration's point man for conservative -- and often morality-driven -- social policy, such as abstinence-only sex education, has resigned. But only time will tell whether his programs remain federal policy.
- Abstinence Education - Let's talk about sex
- Cowed by the dominance of conservative religious lobbying organizations in the Republican Party, Bush has decided that it ought to be against the law for public schools to teach teenagers anything about sex other than the reasons that they shouldn't have sex. That's really all that abstinence-only education is: Adults nagging teenagers not to have sex, then not saying a word about how to handle it if they do have sex.
- McCain to Preach Abstinence in S.C.
- Most presidential candidates are trying to get people to say "yes." Republican Sen. John McCain will be encouraging South Carolina students to say "no."
- Abstinence Only
- You and your faith partner have chosen a path of mutual love and adoration through physical respect.
YOUR TURN TO WEIGH IN!
How do YOU feel about sex education versus abstinence-only?
What do you think about sex education? Do kids do best when told the facts or is telling them to "just say No" the way to go?
What I think was the best part of what I learned in my sex educator training was to take my own beliefs out of the discussion. I was there to answer questions and provide the best and most up-to-date information available, not challenge someone on their morals or tell them what was right or wrong. I might tell someone that they were contemplating something with a high degree of risk, but I never said things like "Eeew, that's gross!" or "People like you shouldn't be allowed to act that way" which is unfortuately what a lot of people face when they are just trying to ask a question. And a lot of the questions were about non-PV (penis-vagina) sexual practices, something that many parents are not about to discuss with their kids, and which kids don't want to ask their parents about.
Ever wonder why Florida teens think that drinking bleach will prevent HIV, or that drinking Mountain Dew or smoking marijuana can prevent pregnancy? It's because they are being raised and schooled by adults who are themselves totally ignorant of the facts and realities of sex and birth control.
(If you chose to make a comment or contribution below, please note it cannot contain profanities. this lens is G-rated and whereas any opinion is allowed, explicit language usage is not, and such comments will be declined. thanks, Orthia)
Comprehensive and accurate sex education programs should be available for children and teens (and adults) in school and through public health programs!
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, you're right!
thebaboonking says:
While I believe sex education is very important for kids and teens, every attempt to educate me about sex has failed. The teachers were always very embarassed when approaching the topic of sex, and it always had a very chaotic atmosphere because every kid had a different level of knowledge on sex.
I think that parents should teach their children about the basics of sex at an early age, because when that child is a teenager they will find it very uncomfortable talking to parents about it. That's when sex ed in schools should kick in.
Posted June 22, 2009
Tonique says:
Sex education should be in schools, but when it comes to the moral side of sex (abstinence/waiting for marriage) it is really the parents job to teach them what they believe. But all children should learn the medical facts about sex pregnancy, periods, contraception and STDs
Posted May 11, 2009
Duckylurve says:
Without a doubt! Sex is a perfectly natural and wonderful thing that kids need to understand to be safe.
Posted April 21, 2009
Treasures-By-Brenda says:
I think programs for everyone should be available through school and public health programs but that is not to say that I think parents are 'off the hook.'
Brenda
Posted April 08, 2009
Jack2205 says:
Teens should be taught everything that they should know about sex through school programs, but younger children are too young for it.
Posted March 02, 2009
No way, Monkeybrain!
jprice says:
I think that was more a failure in science and common sense for someone to think that drinking chlorine would stop HIV and Mountain Dew would stop pregnancy. And yes oral sex is sex...
I just don't trust the government with anything... I believe parents should stop being lazy and teach their children something for once!
Posted November 25, 2008
Runningbandit says:
Just leave it to the parents and not schools. The schools are pretty Biased- "SEX BAD".
Posted September 24, 2008
eccles1 says:
They can't decided on evolution or creation and now we are going to trust them to explain about the birds and bees ??
without knowing the difference between these two their answers can only be more control bull! :)
Posted May 24, 2008
ideasbymarz says:
We can't even trust the education system to adequately teach the 3 Rs and now you want to entrust them with something this important??? I think it would be better to educate families on how to communicate better on the subject.
Posted April 30, 2008
blue22d says:
"Children" covers a wide age range. I do not believe children of ages 5,6,7 need to learn about some of the issues that are being push by so called "educators", especially the methods that want to use. I do not believe children raised in traditional families (husband/wife) could possibly or should be introduced to various "life styles".
If believe teens can benefit from sex education (reproductive system, sex organs function)but I am still in favor separating the sex in its teachings.
Posted April 26, 2008
The Consequences of Bad (or No) Sex Ed
reaping what we sow
The cheapest and most effective way to lower teen pregnancy rates and to reduce the transmission of STDs is to make sure kids and teens are given education about everything, even the topics that make parents squeamish. Otherwise, here's what we get...
- NPR: 'Sex Without Condoms' Prompts Heated Debate
- Thursday, as part of Day to Day's series "What's the New What," Pendarvis Harshaw, a teen who grew up in Oakland offers his own provocative take on the California relationship dream. "Sex without condoms is the new engagement ring," he suggested in an on-air essay. Among his friends and acquaintances, ditching the condoms for other forms of birth control like the pill, signifies taking monogamy to a new level; partners are required to trust each other completely at the risk of getting an STD. Given that few of his friends in their late teens are thinking much about marriage, this transforms a prophylactic into a relationship sign-post along the lines of an engagement ring.
- Clueless on STDs, Throat Cancer, and Oral Sex - US News and World Report
- There's an argument out there that oral sex is not sex. For some grown-ups, it's a way to deny that they're cheating. To some young people, oral sex preserves virginity-technically speaking-and allows for what is perceived as risk-free sexual intimacy. From a medical perspective, however, this is sex-and generally, as practiced, it's unsafe.
- CDC: At Least 1 in 4 Teenage Girls Has Sexually Transmitted Disease - Health News | Current Health News | Medical News
- Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - At least one in four teenage girls nationwide has a sexually transmitted disease, or more than 3 million teens, according to the first study of its kind in this age group.
- Many sex ed teachers may lack training - Yahoo! News
- A sizable minority of sex education teachers does not cover all of the basics, and many lack training to teach sex ed at all, a survey of teachers in one state suggests.
- NPR: Sex Education in America
- A new poll finds that the debate over whether sex education should be taught in schools is over. But the NPR/Kaiser/Kennedy School survey of parents and principals does show there is still disagreement over how it should be taught. Read analysis and the surveys.
- Incidence of teenage pregnancy in North America - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- The teenage birth rate in United States is the highest in the developed world. 95% of teenage pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended.
WHAT SHOULD WE BE TEACHING?
There are many facets to sex education and most of the present quandry relates to the fact that many people support some but not all aspects of providing information on reproductive health and sex.
Please indicate which areas or aspects of sex education you feel would be beneficial to young people. Be sure to read down the entire list before you start voting so that you understand exactly what the different choices represent. You may vote for more than one option.
1
Safer sex and STDs
Provide information about sexually-transmitted diseases, what sexual practices can transmit them and how to use condoms to prevent the spread.11 points
2
How bodies work - mixed gender
Co-ed health classes where boys and girls learn about the anatomy and physiology of both genders.6 points
3
Reproductive health
Teaching how male/female reproduction works and how pregnancy can happen.6 points
4
"Alternative" sexual education
Discussion of different sexual orientations and sexual behaviors that are not related to conception/human reproduction.6 points
5
Birth control
Education about the many methods that are available to prevent unwanted conception.5 points
6
Abortion
Discussion about and providing information regarding how to terminate unwanted pregnancies.5 points
7
About your body - gender-separate
Separate boys and girls health classes, where they just learn about their own anatomy and physical development.1 point
Recommended Sex Education Books for Children
Here are books for teaching young children or pre-teens about sex. Recommendations here are for books that cover the 4-12 year old age range.
Kids First Book About Sex
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) 
List Price: $6.00
Used Price: $14.90
Amazing You: Getting Smart About Your Private Parts
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $15.99
Used Price: $5.90
Dr. Ruth Talks To Kids: Where You Came From, How Your Body Changes, and What Sex Is All About
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $6.99
Used Price: $3.27
It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health (The Family Library)
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $10.18 (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $12.99
Used Price: $5.49
RELATED NEWS: FODDER FOR ARGUING MORE
- Obama and Sex Education - Smart Girl Nation
- As you may have heard, {then} presidential candidate Barack Obama endorsed guidelines published by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) for ?age-appropriate? sex education in public schools, ...
- End Abstinence-only Sex Education
- Consider reaching out to heal America's distorted view of sexuality Dear activist, Tell the Labor, HHS Subcommittee: End Abstinence-Only Funding.
- Sex education expert Sandra "Ms. Mac" McDonald stirred the pot ...
- Sex education expert Sandra "Ms. Mac" McDonald stirred the pot during her opening session by telling stories, stating facts and showing pictures about some of the unfortunate things that can happen if players aren't careful or don't use ...
- TeriYaki's Emo Note: Sex education is growing
- "Sex education is a broad term used to describe education about human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse,reproductive health, emotional relations, reproductive rights and responsibilities, contraception, ...
Take a look at the Sex Education Debate
see how our society has been debating this issue
Sex Ed Books For Teenagers
Here are some great books about reproduction and sex that can help parents and teens get through all those rough topics together.
Changing Bodies, Changing Lives: Expanded Third Edition: A Book for Teens on Sex and Relationships
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $24.95
Used Price: $1.47
S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-To-Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and College
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $16.95
Used Price: $6.69
GLBTQ: The Survival Guide for Queer and Questioning Teens
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $15.95
Used Price: $7.75
Girlology Hang-Ups, Hook-Ups, and Holding Out: Stuff You Need to Know About Your Body, Sex, & Dating (Girlology Series)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $11.21 (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $14.95
Used Price: $3.75
How to Talk with Teens About Love, Relationships, & S-E-X: A Guide for Parents
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $12.71 (as of 07/06/2009)
List Price: $16.95
Used Price: $2.55
Sex Ed Info for Teens and Young People
How do you get sex education if you don't know who to ask? What if you feel funny asking a question? Or harder still, what if you person you ask feels awkward or uncomfortable talking about the topic? This is the biggest hurdle to parents providing sex education. They might be able to provide some good basics on male/female reproductive sex, but as soon as you leave that narrow band of knowledge, many parents fail to speak to their children about any other sexual practices. Nor do most parents know that hepatitis C can live on open surfaces for up to six months and resists all but the most potent viricides.
Here are some highly-recommended web sites that provide information on a wider range of topics than what you will get at home, and no one has to be embarrassed about it.
- Scarleteen | Sex Education For The Real World
- Scarleteen: Sex Positive Sex Education. Articles, advice, accurate information and interactive media for young adults to explore and understand their sexuality and make informed choices.
- Sexuality and Relationship info you can trust from Planned Parenthood%uFFFD — teenwire.com
- Welcome to teenwire.com. Birth control & safer sex pregnancy, parenting & adoption infections & diseases lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender body sex relationships, friends & family emotions abortion school & careers entertainmen
- Teensource: Teen Sex Education & Info on STDs, Teen Pregnancy, Herpes, Chlamydia, HIV, STD Symptoms
- TeenSource.org is your resource to information on teen sex education, sexual health, teen pregnancy prevention, abstinence, STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), STD symptoms, birth control, herpes, hepatitis, chlamydia, syphlis, genital warts, and HIV.
- Teensexuality.org
- Site for teens and college students to find out information on sex and discuss sexual issues.
- The Condom - For Health and Pleasure
- Here is information about condoms, how they work, what people think of them and where you can get them. I'm someone who came of age just as AIDS was happening and I have to say the condom has been my constant sexual companion.
- San Francisco Sex Information
- We provide free, confidential, accurate, non-judgmental information about sex and reproductive health.
- Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.
- Visit Planned Parenthood to find information on sexual health, birth control, emergency contraception, abortion rights, and more.
- The (un)Truth About Penis Enlargment
- Penis enlargement is one of the biggest myths of the sexual world. It's one of the longest running scams in men's health and a source of a vast amount of spam in the internet world.
- Sex, Etc. -- Sex Education by Teens, for Teens
- Why Wonder? Info and advice on sex, love and relationships, pregnancy, birth control and condoms, STDs and more.
- :: MySistahs ::
- MySistahs is a Web site created by and for young women of color to provide information and offer support on sexual and reproductive health issues through education and advocacy. Through monthly features, message boards, and online peer education young women receive information on activism, culture, sexual health, and other issues that are important to them.
So... got anything else to say about it?
feedback, comments and other thoughts
If you've got something to say that's not taking sides in the debate, here's your space to do it!
Please note, this is a G-rated lens and anyone who posts links to explicit and/or adult sites in a comment will earn themselves a click of the "ban" button.
mivlipod wrote...
Its required much, In some countries like India, Still its not applied. This education should taken same as math and science classes.
Posted July 04, 2009
Treasures-By-Brenda wrote...
Wonderfully well-developed lens! Blessed by a new SquidAngel!
Brenda
Posted April 08, 2009
AndrewGreen wrote...
I agree that sex education is important, but here in the UK, since we have introduced this subject in schools the pregnancy rate has increased amongst our Teenage culture. This tells me One of Two things. Iether we are teaching them incorrectly OR we are teaching them at the wrong age. ( Too young.). And now our Government are talking about lowering the age that we start teaching sex ed. in schools.
Posted March 01, 2009
LOTD
This lens was picked as
LENS OF THE DAY
for
February 28, 2008!
by Euryale
In myth, Euryale was an immortal Gorgon. I'm a gardener and Giant Squid, growing things via Lenses. I have a wide range of interests including playing...
(more)
