Sex Education in Schools

[The Story Teller]

Sex Education in Schools


According to recent national studies, 70 percent of all high schoolers have had sex by the time they graduate. The United States has more than double the teenage pregnancy rate of any western industrialized country, with more than a million teenagers becoming pregnant each year.
Teenagers have the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) of any age group, with one in four contracting an STD by the age of 21. HIV infection is increasing most rapidly among young people--one in four new infections in the United States occurs in people younger than 22. In 1994, 417 new AIDS cases were diagnosed among 13 to 19 year-olds, and 2,684 new cases among 20 to 24 year-olds.

Parents Want More Comprehensive Sex Education in Schools

​

By Todd Zwillich
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) Sept 27 - A new national survey shows that sex education classes offered to public high school students are not as lengthy or as comprehensive as most parents think they should be.
It also shows that teaching sexual abstinence until marriage remains at the top of parents' sex education priorities. At the same time, the majority of parents also want their children to get more instruction about sexually transmitted diseases, contraception, and how to communicate with partners.
"The results in their entirety challenge both sides in the [sex education] debate to rethink their positions on [education] in the public schools," said Steven Rabin, senior vice president of media and public education for the California-based Kaiser Family Foundation, which conducted the survey.
Kaiser produced the results from telephone interviews with a nationwide sample of some 1500 students in the 7th to 12th grades and their parents, and 1000 public school sex education teachers from those grades. Over 300 public school principals were also surveyed.
Overall 89% of students reported having at least some sex education classes at school by the 11th or 12th grade.
Nearly all parents said that sex education classes should encourage teens to wait until they are married until having sex. But two-thirds said that the overall message to teens should be to wait to have sex, but use birth control and safe sex practice if they do not wait.
At the same time, at least 75% of parents said that classes should cover a wide range of other topics, including homosexuality, abortion, proper condom use, and how to get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
"Parents, simply put, want it all," said Tina Hoff, a Kaiser researcher who conducted the study. But few sex education classes seem long enough to cover all the topics parents want their kids to know about, Hoff added. Three quarters of the teachers said that their most recent sex education course lasted one or several class periods; in contrast, three quarters of parents said it should last half a semester or more.
Shorter classes may be leaving out many topics that parents think are important. While 97% of parents reported wanting sex education classes to instruct kids on what to do if they are raped, only 59% of teens said that their classes had broached the topic. Similar gaps in parents' priorities and kids' experiences were seen in areas of homosexuality and how to talk with parents and partners about sex. "Parents are looking for real-life skills to be taught in the classroom," Hoff said.
The survey also seemed to uncover gaps between the models that schools are supposed to be using for sex education and what students are actually picking up in class. While one third of teachers and principals said that the main message of their sex education classes was "abstinence only," only 18% of students said that they had received an abstinence-only message at school.
Those numbers could mean that students who ask questions about sexual intercourse or contraception in class often get those questions answered, even by teachers mandated to teach only abstinence, said Dr. Ramon Cortines, a former New York City Schools Chancellor who was on hand when reporters were briefed on the study today.
"When the doors are closed in that classroom its hard to know what is really going on" between teachers and students, he said.

Where will it End??


When and where will it all end? Do we have to see our children start dieing? Why did we let the government get involved? I remember when, maybe, one or two girls got pregnant and had to leave school. Our parents were in charge of sex education then. It seems like there was a period of time when the parents became irresponsible for their children and the media and government stepped in and took over. I know it’s to late to go back in time, but we need to do something. I think the schools should push for abstinence only and back it up with the HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. They need to take the proper condom use and stick them over the head of the brain that thought that one up. Why should they abstinence when the schools are handing them out, for free. If the kids want condoms let them go into the drug stores and buy them, in front of adults, like we had to do. I know this was a BIG obstacle I had to over come even after I was married. Let the schools go back to teaching English, Math, History and get out of the sex business. Let the government go back to building our economy and stop worrying about who they can control next.

Sorry for the last comment, but I felt it had to be said. Any way, thanks for listening and letting me put my two cents in.

Richard

 

[SecretBlessings]

What can I say, except that you're right.

 

[TheWakeUpCaller]

yep, and that was worth more than 2 cents.

 

[CCe]

Where will it End??


When and where will it all end? Do we have to see our children start dieing? Why did we let the government get involved? I remember when, maybe, one or two girls got pregnant and had to leave school. Our parents were in charge of sex education then. It seems like there was a period of time when the parents became irresponsible for their children and the media and government stepped in and took over. I know it’s to late to go back in time, but we need to do something. I think the schools should push for abstinence only and back it up with the HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. They need to take the proper condom use and stick them over the head of the brain that thought that one up. Why should they abstinence when the schools are handing them out, for free. If the kids want condoms let them go into the drug stores and buy them, in front of adults, like we had to do. I know this was a BIG obstacle I had to over come even after I was married. Let the schools go back to teaching English, Math, History and get out of the sex business. Let the government go back to building our economy and stop worrying about who they can control next.

Sorry for the last comment, but I felt it had to be said. Any way, thanks for listening and letting me put my two cents in.

Richard

 

[JPPT1974]

You are right about that Rich
Thanks!

 

[The Story Teller]

What can I say, except that you're right.

Thanks..

 

[The Story Teller]

yep, and that was worth more than 2 cents.

If you get the chance, pass it on..

 

[The Story Teller]

Thanks..

 

[The Story Teller]

You are right about that Rich
Thanks!

How many more of our children have to die before we do something about it??

 

[Lil'_Miss_Princess_Aimz]

ive never really thought of it like this, but thanx.

 

[The Story Teller]

ive never really thought of it like this, but thanx.

Now you have something to think about.

 

[Enacielle777]

I see your points and I also see the reason the government had to step in. So many parents out there do not do their jobs. I work with children daily who are the results of bad parenting. The children are hurt...emotionally, mentally, psychologically, physically, and spiritually. To heal, they turn to the world. One way the world offers healing is through physical touch. It is very sad, but when you see a four year old with boundary issues because someone didn't respect hers, then you might feel differently about allowing our schools to teach sex education. I have an 11 year old girl who is very aware of what is out there and the dangers that come from premarital sex. The school fills in the middle of discussion I start and finish. She hears it from me, the school adds more, and I wrap it up. This is why I fully believe that she will know exactly what she is doing if she should ever decide to sin. She will not be able to claim ignorance or say she didn't realize what she was choosing to do. While I hope and pray she will be wiser than I was, I am also very aware of the fact that things happen among teenagers today...go to any summer Bible camp and you will see exactly what your angels are interested in...the world is doing a better job at selling love right now, and I agree it is very sad. My heart broken when I showed up to do a one-week stint as a counselor at a senior high camp and found a ton of inappropriate behavior between youth. However, my eyes were opened and now I am very thankful the school can fill in those middle pieces for my child.

Just another point of view.
Respectfully,
~Shell

 

[The Story Teller]

I see your points and I also see the reason the government had to step in. So many parents out there do not do their jobs. I work with children daily who are the results of bad parenting. The children are hurt...emotionally, mentally, psychologically, physically, and spiritually. To heal, they turn to the world. One way the world offers healing is through physical touch. It is very sad, but when you see a four year old with boundary issues because someone didn't respect hers, then you might feel differently about allowing our schools to teach sex education. I have an 11 year old girl who is very aware of what is out there and the dangers that come from premarital sex. The school fills in the middle of discussion I start and finish. She hears it from me, the school adds more, and I wrap it up. This is why I fully believe that she will know exactly what she is doing if she should ever decide to sin. She will not be able to claim ignorance or say she didn't realize what she was choosing to do. While I hope and pray she will be wiser than I was, I am also very aware of the fact that things happen among teenagers today...go to any summer Bible camp and you will see exactly what your angels are interested in...the world is doing a better job at selling love right now, and I agree it is very sad. My heart broken when I showed up to do a one-week stint as a counselor at a senior high camp and found a ton of inappropriate behavior between youth. However, my eyes were opened and now I am very thankful the school can fill in those middle pieces for my child.

Just another point of view.
Respectfully,
~Shell

I see your point but what's sad is that we as a people let it get that way..

 

[Enacielle777]

I see your point but what's sad is that we as a people let it get that way..

Hi StoryTeller,
It

 

[Enacielle777]

I see your point but what's sad is that we as a people let it get that way..

Hi StoryTeller,
It is really sad that we let it get this way. Unfortunately, what can we do? Until parents are willing to step up to the bar and do what they are supposed to do for their children and stop trying to protect their children so much that we end up pushing them into curiousity, it seems that if the schools didn't do something many children would be lost. While it is really bad that those of us who teach our children appropriately and raise our children correctly have to suffer because of the parents who don't tend to parenting their children well, but it is a price we have to pay for the society we live in. How do we change it? How do we force parents to take care of their children for more than food and shelter? That is a question I deal with every day when I go into work and see the children who are "thrown away" by their parents because the parents would rather be doing something else. When you see what I see everyday, it really makes you rethink mandatory sterilzation and having requirements for becoming parents. So I do have to say that while I respect what everyone is saying and how you all feel, I still have to hold to believing that in this society, our schools have no choice but to share about birth control and safe sex because if they don't many children will be experimenting without precautions. I DON'T agree with it...I DON'T condone it...but I understand it because of what I see society becoming. Hopefully we will be able to change this fact before our children are living in a very terrible world.

End of soap box!

 

[The Story Teller]

Hi StoryTeller,
It is really sad that we let it get this way. Unfortunately, what can we do? Until parents are willing to step up to the bar and do what they are supposed to do for their children and stop trying to protect their children so much that we end up pushing them into curiousity, it seems that if the schools didn't do something many children would be lost. While it is really bad that those of us who teach our children appropriately and raise our children correctly have to suffer because of the parents who don't tend to parenting their children well, but it is a price we have to pay for the society we live in. How do we change it? How do we force parents to take care of their children for more than food and shelter? That is a question I deal with every day when I go into work and see the children who are "thrown away" by their parents because the parents would rather be doing something else. When you see what I see everyday, it really makes you rethink mandatory sterilzation and having requirements for becoming parents. So I do have to say that while I respect what everyone is saying and how you all feel, I still have to hold to believing that in this society, our schools have no choice but to share about birth control and safe sex because if they don't many children will be experimenting without precautions. I DON'T agree with it...I DON'T condone it...but I understand it because of what I see society becoming. Hopefully we will be able to change this fact before our children are living in a very terrible world.

End of soap box!

Food for thought.. : You need a licenses to own a dog, but anyone can have a kid..

 

[Enacielle777]

Food for thought.. : You need a licenses to own a dog, but anyone can have a kid..

Yep...I was going to put this but didn't want to get started! LOL. I have four labs that I love dearly and I have to license them every July for $26 each. I have to ensure they have their shots each year, that they are treated well, etc. I had neighbors put a call in because my dogs were barking on winter morning and the Dog Control was out within 15 minutes (according to the Dog Warden). When she showed up, she explained the complaint and realized that my dogs were barking and we had let them in when they began. The funny thing is, when my neighbors were cursing at their daughter, slamming doors, and going ballistic causing a huge scene and I called the cops out of concern that it was going to escalate to violence, the cops didn't come for more than a half hour. This seems to me to send the message that we care more about animals than we do about children...when was the last time you heard of someone getting in trouble for not having their children's shots up to date?

I know I come across very strong on this but this is my passion...I want to see this nation healed and our children have a hope for their futures. I want to see them able to run and play and laugh like we did as children. The days of playing in trees and playing in teh neighborhood seem so long ago.

 

[The Story Teller]

Yep...I was going to put this but didn't want to get started! LOL. I have four labs that I love dearly and I have to license them every July for $26 each. I have to ensure they have their shots each year, that they are treated well, etc. I had neighbors put a call in because my dogs were barking on winter morning and the Dog Control was out within 15 minutes (according to the Dog Warden). When she showed up, she explained the complaint and realized that my dogs were barking and we had let them in when they began. The funny thing is, when my neighbors were cursing at their daughter, slamming doors, and going ballistic causing a huge scene and I called the cops out of concern that it was going to escalate to violence, the cops didn't come for more than a half hour. This seems to me to send the message that we care more about animals than we do about children...when was the last time you heard of someone getting in trouble for not having their children's shots up to date?

I know I come across very strong on this but this is my passion...I want to see this nation healed and our children have a hope for their futures. I want to see them able to run and play and laugh like we did as children. The days of playing in trees and playing in teh neighborhood seem so long ago.

I hope more people read this..

What About Abstinence?


I was holding a notice from my 13-year-old son's school announcing a meeting to preview the new course in sexuality. Parents could examine the curriculum and take part in an actual lesson presented exactly as it would be given to the students.

When I arrived at the school, I was surprised to discover only about a dozen parents there. As we waited for the presentation, I thumbed through page after page of instructions in the prevention of pregnancy or disease. I found abstinence mentioned only in passing. When the teacher arrived with the school nurse, she asked if there were any questions. I asked why abstinence did not play a noticeable part in the material.

What happened next was shocking.

There was a great deal of laughter, and someone suggested that if I thought abstinence had any merit, I should go back to burying my head in the sand.

The teacher and the nurse said nothing as I drowned in a sea of embarrassment. My mind had gone blank, and I could think of nothing to say.

The teacher explained to me that the job of the school was to teach "facts," and the home was responsible for moral training.

I sat in silence for the next 20 minutes as the course was explained. The other parents seemed to give their unqualified support to the materials.

"Donuts, at the back," announced the teacher during the break.

"I'd like you to put on the name tags we have prepared-they're right by the donuts-and mingle with the other parents.

Everyone moved to the back of the room.

As I watched them affixing their nametags and shaking hands, I sat deep in thought. I was ashamed that I had not been able to convince them to include a serious discussion of abstinence in the materials. I uttered a silent prayer for guidance.

My thoughts were interrupted by the teacher's hand on my shoulder.

"Won't you join the others, Mr. Layton?" The nurse smiled sweetly at me. "The donuts are good."

"Thank you, no," I replied.

"Well, then, how about a name tag? I'm sure the others would like to meet you."

"Somehow I doubt that," I replied.

"Won't you please join them?" she coaxed.

Then I heard a still, small voice whisper, "Don't go." The instruction was unmistakable. "Don't go!"

"I'll just wait here," I said.

When the class was called back to order, the teacher looked around the long table and thanked everyone for putting on nametags. She ignored me.

Then she said, "Now we're going to give you the same lesson we'll be giving your children. Everyone please peel off your name tags." I watched in silence as the tags came off.

"Now, then, on the back of one of the tags, I drew a tiny flower. Who has it, please?"

The gentleman across from me held it up.

"Here it is!" "All right," she said.

"The flower represents disease. Do you recall with whom you shook hands?"

He pointed to a couple of people. "Very good," she replied.

"The handshake in this case represents intimacy. So the two people you had contact with now have the disease."

There was laughter and joking among the parents.

The teacher continued, "And whom did the two of You shake hands with?"

The point was well taken, and she explained how this lesson would show students how quickly disease is spread.

"Since we all shook hands, we all have the disease."

It was then that I heard the still, small voice again. "Speak now, it said, "but be humble."

I noted wryly the latter admonition, then rose from my chair.

I apologized for any upset I might have caused earlier, congratulated the teacher on an excellent lesson that would impress the youth, and concluded by saying I had only one small point I wished to make.

"Not all of us were infected," I said. "One of us ... abstained."

Robert Layton
Condensed From Ensign



"You shall not commit adultery."
Exodus 20:14 NKJV

"Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known."
Deuteronomy 11:26-28 NKJV

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, Colossians 3:5-6 NKJV

Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Hebrews 13:4 NKJV

Submitted by Richard

 

[Enacielle777]

What a GREAT example! Now...by doing that, the people in the meeting were FORCED to take notice! This gentleman set the example and through an example of divine appointment like I have never heard, he caused a school nurse and a school teacher to have to look at the very cirriculum THEY developed! That is awesome! God is so amazing.

I do have to say that I am very blessed to have my daugther in a school that DOES teach abstinance and has a program called VIP in which the children are taught about how important it is to honor their bodies and not participate in premarital sex. I wish a lot more schools would have such programs!

Thank you so much for sharing this story, StoryTeller.

 

[The Story Teller]

What a GREAT example! Now...by doing that, the people in the meeting were FORCED to take notice! This gentleman set the example and through an example of divine appointment like I have never heard, he caused a school nurse and a school teacher to have to look at the very cirriculum THEY developed! That is awesome! God is so amazing.

I do have to say that I am very blessed to have my daugther in a school that DOES teach abstinance and has a program called VIP in which the children are taught about how important it is to honor their bodies and not participate in premarital sex. I wish a lot more schools would have such programs!

Thank you so much for sharing this story, StoryTeller.

Be sure you pass it on..