Sex Ed: Ethics and Effect

[quatona]

What do you think should be taught in sex ed?

The point is: I am starting from a totally different idea. You and I don´t have any common ground for discussing this.

 

[KCfromNC]

Why does the reduction of stds and teen pregnancy prove--in themselves--that comprehensive sex ed is the correct way to teach sex ed?

Why are you asking me this? It has little to do with what I posted.

Also, is the relation of stds and teen pregnancy to comprehensive sex ed a correlation or a causation?

And how strong is the relation?

Another question unrelated to my post. I'm sure you could find by looking at the research if you're interested in following up on those issues.

 

[KCfromNC]

I think the media generally has a morally-relativistic agenda, especially as to sex, and that they aren't likely to think deeply about sex ed.

I think it may well be true that comprehensive sex ed reduces STDs and teen pregnancies--and that abstinence-only sex ed (as opposed to actual abstinence) does not.

(Though it is confusing, because some studies show that kids in abstinence-only programs are as likely to use condoms if they do have sex, and that comprehensive sex ed does not reduce STDs)

But the media seems to condition us to believe that this proves that comprehensive sex ed is somehow better and more scientific and advanced.

Are they, for example, looking honestly at the issue of whether the better abstinence-only programs are reducing teen sexual activity, and how this is impacting them in the long term as far as having more psycho-sexual maturity, being less likely to get addicted to inappropriate contentography, being less likely to have emotional illness, being less likely to divorce, etc?

How would you go about determining their level of honesty in answering these questions. Is there anything which would lead you to think that they are being honest if their conclusions disagree with your guesses?

 

[Cute Tink]

So your "Comprehensive Sex Ed" spent a lot of time on abstinence? What did they say about it besides it being the only sure way of avoiding STDs and pregnancy?

I remember it being brought up more than once. What else do you think they should say about it?

 

[patricius79]

I remember it being brought up more than once. What else do you think they should say about it?

I was just wondering what your comprehensive sex ed taught about abstinence.

As far as what I think they should say about it:

I think that teens should be told that abstinence is part of God's plan for sexuality, and that it allows them to grow in psycho-sexual maturity, rather than getting stuck in sexual adolescence, sometimes for life.

They should be taught that sexual feelings can be recieved in a positive, innocent way as energy for becoming more loving and thoughtful people.

I think they should be told that inappropriate contentography will make it much more difficult to be abstinent or happy.

Things like that.

 

[Paulos23]

My school district started sex ed at 7th grade. It was a big deal at the time, the whole school had the classes at the same time, and there was a lot of frank discussions. I think they where trying to identify those that where sexually active early, but I have no evidence for that. Early classes where about sex, the babies it makes, and STD's. Later they went over condoms and other preventive measures. In high school they focused on all of that, plus pregnancy and teen pregnancy. I remember one film on a teen couple that got pregnant, moved into their own place, and in the end she decided to give the kid up for adoption (I am sure there is more, but that is what I remember). This was in the mid 80's. It was a good program and covered enough to keep pregnancy down to about two out of a senor class of 500.

Many of my fellow guy classmates didn't learn what I leaned, which was if you get a girl pregnant, your responsible. You have changed her life and put challenges before her that she may not be ready for. Plus, you have a child that you should be responsible for, if it was born. The worse thing for most teens in our society is to have to care for a baby that stops you from going out and partying (not that I was into that, but many of my classmates where). If you get that into their heads, they will think twice about sex.

 

[patricius79]

Why are you asking me this? It has little to do with what I posted.



Another question unrelated to my post. I'm sure you could find by looking at the research if you're interested in following up on those issues.

I'm trying to find out why people believe that a correlation between comprehensive sex ed and lower rates of stds/teen pregnancy would show that this is the correct way of teaching sex ed.

Can you help me?

 

[Cearbhall]

I'm not expecting to win an argument here. I realize I'll be in the minority, and less intelligent and less-informed than most who respond.
[...]
Personally, my current position is that kids (in high school, not earlier) should be delicately taught about things like contraceptives and abortion (just so they hear about these things in schools first rather than their peers first)--as well as why they are wrong

I realize you don't want to get into an argument, so in response to this part, I'll just state that I don't believe they're wrong, so I have no interest in figuring out how to make schools teach that.

If anyone has been taught abstinence-only sex ed in schools I would like to know their experience and what it entailed.

Can't help you there (thank goodness).

 

[patricius79]

The point is: I am starting from a totally different idea. You and I don´t have any common ground for discussing this.

What is the "totally different idea" you are "starting from"?

 

[SuperCloud]

Many of my fellow guy classmates didn't learn what I leaned, which was if you get a girl pregnant, your responsible. You have changed her life and put challenges before her that she may not be ready for. Plus, you have a child that you should be responsible for, if it was born. The worse thing for most teens in our society is to have to care for a baby that stops you from going out and partying (not that I was into that, but many of my classmates where). If you get that into their heads, they will think twice about sex.

Modern feminism is about reducing female personal responsibility at every turn. Given your statements--in light of legalized abortion and the female "my body, my choice," thing--I'm hazarding a guess you're a male feminist since you place the responsibility of a female becoming impregnated solely on the dude?

How about "The two of you have changed her life..." rather than "You have..."? And how about "Plus, you both have a child that you both should be responsible for..."

How about that kind of sexual equality. We all know that if a 30 year-old female teacher "rapes" a 16 year-old male student of her's that he's financially responsible for the child born from that sexual union until that child becomes age 18. Assuming his so-called "rapist" does not "choose" to have an abortion per "her body her choice" religious dogma.

 

[Desk trauma]

As far as what I think they should say about it:

I think that teens should be told that abstinence is part of God's plan for sexuality, ...

How would you get that past the pesky church state thing?

 

[quatona]

What is the "totally different idea" you are "starting from"?

I don´t presuppose or preconceive any moralities that I want to be taught in those classes. Plus, I don´t know that there are gods.

 

[Cearbhall]

Teen pregnancy and std's were virtually unknown, or carefully concealed, back then.

Which is pretty impressive, since the teen pregnancy rate was so much higher in the 1950s than it is today. I suppose a higher percentage of them were teen brides and didn't stand out. Some were simply sent away, though. I'm glad we don't do that today.

 

[patricius79]

I realize you don't want to get into an argument, so in response to this part, I'll just state that I don't believe they're wrong, so I have no interest in figuring out how to make schools teach that.

Can't help you there (thank goodness).

Do you know why the statistical reduction of teen STDs and teen pregnancy are considered the main standard of proving what we should teach in the schools?

 

[patricius79]

How would you get that past the pesky church state thing?

I'm only thinking of what should be taught, not what can be taught. But one way of getting past it is homeschooling, or sending kids to private schools, or--if this is possible--exempting them from public school sex ed (or parts of it), and teaching them oneself of finding someone else to do so.

 

[Cearbhall]

Do you know why the statistical reduction of teen STDs and teen pregnancy are considered the main standard of proving what we should teach in the schools?

Most everyone wants to be able to avoid STDs and decide when/if they get pregnant. Other aims, such as remaining "pure," tend to be more subjective and don't apply to as many people.

 

[patricius79]

I don´t presuppose or preconceive any moralities that I want to be taught in those classes. Plus, I don´t know that there are gods.

Are you presupposing empiricism?

 

[Cute Tink]

I was just wondering what your comprehensive sex ed taught about abstinence.

As far as what I think they should say about it:

I think that teens should be told that abstinence is part of God's plan for sexuality, and that it allows them to grow in psycho-sexual maturity, rather than getting stuck in sexual adolescence, sometimes for life.

They should be taught that sexual feelings can be recieved in a positive, innocent way as energy for becoming more loving and thoughtful people.

I think they should be told that inappropriate contentography will make it much more difficult to be abstinent or happy.

Things like that.

I went to a public school. I think being told by your government teachers that it's a part of "God's plan" is a little inappropriate in that situation. The rest I don't have a problem with, provided they can explain the basis for each statement if someone has questions.

 

[patricius79]

Most everyone wants to be able to avoid STDs and decide when/if they get pregnant.

True, but why does that mean that if comprehensive sex ed statistically correlates with lower STDs and teen pregnancies, then that is the correct way of teaching sex ed?

 

[Cearbhall]

True, but why does that mean that if comprehensive sex ed statistically correlates with lower STDs and teen pregnancies, then that is the correct way of teaching sex ed?

You're going in a circle. The answer to this is exactly what I just said. This is what people want to know, and what they want their children to know. It's the best way because it fulfills the two goals that you mentioned, and others.