KATU 2's report on sex ed.... (Parents preview!)

[Wetwrk2]

I hope this doesn't get me kicked off Ifish but folks please pay attention to what the schools are teaching our kid's. I almost threw-up. When the schools asked us to allow our daughter to attend, we went with our gut feeling and a lot of prayers and said no. And I'm glad!!! Someone needs to hang over this one!!! - Seth
ps. I take the media with a grain of salt most of the time
but this is just wrong!

[steelheadslayer]

As a parent of a 14 yr old boy and 9 yr old girl I was shocked at the pamplets they were showing. Sex ed is a good thing for schools to teach because some parents just can't or won't discuss this with their kids. I just don't want the schools teaching my kids how to have sex. Present the info and leave the rest to the parents to clarify and make sure the info is right.

[Wetwrk2]

They should have taught the class first to the parents. Then let the parents decide based on the information, to decide if that was ok for their children. Sheesh...that same Stars program was who was going to teach my daughter. I'm sure it wasn't the same individual but... Parents should have been advised exactly...and I mean exactly what information was going to be presented, and how and what they were going to try to teach. If I had my way it'd be simple, even if it were a lie....99% of sex results in pregnancy. Teach how easy it is to concieve not how to get around it. Grrrr... tough times to be a Dad!-Seth

[Straydog]

Can anyone share what the pamphlet and curriculum contained, and still be within the rules of the board?

[Pete]

0

[Fast Water]

I get to preview the sex ed/HIV prevention material next week before determining whether my 11 y/o gets to see it.

A 5th grader! For crying out loud! That stuff did't come about until I was in 8th grade!

The State says it is mandatory education. (mandatory as in the schools must supply the education, but the parents still decide if it is right for their children.)

[STGRule]

If 11 year-olds didn't get pregnant, you would be correct that it's a little early. Unfortunately 9 and 10 year olds get pregnant. It's a sad thing all the way around.

[Fast Water]

That has been the case throughout the history of human kind.

[Herring Problem]

Post deleted by fishtales

[Wetwrk2]

Everyone has a opinion on how to raise their children. I just think we as parents have a responsibility to see and understand just exactly what someone else has decided our kids need to learn. I myself do not approve of this explicit type of learning. Nor do I approve of whats on televison...thus I do not have cable TV. We rent movies, and my wife and I screen each one. Strict??? I used to have TV and one year couldn't get cable and went a summer without it. And it stuck, we had so much fun doing family things together, and reading we just never went back. I mean really what are we truely missing??? My kids are in public schools, as was I and when they have questions they ask and we answer its that easy. Anyone for high stakes "UNO??" he-he

[crazy_frog]

I say teach the little buggers at home and at school. What are you so affraid of. Trust me, trying to keep sex a secret only leads to more curiosity. I don't know where you grew up but these are different times. When I was in middle school kids were having sex.

[Wetwrk2]

So having the instructor allegedly volunteer to be a sex counselor to the children is ok? I grew up in the 80's by the way he-he-he, maybe thats why I'm so involved in my kids if my folks had any idea of what I'd done, or said, or saw they'd a croaked he-he-he!- Seth Freeman

ps. please don't go by what the reply's are check out KATU's website and see for yourself

[crazy_frog]

A sex counselor seems very strange. But talking about the alignment of genitals and appropriate hardware to avoid pregnation in combination with a plead for abstenance seems appropriate. As well as talking about relationships seems appropriate. Otherwise, kids learn stuff on the net.

[Spotted Owl]

Grow up! We had graphic sex ed when I came thru to grades. Knowledge is good, hiding your head in the sand isn't going to help.

Are you serious? I hope I am understanding your statment wrong.

Grow up thats easy to say but, how about we say to the kids stay kids as long as you can.

No reason to push this on them at some of the ages they start at. Have you seen some of the stuff they are showing and teaching the kids? I have and that is one of the prime reasons why our kids are not in the public system. Some of the stuff I have seen has IMO beyond an "R" rating. If you have kids, ask the school to show you what they teach you may be suprised at what you see. Alot of what is being taught that I have seen goes past education. It goes right into tutorial and how to, in some cases it is almost a step by step guide of how to.

I agree some education is need. There are some families that under no circumstances will sex be talked about so education needs to come from some place. Every kids needs to know the risks and consequinces(sp). If that is where they kept the education to and really hammered that home I'm sure that would be all that is needed. Explaining why people like to partake in the act or comparing the feeling to something they understand does nothing but cause more curiosity and wonder which = more kids active in sex.

What ever happened to having a child(ren) is alot of damn hard work, sacrifice, cost, hassel, responsiblity. How many friends will want to hang out with a screaming kids in the next seat over. Oh no we need to stop or pull over the baby needs to be changed, fed, brupped you name it. Oh I can't talk right now the baby is crying, pooping, eating sleeping.
Oh I can't the baby is, what ever you can come up with parents will tell ya that the baby will put the stops to it. Perhaps not every time but more often than not. How about bring in some teenage mothers and fathers to explain first hand the way that the kids they will be talking to will understand I'm sure there are a few that would be able to talk about how tough things can and do get

How about some of this info being part of the sex ed programs.

They will learn in time why sex is good and what the ramafications will be if something should come of it and will be more preped to deal with what is comming. NO BODY IS EVER READY they are just as preped as they can be.

They don't need to be taught how to get help after, how to get assistance after, how to get, find or recieve what ever after. They need to know why and how not to get to that point of needing help. Until they are to that point in there lives which they are able to prep for what is to come, any age from high school graduation down is not to that point in any lives.

I as well as many here understand the ramafications of having kids young. I was just barely 18 and my now wife(10yrs) was only 17. Were we ready NO NO NO.

HOLY CRAP

Where do you start and end with this one?

Thats just the pregnant part. I don't even want to get into the disease and sickness aspects of this.

Anyone remember Fatal Attraction the younger kids start the easier and more attatched they get. Talk to some counselors they will tell you that this is starting to happen as the age is and has been dropping. I'm not talking bunnies and such but in some cases almost to that extreme and every place inbetween on the scale.

This is all from experience and first hand research(I figured my kids were worth it to find out for them and myself). Holy moly I don't know how to stop start or keep going on this one.

Please let our kids be kids.


Owl

[crazy_frog]

I read the article and was shocked. However, not so sure that anything on there was new information to high school kids. Its seems that recent studies show that most kids are having sex by the time they leave hs. Is it appropriate, safe, or healthy? I am not sure. I may have more well defined thoughts when my child hits that age. Crazy_frog out.

[JustCallMeDave]

0

[Wetwrk2]

Amen, Spotted Owl!! These are tough times for kids, innocence ends up being lost way to early these days, and constant monitoring seems to be the best way. On a twist my wife who was in church schools her whole adolescence was totally unprepared for pubic college and basically went nuts he-he. Almost a sheep to the wolves. I've seen that first hand over and over in the military. We get over-sheltered young ladies and gents thrown into a grown-up world of sailors....and well sailors and it's usually a disaster for'em. But in the end it'll be up to the morals we've instilled in'em and good communication to get them through it. Even then...heck they'll blow it, hopefully it's small issues- Seth

[Cool Texan]

Stray...go to KATU's web site...they have the "pamphlet" on there. Wow. Pretty amazing story. Always makes me wonder in times like these....what were they thinking?!?

[STGRule]

I went and looked. I guess I'm a prude at some level. That was a bit much. Although they did say it was for high-school students. As somebody who grew up in a very religiously active family, that got married at 16, and became a mom 2 months later at the age of 17, mom again at 21, I can see some good too. My original husband and I just had our 33rd wedding anniversary. I don't think most will have that luck. And as uncomfortable as it may be, I guess I'd rather they had every option.

[STGRule]

And just in case you think it can't happen to your child.... I went to church every Sunday, I sang solos in the church choir, and I was in the National Honor Society.

[2LEYS]

Wow. I was shocked. <Please follow the link for specifics> Yeah. Doing those things will defenetely make them not want to go all the way.

I got my sex education in the 90's on the street by looking at 1980's Hustlers and watching bootlegged 1970's **** that cycled through the town and got a milder intro then these kids got.

[steelhead_fishn]

I have a son and a daughter. My plan is quite simple. Teach the kids what they need to know at home openly and honestly before they get a neighborhood education. Curiosity and peer pressure killed the cat. If you raise a self confident child with tools to make the right choices you won't have a problem. Its your responsibility as the parent to give them those tools. I won't worry an ounce about what my children are exposed to because I am confident in the job that my wife and I do at home.

If you prepare your children properly they will look at things like this and laugh instead of using it as an owners manual.

In my not so distant high school experience the children with the strictest parents let loose they most. They were well behaved until about 9th grade and then curiosity combined with biological awakenings lead them to make poor decisions. My friends with open and honest parents typically made more informed decisions.

Jeff

[fish_on]

I graduated 14 years ago and if this list was all we were doing it would have been pretty boaring. This list is just a good start

[roadsend]

"I get to preview the sex ed/HIV prevention material next week ..."

What organization(s) create and publish this "material"?
Have these pamphlets been reviewed and approved by local and state boards or curriculum authorities?

[2LEYS]

I graduated 14 years ago and if this list was all we were doing it would have been pretty boaring. This list is just a good start

Exactly. Encouraging these things would just be a start to more things.

Private school seems like a better investement everyday.

[Fast Water]

The State of Washington.

The Woodland Scool district Policy as follows:
_________________________________________________

Policy No. 2126
Instruction
HIV/AIDS AND STD PREVENTION EDUCATION
The life-threatening dangers of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and other
sexually transmitted diseases and their prevention shall be taught in the district. HIV/AIDS
prevention education shall be limited to the discussion of the life-threatening dangers of the
disease, its spread, and prevention. Students shall receive such education at least once each
school year beginning no later than the fifth grade.
The HIV/AIDS prevention education program shall be developed in consultation with teachers,
administrators, parents, and other community members including, but not limited to, persons
from medical, public health, and mental health organizations and agencies. The curricula and
materials used in the HIV/AIDS education program may be the model curricula and resources
available through SPI or, if developed by the school district, be approved for medical accuracy
by the office on HIV/AIDS. District-developed curricula shall be submitted to the office on
HIV/AIDS accompanied by an affidavit of medical accuracy stating that the material in the
district-developed curricula has been compared to the model curricula for medical accuracy and
that in the opinion of the district the district-developed materials are medically accurate. Upon
submission of the affidavit and curricula, the district may use these materials until the approval
procedure to be conducted by the office of HIV/AIDS has been completed.
At least one month before teaching HIV/AIDS prevention education in any classroom the district
will conduct, during convenient hours for the parents and guardians of students, at least one
presentation concerning the curricula and materials that will be used for such education. The
parents and guardians shall be notified of the presentation. The curricula and materials shall be
available for inspection. No student may be required to participate in HIV/AIDS prevention
education if the student's parent or guardian objects in writing to participation.
The curriculum for HIV/AIDS prevention education shall be designed to teach students which
behaviors place a person dangerously at risk of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases and methods to avoid such risk including, at least:
the dangers of drug abuse, especially that involving the use of hypodermic needles; and
the dangers of sexual intercourse, with or without condoms.
The program of HIV/AIDS prevention education shall stress the life-threatening dangers of
contracting HIV/AIDS and shall stress that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain
means for the prevention of the spread or contraction of the HIV/AIDS virus through sexual
contact. The instruction shall also stress that condoms and other artificial means of birth control
are not a certain means of preventing the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus; reliance on condoms
puts an individual at risk for exposure to the disease.
Cross References: Board Policy 3414 Infectious Diseases
2125 Health, Family Life and Sex Education
Legal References: RCW 28A.230.070 AIDS Education in public schools
Adoption Date: July 17, 2002
Woodland School District #404

[Straydog]

Thanks CT.

Wow...... as a school board member, I can only say the stuff would hit the fan in our district, if material such as that were distributed.

The health teacher made a huge error in inviting a guest and not being fully informed in terms of what the guest intended to say, and what material would be distributed. Further, I have to assume the teacher was aware of what was in the pamphlet once it was being distributed, or shortly there after. The teacher should have never allowed it to be passed out or sent home.

I am all for sex education at school starting in 5th grade. Obviously you structure the curriculum to be age appropriate. You also should give parents an overview of what will be covered and an option to have their kids opt out of the class. That is how we do it in our district.

In a perfect world, all parents would teach their children these things. Unfortunately, our world is far from perfect.

PLEASE understand that these two examples are not the norm and in most schools this would have never happened as it did.

[TroutGirl]

I was ready to be very critical of you folks and imply prudishness, until I watched the video. I'm horrified. I don't have kids, but if I did, I wouldn't want any adult figure to be giving them all that. Seemed more like Cosmo magazine than school.

There was some very very bad decision making at that school. First up, why is a guest speaker teaching this important subject? Why isn't it someone who is within the community, meeting parents on conferrence night, and answerable to parents, principal, and school board? Next, the regular health teacher was there, and didn't put a stop to the presentation. If the health teacher is too uncomfortable to teach the subject, thats a problem. Its also a problem that the teacher wasn't assertive in a situation where a guest in the classroom was clearly crossing a line.

My bet is, that if the regular health teacher had to teach sex ed, it would be the biological basics of conception and STD's, abstinence, and contraception. The regular teacher would be conservative in their approach, because they have to answer to a chain of command. I think that whoever brought those speakers in, should be severley reprimanded. I also think that any school official or teacher that sat there through those presentations, and booklet handouts, should be reprimanded for not stopping something in progress.

The irony is, the teacher probably didn't stop the guest speaker because that would have been embarrassing to interrupt them and make a change. That guest speaker may have been persuasive, suave, and assertive. We expect the kids in a sexual situation to put a stop that proceeding, even though it may be embarrassing, and the other person might be persuasive and powerful.

Sure would have been good for the teacher to show them how to "just say no" to someone.

I did have sex ed taught when I was in school. I think the most persuasive thing was quite graphic movie that was shown in highschool. That movie was a film of a delivery with all the blood, gore, and screaming pain. I think every girl crossed her legs, and every boy winced. It certainly made you think about where sex might lead to.

I do think that sex ed should be taught in schools. I just think it should be taught well, conservatively, and by a teacher who is a constant presence in their life and in their community.

[STGRule]

I too went into this with the same thoughts. I was thinking, "here we go again". But this was too much. No doubt about it.

[Lucky one]

Some of you might need to realize that kids are going to learn about sex one way or another. I for one would much rather have them learn all about it in a controlled environment where they can ask questions and dismiss myths and rumors. They need to learn to be safe, they need to learn the consequences, and they need reinforcements about these from the parents. If you think you are avoiding a hassle about sex ed by sending your kids to private school your wrong. Your running a risk that your child will learn about sex by giving in to NATURAL urges that are corsing through their changing bodies.

I would much rather have an embarrassing talk with my kid after they learned about sex in school then to have to talk about how to raise a child with them or how to cope with and STD for the rest of their life.

[Straydog]

So did I STG. That is why I wanted to see what was presented before I commented.

I was shocked. It is totaly over the top, in my book. My guess is there will be no fear of it being repeated in those schools.

I do understand bringing in someone other than the classroom teacher. Many teachers say they are uncomfortable teaching this to kids they interact with daily. It is embarassing to them and we allow them to use county nurses or other community experts on the subject, but always preview the materials at the district level before the schools are turned loose with it.

[roadsend]

"The health teacher made a huge error in inviting a guest and not being fully informed in terms of what the guest intended to say, and what material would be distributed. Further, I have to assume the teacher was aware of what was in the pamphlet once it was being distributed, or shortly there after. The teacher should have never allowed it to be passed out or sent home."

I fully concur with your sentiment and agree that "the stuff would hit the fan ....if material such as that were distributed." in almost every Oregon school district.
Has it, however, been established that the health teacher, in fact, invited the presenters? Perhaps they were invited at the direction of some higher authority and the health teacher did not feel that he had the horsepower to intervene in their presentation.

[Straydog]

Good point roadsend. It was not made clear who did the inviting.

[fish0n]

I have a clip of a radio show that talks about what kind of stuff these"counselors" have brought into the school. They talk about a "sexual survey" they gave to 1st 3rd and 5th graders. And the supreme court in our district ruled that YOU have no say what they teach your kids about sex. If you want to hear the clip click the link. Then click on the "Public schools vs. parents rights" in the 1/8/06 section of the programs. Its short but full of info I think you might want to know.

http://radio.thebereancall.org/radio/2006/2006.htm

[TroutGirl]

I'd just like to remind everyone, that you do have a say. You do vote for your school board. Your school board has open public meetings at which you can testify. And the school board can set policy and expectations for curricula.

Look up who's on your school board and send them a quick e-mail about this news story, the debate, here, and your feelings. Ask the school board member to respond to you with what your district is doing. Ask for your districts policy.

You can make a difference in your schools.

[sinker]

I graduated high school in 91 and we had this class when I was in 5th grade.

My wife works in a high school special ed program and some parents would never tell their kids anything if it weren't for the schools doing it. She can't say anything in the position she's in but does observe it and it's pretty sad how uninformed some of these kids are. Special ed or not it's a primal instinct that they will act on if they're taught about it or not. May as well teach them right.

She also worked as a counselor at girl scout summer camps. As some of the girls began the change into womenhood at summer camp at 10 and 11 they had no clue what was happening. Thought they were going to die but had to wait until their mother came and picked them up before anyone could say anything to them.

It's quite sad how uninformed kids are. I was. My parents didn't say squat, they seen I was going to have a class about it and left it at that. Was it right for me, I think so but I think girls go through alot more mentally and physically when changing and without some warning it can be pretty shocking what happens.

Have a niece that went to church every sunday, parents didn't believe in sex ed, promotes promiscuity, she has a boyfriend at 15 and asks for the pill, nope promotes promiscuity, ends up pregnant and gives that kid up for adoption. At 17 she asks for the pill, nope promotes promiscuity (I thought they'd see the flawed logic by this point), sure enough ends up pregnant again, marries the loser and he's working part time at Walgreens (had this job for a record 8-9 months now). They're living in a rathole apartment on welfare and don't plan on changing anything.

Raising your kids in the dark doesn't do them (or they're kids) any favors. This is one example but I've got alot more as I'm sure everyone knows of someone like this.

[sinker]

Ok, I just did some searching and seen the pamphlets everyone is talking about.

IN NO WAY WAS MY ABOVE POST DEFENDING THAT.

There's a huge difference between teaching proper protection practices and then actually teaching foreplay and technique.

[Pete]

Let's keep the focus on the policy of the school board, not the content of the program, ok?

[Fshklr]

Mark.
I think it was OVERBOARD..one student said the teacher held up a model of the female reproductive organ bought from **** shop etc , and then asked pink or blue???

after a color was chosen she held up a replica of the male reproductive organ also bought from a **** shop etc.

This is not Sex Education :blush:..it is a crash course in ****!!!

My kids (now approching 21) would not have been allowed to attend this class if I knew of the content, until they were legally able to purchase the items shown.

[Straydog]

I'd just like to remind everyone, that you do have a say. You do vote for your school board. Your school board has open public meetings at which you can testify. And the school board can set policy and expectations for curricula.

Look up who's on your school board and send them a quick e-mail about this news story, the debate, here, and your feelings. Ask the school board member to respond to you with what your district is doing. Ask for your districts policy.

You can make a difference in your schools.

Great advice, thank you TroutGirl, you are right on the money.

People not only have a right, they have a responsibility, to be involved in their child's education. There is no supreme court in the land that will keep me from having a say in what my child does or does not receive in school.

It is very disheartening to me to witness the lack of involvment by way too many parents, in terms of their child's education. The only way one can seem to get parental involvment in a school board meeting is to put the notion of cutting athletics on the agenda. Then they come out of the woodwork.

Our board does get quite a bit of input from certain community members, most not parents of school kids, asking that we only allow abstinence training in our schools. We will not go that route. Our curriculum focuses on abstinence first and as abstinence being the ONLY 100% way to avoid pregnancy and STD's, but also teaches protection. We also teach avoidance methods. The material in the pamphlet in question, is quite the opposite of that, in my mind.

[Dullhook]

Get involved in your school board and local government is right!

If not this could be the result:

Maryland School Board Approves
Pro-Gay Sex Education Curriculum
--Rejects Ex-Gay Viewpoint
November 10, 2004 - The Montgomery County, Maryland public school system adopted a pro-gay sex education curriculum on November 9. The materials will teach 10th graders how to put condoms on cucumbers, use flavored condoms for oral sex, and 8th graders will be taught that homosexual couples are the newest American family

[mr.jed]

hey,what is wrong with this, have you thought that maybe some ifishers might be gay or lesbian, your statement is offensive.

[Dullhook]

hey,what is wrong with this,

I certainly apologize to anyone that feels this is a proper education curriculum for tenth grade kids, or a wise use of citizen tax dollars.

I personally believe that this type of "teaching" would belong in the privacy of the home.

[Straydog]

I sure hope this thread dosen't get locked, it is too important.

Having said that, based on the small sample of the article provided, I see great bias in the headline.

To say providing the facts are "pro" anything is showing the bias of the headline writer. We teach the history of slavery as fact..... does that make us "pro slavery"?

Scrutinize carefully, everything you read.

[Wetwrk2]

I just wanted Ifish parents aware if they weren't. I wasn't pointing out good parents...bad parents or in-between. None of us are perfect, and bad things are still going to happen to all of us no matter how hard we try to protect our kids. It'll be up to the children themselves to have enough confidence, and a strong home to fall back to..and above all good communication and trust with their parents. Back in the 70's and 80's in good ole' Baker City when I was a pup things were much simplier. Did teens get pregnant?? sure they did, did kids use drugs?? sure they did. But I don't think..or at least I didn't feel this was acceptable. I just think in these modern times bad things aren't taught as bad, they are only teaching acceptance and tolerance for EVERYTHING. I think "my opinion" is if anything...religious beliefs, drugs, sex, whatever can harm, or cause harm, or hurts or may hurt the child or others it needs to be taught as wrong. Not sugar coated, not "here's exceptions", not here's ways around it. It needs to be taught as wrong. HARM = Wrong, bad, don't do it. Then teach why it is. Show outcomes, take a trip to the hospital to show someone wasting away from AIDS, show what the drug life really is in Oregon...run down, garbage piled shacks. Invite kids raising kids. Not movies, not TV shows and not video games, but real people...thats what I wish could happen. My retirement is coming up in three short years and maybe then I can help. We all need to help. Thanks again folks- Seth Freeman

[Straydog]

Seth,

Thanks for starting a valuable discussion.

While I agree with your basic premise, identfying wrong or harm is the difficult part, as we live in a society with variable agreement on many issues, in terms of right and wrong, harmful not harmful.

Heck, one need only jump to the fishing forum and read a few of the 'wild vs hatchery' harvest threads, or 'gill nets vs sports' threads to understand that what is right or wrong to some, is much different to others.

[Fast Water]

Dan,

I watched that KATU vids. That's a real head shaker. The schools got duped into thinking they were getting professional educators. Not the case.

I glad I get to preview the material prior to my kids seeing it.

[Wetwrk2]

There's a big formal appology I guess it was a accident he-he-he. "The wrong" pamplets got put in. What a cop-out. In my line of work mistakes mean lives...and having the responsibility means just that.. if you blow it you are very, very accountable. I agree Stray...society is so variable these days. Think how confusing it must be for the kids... you sit in a class for a hour to learn to obstain, then go home and play video games, and watch television shows for 10 hours showing how "this is what real grown-ups do." Almost every magazine on the shelves are just how to loose weight and have better sex. Ever notice how every single magazine rack has a bikini clad gal put right in front. And I don't mean by the store...some "funny-guy" jerk always opens the Maxum right to the gal and leaves it there for the kids to see. Grrr. I swear its war these days..... Ooops here I go again, off on a tangent he-he-he. Tough times for parenting!!!! For sure!!-Seth

[Queeg]

Everybody was going on like it was part of the school curriculum. I read the story and it was a pamphlet handed out during an HIV/AIDS presentation made by an outside group.

While the illustration is a little weird, the message is well-intended. If you think kids are not going interact sexually, you are living in quaint little fantasy world.

They need to be armed with facts about the harsh REALITY of pregnancy and STDs.

And remember, this was in Eugene. The kids could probably pick up that pamphlet in the grocery store.

It WAS a bit over the top, and they admitted it. Don't panic.

[Straydog]

Wetwrk2,

I hear you loud and clear. It's not only the sex thing.

We teach our kids to say no to sex and drugs by day, but when they are in front of the TV, every other ad is selling sex or selling drugs, except for the frequent addition of the ones selling drugs for sex....... :whazzup:

No one said it was going to be easy, I guess.

[The Chub]

I swear, fishing needs to pick up SOON!

[HammondSeaRanger]

i watched the videos, I listend to the radio spot, and I read all these posts before commiting to an opinion.

I am liberal about sex ed in school. I think it is appropriate. but I do have to say this was way over the top.

You can teach sex ed in a tastefull, educating, factual format that will not offend the majority (your alwyas going to offend someone) ... give the parent an option of pulling out thier kid if they want to .. give us parents a chance to preview the material.

my two cents.

[Molly B]

I have a son and a daughter. My plan is quite simple. Teach the kids what they need to know at home openly and honestly before they get a neighborhood education. Curiosity and peer pressure killed the cat. If you raise a self confident child with tools to make the right choices you won't have a problem. Its your responsibility as the parent to give them those tools. I won't worry an ounce about what my children are exposed to because I am confident in the job that my wife and I do at home.

If you prepare your children properly they will look at things like this and laugh instead of using it as an owners manual.

In my not so distant high school experience the children with the strictest parents let loose they most. They were well behaved until about 9th grade and then curiosity combined with biological awakenings lead them to make poor decisions. My friends with open and honest parents typically made more informed decisions.

Jeff

Believe me I don't want my kids having sex too soon either, but we need to deal with reality. How do you think we all got here? It is a "primal drive" as someone else said. The ideal would be that all kids got educated at home, and it wouldn't even be needed at school, but I think we all know that isn't the reality. Like someone else said, if you don't like the school's sex ed curriculum, you can always keep your kid out. My sons had the "baby think it over" doll from health class. The damn thing bawled all night keeping them up. Believe me, it made them think. Scaring kids and keeping information away from them doesn't work, they'll get their info SOMEWHERE. The more taboo you make it, the more curious they're going to be.

[Cloud-Nine]

Why is it that when sex ed in school an issue it gets 877 reads and 50+ comments? When nobody seems nearly as interested in what does the school teaches with regards to the 3 R's.
Dick