Sex education isn't all negative effects and nothing more, there are some important things to look at on the other side of the argument.
One of the most important of these is the "Where else?" question. If students don't learn about this new world of sexuality from a realiable, safe source such as our schools, where else will they learn it? I wouldn't want a child of mine to be learning about sex from rumours spread around amongst friends. Some would argue that they can learn it from their parents, but not all parents are comfortable speaking to their children about sensitive subjects such as these, especially at a young age. I believe that schools can provide a safe and educational learning experience in this area, safegaurding our children from many of the myths and misguided ideas about sex.
Also, our schools have been teaching sex education at earlier and earlier grade levels, causing people to point to this as the source for children having sex at younger ages. Is this necessarily true? Maybe schools are only teaching this subject earlier as a reaction to the increasing number of teens having sex. Maybe neither has a significant effect on the other. The causality cannot be proven in either direction.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
11 comments:
I agree and disagree... I agree that teachers should educate students about safe sex, however I feel that the younger the students are the worse it potentially is.
Also, I don't feel that the teachers should have to teach every "sensitive subject" that parents do not want to. I know there are probably parents out there that have issues or feel weird about talking to their kids about sex and everything but for me, as a kid, I'd rather heard this stuff from my parents than my teacher. Also, talking to your kids about these things is a parent's job not a teacher's.
I agree that there is not necessarily a connection between teaching sex education earlier and kids experimenting with sex earlier, there are far more influencial sources that kids are getting the information from ie. movies, magazines, T.V, friends. At least in school for the most part they are receiving acurate, factual information.
I don't disagree that it should be the parents that teach these things. I believe it would be best if they did.
Still, wouldn't it be better for teachers to explain the real side of things before students get an inaccurate image from friends and the media. Some parents might not be teaching their kids about sex soon enough.
I argue that it is better to teach children early than to risk having them recieve false information first.
As you all have stated, the teaching of sex education envokes mixed reaction. As a parent, I have a difficult time giving over that level of control and responsibility to a teacher. Particularly when I do not know their belief system, and level of comfort they have with presenting the material responsibly and in keeping with my own beliefs and values. Equally it is difficult for a teacher to ensure fair representation and respect of the values and morals of all the students and their families when presenting sensitive material without knowing what they may be. As such I think a solution may be to engage parents when teaching this unit. Invite parents to attend the class or hold a parental discussion night prior to the unit being taught which allows parents to express concerns, share ideas and allow them to understand the topics being discussed. This way parents are more prepared and are able to discuss issues with their children at home as well either in collaboration with what is being taught in the classroom or as a starting point for more indepth discussion of a particular topic. I also think being proactive and informing parents may lessen future conflicts for the teacher once the unit has been taught.
Very good ideas, Terri.
I like the idea of being proactive and getting the parents' opinions.
After all, teachers are to act "in loco parentis", so it only follows that we should know what parents expect of us in this situation.
Terri, it was really good to hear the prospective of a parent, not being one myself, you brought up a lot of great points that I never considered, having never been faced with the idea of someone else teaching my children about sex, you have made me see things in a different light.
Hmm, teaching homosexuality in class. I can see that making just a 'few' parents a little more than angry.
Hate to be the person sending that newsletter home.
This past year in UofA I went to a presentation, where a guy talked about homosexuality. After the presentation we went back to our classroom and the prof spoke about how us (as teachers) need to make sure to introduce homosexuality to students because now a days it is an option....
The world today is changing so much that we almost have to teach it don't we?
This is such a touchy subject with parents, teachers, and students. Everyone has their own opinion but who is to say which opinion is right and wrong??
I agree with being open to homosexuality but I think that in tecahing safe sex it doesn't matter homosexual or heterosexual, males should always be wearing condoms and females should be taking the necessary steps to protect themselves.
I agree with Chelsea in that the issue is not with whom one is having sex but rather insuring that students have the right information so that they may make informed and educated decisions when they choose to become sexually active.
Post a Comment