Comments about ‘Sex education, math under scrutiny: Lawmakers to discuss controversial issue’

I think an important part of sex education, is what we saw in our health classes in high school, abortion films of actual abortions and their results. It wasn't preaching anything, it was showing us reality and I think all high school students that are exposed to so much in the media and world sexually, should be fully aware of the entire story. I would encourage all young people to look up films on abortions on the internet and watch them, it will help you take all of your decisions seriously.

Sex, evolution and global warming don't actually exist because our Republican leadership have said they don't.

Schools should offer two courses: SexEd-A, and SexEd-B. The A class will teach the current abstinence only material, and the B class will teach everything in A plus contraception. Require the parents permission to attend the B class. The parents are then giving their permission for the comprehensive sex ed material.

It would be the same number of students and the same teachers, just some would choose SexEd-B, and the rest would get the standard SexEd-A. This is a simple and effective way to settle this "debate". Lets do this and stop wringing our hands about it.

Once again many people are okay with parents abdicating their responsibilities of providing sex education to their own children. Abstinence vs 'safe sex'; giving birth vs abortion; just say no vs just go for it.

Teach your own children and you will never have to worry about what is being taught in school.

Does it make them so if Anonymous or the Democratic Leader say says so?

NO.

Are we to accept nonsense and foolishness and bad science just because Anonymous or the Democratic Leadership says we have to?

perfect example of why public education is such a failure. Schools need to focus on education that is beyond the responsibilities of parents.

Keeping sex education from students is a violation of their basic rights, said Leeann Webster.

I agree. What students dont know could kill them.

I like Mark Lane's suggestion, but I think the default class should be the comprehensive sex ed class (promoting abstinence but also teaching about other ways to prevent pregnancy and STDs). If parents are uncomfortable with having their children attend that class, they can have their kids attend an "abstinence only" class. That way, the less disciplined kids who wouldn't bother getting a parent's signature (and who are also more likely to engage in sex) would get the more comprehensive education.
I also think every student should be required to take a parenting class, to show them how difficult it is to be a teenage parent, and schools should ask for help from teenage mothers and pregnant students, to bring the importance of abstinence and/or protection home to the other students.

Mark Lane's comment about Sex ed A and Sex ed B are the most logical proposal I have heard on the debate.

Excellent idea and one we could all live with.

I used to teach health and grew very tired of the kids asking questions that I would then have to reply, "that is a great question to ask one of your parents. If they don't want to answer but would like me to, then have them call me or write a note...."

I'm not sure how good Utah education is for global warming, and it's certainly deficient for sex education, at least in Provo.
But the core curriculum for evolution in Utah is actually pretty decent. The only question is how well it is actually taught by teachers in the classroom. Personally, most of my high school biology teachers tended to save that section for last (and somehow they always ran out of time, and never quite got to it...) I didn't get a decent education in evolution until I attended BYU.

The truth will always set you free and ignorance is never bliss.

Why would anyone ever withhold the truth from a child?

In my book, denying children the truth is just as bad as telling them a lie!

"The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help me God!"

So you folks down in Utah County - how's that "abstinence only" sex-ed working out for you?

The problem with public schools is the public. Yes, it is the responsibility of the parents to teach sex ed, but unfortunately many parents are taking that responsibility seriously. These parents who are not doing their jobs as parents are affecting the whole of society and when that happens, the government (unfortunately) steps in. I know too many of the these parents who let their children get sexually energized by watching MTV and other sexually provocative programming, but then won't discuss sexual issues with their children other than "don't do it."

Sorry for the typo in my previous post. It should read:

. . . unfortunately many parents "are not" taking that responsibility seriously.

Leslie Castle speaks ONLY for herself and not the majority. Sex education or even the lack thereof is the sole responsibility of parents. Mark had a good idea that empowers parents. Democrats want to impose their idea of right and wrong on everyone else speaking from what they think is a perspective of moral superiority while denigrating anyone with a different perspective. And, they want to do it in a confrontative way. We know where confrontation and "in your face" argumentation has it's roots....

Why do parent's think they are the only ones who can teach sex ed? Just because they do IT, doesn't make them experts on the subject. Also, when people cry that sex should only be taught in the home, why aren't they teaching it in the home?
Too many teens are getting pregnant and STD's these days. Just look around and you'll see lots of "Good Mormon Kids" who have a baby on the way. What were the parents teaching those kids about sex? - multipy and replenish the earth?
So how do we make sure every child understands the issues involved with sex if we trust parents to do it- when we all know most of them won't?
'It takes a village to raise a child' is the only way to make sure kids get a real sex education.

Responsibilities of the parents? Oh pleas, how can they teach their kids such things when they're trying their hardest to find jobs and work paying off the great debt set upon us by 8 years of Republican Leadership?

1+1=3. What's more to tell? Parents - take control. Take the education out of the headlines: Jaime-Lynn Spears, Bristol Pallin, .... You have the examples. What more do you need? One time is all that is needed to make a third party.

To put one's head in the sand is ignoring the fact that you have kids who are being subjected to intense media blitzing of sexual innuendos through film, music, and peers. Tell it straight and early on - as soon as they walk and talk, and don't sweat it. Keep the language in real terms - using correct anatomical parts, and remind them of the proper place and time.

Kids appreciate realism and talking straight. Not phony overtures. The teachers can teach the real curriculum that they are supposed to.

RE: Anonymous | 10:44 p.m. June 5, 2009

"Are we to accept nonsense and foolishness and bad science just because Anonymous or the Democratic Leadership says we have to?"

You missed the whole point. Global warming and evolution have more than substantial evidence providing validity to each. Sex education also has scientific basis for curbing stds and other consequences.

There are people and educators who readily dismiss such things because they don't 'believe' in them either out of principle or religious beliefs. The result is BAD SCIENCE. Global Warming does exist. Sure many trends of cooling and warming exist, but man's effect is exasperating the problem with all our pollutants. Evolution does exist. Man evolved just like all life, and the Earth is 4.5 Billion years old not roughly 10,000 years that religionists would have their blind followers believe. Those are scientific facts.

I find it funny you bash on the Democrats. They aren't the ones spreading falsehoods hoping people will blindly follow. Abstinence should be taught in conjunction with comprehensive Sex-ed, not in lieu of it.