Comments about ‘Murray meeting to discuss plan to change sex education in Utah’

Sounds like a sensible proposal to me!

This is not a sensable proposal. All classes should teach abstence and contraceptive options.

There should be no "sex ed" in schools whatsoever. Our public schools are not the appropriate place for such intimate conversations. Take your kids to visit Planned Parenthood if you'd like, but keep this kind of discussion out of schools.

People argue that sex ed has no place in the schools. When was the last time that person went to one of our local high schools. The pregnancy rate is really high. Some "sex-ed" is needed, even if it is as simple as telling people where to get condoms and birth control.

I agree that sex ed shouldn't have to be taught at school. I believe that it is the parent's/family's responsibity to properly teach their children about such sensitive subjects. However this is NOT happening, and someone has to do it. So as long as parents are not fulfilling their part, its up to the school system to do it. Making it required is a fine line, but if parents are objecting to what is being taught at school, maybe they should step up to the plate and do it themselves.

"We want a choice! We want a choice! We want a choice!"
That's what you all were chanting during the voucher confusion. Well, here you have a reasonable bill that offers reasonable choice to parents. What's wrong? Are you afraid some will make the "wrong" choice?

Students should know about both their is no choice between one or the other. it should be a required class because you need to know about sex education. I doubt that any kid is going to ask their mommy and daddy about sex and am sure that no parent is going to talk to their child about sex. There is nothing bad about sex ed. it just teaches you the risks and what will happen. No teenager is going to go to plan parenthood! If your not going to tell your kids then let the school teach them. Sex is everywhere so I doubt they don't know about it!

The public school system must not give in to political correctness and adopt a sexual education course that promotes immorality. Historically, sexual education was taught in the home in a manner that emphasized chastity, morality, and self-control. If the public schools must take over who parents who have abandoned this responsibility, the schools must teach the same values that made this Country great.

You wonderful parents think you can do such a good job of talking about sex at home, and maybe some of you can. Reality states that most of you have had the opportunity to do so for the last.. forever, and it seems that most parents are so unsure about how to talk about sex themselves (it's sacred not secret) that they lose the ability to communicate.
The schools offer a neutral, educated, balanced arena for teaching these things.
FYI areas where abstinence only is taught have higher teen pregnancy rates.

This issue presents a dilemma. Parents should teach their children about sex at home, but if they don't they're going to learn it somewhere so why not at school? However, if it's taught in school, then parents assume they don't have to teach their children at home because it's being taught at school.

I'd much rather rely on parents to teach their children than have the public schools take over everything so that parents do nothing. I'd like to believe that schools will teach appropriate material, but we all know where it will lead; over time discussions will become more and more explicit and, therefore, inappropriate and the Planned Parenthood types will be indoctrinating everyone's children with whatever they want them to know.

Whatever happens, sex ed should ALWAYS be optional, no matter what.

Wow I can't believe what I am hearing. Now I know most of you will talk to your kids about sex, and that is great. But what about the kids whose parents do not talk to them about sex? It is a shame that we can't talk about more things in sex ed. For all of you nieve parents, come to my school where there are 3 girls right now that are pregnant. It is a shame that it has happened, but the reality is they were not educated enough about sex to understand it.

This would be a great way to do it, parents and students can CHOOSE which class to attend. Classes such as this help parents discuss these issues with their kids. This article here is not about sex ed, it is just about adding another class option.

I believe school principals are free to do this now with parental consent, but they are afraid because of all the flak they might get from over-reacting parents. If not enough students sign up for the new class -- it won't even be taught. You can't beat that for local, parental control.

You have a good point. A lot of parents do not teach their children about sex. The question is this: when is it appropriate for government to intervene to attempt to fulfill a parental responsibility? The answer is rarely, especially through the public school system. If government wants to intervene, then it should do so through the public health department through whatever program it wants to invite parents and their children to outside of school (and with the influence of Planned Parenthood). Don't use the public school system to address such sensitive matters that will be twisted and turned according to the "wisdom" of school teachers and administrators.

You have a good point. A lot of parents do not teach their children about [math]. The question is this: when is it appropriate for government to intervene to attempt to fulfill a parental responsibility? The answer is rarely, especially through the public school system. If government wants to intervene, then it should do so through the public [math] department through whatever program it wants to invite parents and their children to outside of school (and with the influence of Planned [Mathematics]). Don't use the public school system to address such sensitive matters that will be twisted and turned according to the "wisdom" of school teachers and administrators.

What? Sex education in our public schools. I graduated from South High School (remember the one on State Street) in 1964. We had sex education then. It was titled Health 5. Today's teens are way more knoweldgable about sex. I was given good info then and they need good info now. What is the big deal? Schools teach information, homes teach morality. If you don't trust your kids, you are a bad parent.

It is not completely the job of the parent or the job of the school to educate kids about these issues, or any other subject taught in school. All things learned in the classroom should be taken home and discussed with parents. Kids learn things from their peers, TV, home and school. This way, there will be two places for kids to get trustworthy information, meaning the later two. Too often kids are uncomfortable going to their parents about sex. Shouldn't we all feel better that now they at least have somewhere to go? This is simply an option for those who want to take part in this second class. It is not a requirement. However, it is true that places with abstinence-only sex ed have much, much higher pregnancy rates. Is sex really such a big secret around here that we'd rather risk our teenage girls getting pregnant?

interesting comments from both parties. reynolds (sutherland institute) said on the news last night "we are forcing students with adult decisions." not true. the idea behind the sex-ed in schools is being prepared and educated. parents don't like to talk with their kids because they themselves were not taught. the human body is the human body. we can't be afraid to make students aware of the structure and function of those parts. what blows me away is the percentages of std's and pregnancies in utah....being the religious state that we are. naivety goes a long way. take a look around at the dress, THE MUSIC, and the media about the sexual innuendo available to students....especially at school. it is here to stay and only get worse probably. why not prepare your students with a little education. don't be confused....there is no promotion taking place...simply preparing your student for a time they might have to deal with a pressure situation and make a smart choice....better to be prepared and educated than be grandparent or confused parent who's child acquired aids

have sex ed a requried course - then those parents who want a say in their children's sex education will be forced to address the topic at home.

Honestly I just graduated, I took sex ed and it scared me to not have sex, and I'm not saying that every highschooler will be afraid but its important that they know how to be safe if they decide to, becuase whats worse then letting them not have this knowledge but to come one day to tell you that they have an STD or whatever else it may be.
I will be a highschool teacher and I dont want to be losing students to things like this, I want them to fullfill their potential!