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Expand sex education

Well all I can say is, we are becoming a nation who worships sex. Sex has become our god and morality has become the new four letter word. We produce and consume more porn, and I believe we abort more babies then any other country in the world. Now we want to teach our children how to safely have sex, because we live in a world with no consequences. And our excuse “they are going to have sex anyway so lets teach them how to do it safely.” Those who try to teach morality and stand up for what is moral and right are now called racists of all things and we are told we are stopping someone’s human rights. When a country has lost its moral compass it affects all aspects of that countries destiny. It losses its ability to make just laws of any kind. And the down word spiral begins.

I would be very curious if Cynthia has actually read the curriculum. It has a broad range of topics. Although it strongly discusses advantages of abstinence, it also includes a discussion on how to prevent or reduce the risk of pregnancy and STDs (abstinence, contraception/condoms). Don't you think we should be pushing to provide basic information to all kids. It seems to me that we want to send a double message - one message from one group and another message for another. In the 2 track program in North Caroline, the number of parents who opt out completely has increased from 3% when they started the 2 track program to nearly 25%. It is apparent that something doesn't appeal to the parents.

Little or inadequate sex ed leads to problems. Without adequate information, abortion, STD's and other life breaking events are more likely to happen. Just saying no is not enough. Preaching that sex is bad never works, even in religious societies.

I received my sex education at Centerville Jr High. And I knew nothing about sex until I had it. Period. They taught nothing of value. In fact, I will say I was sadly ignorant of so many things. My parents didn't teach me, and neither did the church or schools. They taught me NOT to have it until marriage. Plain and simple. A worthless waste of everyones time.

To John C: Don't make the mistake of equating abstinence with morality and don't make the mistake of confusing marital sex with moral sex; coercion, rape, abuse and exploitation occur within marriage all the time.

Simply telling young people your view of morality is insufficient; they need to be allowed to process the possible courses of action, the possible outcomes and the reasons they might choose to do one thing or another. "Teaching" morality occurs when allow adolescents to confront moral dilemnas and choose for themselves how to act based on their own moral codes. Somewhere between 2/3 to 3/4 of high school students will have sex before they graduate; we don't serve their needs by pretending if we don't talk about it, they won't do it.

There is no single definition of what is moral - let alone what constitutes a moral sexual relationship - so how are we supposed to "stand up for morality" when there's agreement concerning what is moral? A great many moral theologians argue that the real standard should be: Anything is moral that is mutually agreeable and agreeably mutual.

If driver's education was taught how conservatives' and religious fundamentalists' teach sexual education, it'd go something like this: "Here's a car. Never drive it, or you will die!"

Studies have shown that the more religious a person, the higher the incidence of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Red states also have the highest incidence of both.

I suspect that is because religious fundamentalists like to "leave everything in the hands of God", whatever that means, and not educate their children about such obviously "dirty" things. From young ages the children are made to feel ashamed of their "naughty" parts. Natural maturing processes are referred to as "immoral". Comprehensive sexual education is never taught. And parents are so embarrassed to talk about the subject their children are afraid to ask them basic questions, and instead gain their "knowledge" from whatever societal source they encounter.

Those of us who value knowledge and intelligence need to focus on educating our children instead of allowing others to dictate their (lack of) education with mumbo jumbo and scare tactics.

I agree that health education is a basic course that should be taught in schools. The problem is that sex education is not health education, it's reproductive education. Schools can teach about STDs and even STD prevention without going into any details of sex, i.e. how to use a contraceptive.

The main difference between the Hemingway bill and the current law is that teachers would be allowed to "advocate and encourage" the us of contraceptives. There's a big difference between teaching health and teaching kids how to have "safe" sex. The latter does not belong in the public school system.

More parents talk about sex than the public wants to give them credit for. In a leading National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy Survey, 71% of the teens ages 12-19 said they have had a helpful conversation with their parents about sex and avoiding teen pregnancy. Kids who say they can't talk to their parents about sex should ask themselves why? Perhaps some parents don't care and an alternative trusted adult can step in, but most parents are anxious to help if given some encouragement that their voice matters to their kids.

"Well all I can say is, we are becoming a nation who worships sex."

We have always It was merely hidden before but it was still there!

"Sex has become our god and morality has become the new four letter word. We produce and consume more porn,"

Don't knock porn so much. It's the primary resource for sex education in the United States.


"and I believe we abort more babies then any other country in the world."

No, we don't. In fact the abortion rate has been going down since it peaked at about 1.4 million in 1990 (under Reagan). The present rate is about half that. China aborts over 13 million each year.

Jeffrey - I am not sure what studies show a correlation between religiousness and pregnancy rates. But I have seen studies from both liberal and conservative groups that show a direct and powerful correlation between youth who are abstinent and have a high degree of religiousness. I am also curious about your statement that people are taught that the natural maturing process is "immoral". Most parents want their kids to appreciate their maturing bodies by showing respect and restraint until they are ready for a committed marriage relationship. Casual sex is not physically or emotionally healthy for anyone - especially teens.

Why is a normal human function regarded with such fear/animosity/confusion?

Children learn about other parts and functions of their bodies. They should be taught about sex the same way.

Glendenb: If you haven’t a clue what is morel and right, then you are a sad individual with.


And to who ever you are who said “Don't knock porn so much. It's the primary resource for sex education in the United States.” You are even sadder or sick one of the two. My son in-law works with boys who have become addicted to porn. It is as bad as any drug out there. The teenage mind isn’t equipped to deal with those images. It is also very degrading to women has been the cause for problems in marriages. There is nothing good about porn.