Is Sexuality Education Necessary for Elementary pupils?

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   MarlonFuloposted 13 years ago

   there has been increasing debates in our country in line with the department of education's proposed policy on the inclusion of Sex Education in the Basic Education Curriculum. The Catholic church raise eyebrows as the said policy would only disoreint the children's values on spirituality. On the other hand, some education specialists thinks otherwise, insisting that sex education is proper and timely, in response to the growing population explosion and the scarcity of local resources. Given this, are you pro or anti sex educaation?

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      manlypoetrymanposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      To answer the very first question...that began this thread. H_ll to the No. When do we have time to be innocent...we have our whole life to be boring adults. We should protect our innocent ones as long as possible...say at least until...Junior High! Then I would say H_ll yes...they need a good foundation in sex education to help give them proper info and help to safeguard their future. Because from that point on they will have working knowledge...and can make some proper decisions based on that information. And hopefully, the parents will have aided in their own strong beliefs and backings for their family to the child.

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      psycheskinnerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I see no reason for children to remain ignorant of anatomy, physiology, menstruation or human reproduction.

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      cosetteposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      
      
      i think when children reach an age where their bodies begin to change, around 11, 12, and 13, they should offer sex education in the schools, with parental permission. i don't think they should show them people having sex, but they should explain what sex is and that it is a pleasurable thing that makes babies. they should teach them about the human body, physical and phsyiological changes, and being responsible, as well as conducting yourself as a proper young lady or young gentleman should. and don't give them free condoms. kids can't drink, drive or obtain a firearm, so why should they get condoms?
      
      too many parents slack off and rely on the schools to parent their children, which is scandalous.

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      emievilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I saw a blog post discussing the very same thing and my answer is the same - I'm 100% for sex education. The age - I'm leaving this to our experts to decide on.
      
      But I would just like to point out that I went to an all - girls Catholic school in my last two years in high school (I was 15 at that time and that was the early '90s) and we had sex education then (under the subject of "Health"). We were thought human reproduction, contraceptives, menstrual cycles and stuff. We were even shown a film about abortion. That subject taught us a lot and I would like to see that subject echoed in other schools as well.
      
      As for our Catholic Church, they can and they always will be against 'sex' education. But they are not responsible for our youth, the parents are and, indirectly, so is our educational system. And those responsible should be the ones who will decide how they will equip their children with working knowledge that they can use when they are already out on their own.

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   Rafiniposted 13 years ago

   In my area sex education begins in 4th grade.  Early discussions are centered around sexual organs, how they work and why a girl menstruates.  Later discussions detail pregnancy, childbirth and contraception.  I think educating kids about these things at a young age is important in order to lower teenage pregnancy risk.  I went to a big high school (about 2500 students) and only remember 1 girl being pregnant during my four years there.  I can only assume early and continued sex education was the reason more girls weren't pregnant.

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   prettydarkhorseposted 13 years ago

   it depends on the topic of sexuality education, purely anatomy discussion is futile, bargaining is important, when to say No, for example to predators would be included,
   
   menstrual cycle is very important, assertion of oneself and valuing thyself, responsibility should be a topic as well, sexual responsibility and various options (contraception) should be part of it
   
   the age well this is a gray area, parents and teachers in every district should talk about it, plus youth sector, educators and psychologists should be involved in the creation of topic to be discussed

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   Greek Oneposted 13 years ago

   it is important for the young to study sexual issues..
   
   in fact, I got my Masters in Bation by age 10

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   kmackey32posted 13 years ago

   Most definitly!!!!!!

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      Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      you saw the tapes I made??
      
      I though my mom threw those out!??!

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   Polly Cposted 13 years ago

   I'm not sure what age children you are talking about here..my son has been doing sex education recently, in a class of 9/10 year olds. I think he did it last year as well, but it was extremely basic.
   
   You can opt out of it, but no one has. The children just think it's funny...last week they learned about erections, etc, which I'm sure I did not know about at age 9.  However, children these days are not the same as 30 years ago - my son has 'learned' an awful lot of stuff in the school playground, most of which is inaccurate to put it mildly. They might as well have the truth.

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      Rafiniposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      that's the entire point of sex education - to reduce mis-education among our youth regarding sex.

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   kaltopsydposted 13 years ago

   Kids are willingly having sex younger and younger. A few years ago there was a news report on 4th graders having sex under the stairwell. To me, that was just crazy! So, sex ed definitely should be taught in elementary school.

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      Polly Cposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      What age is 4th grade?

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         Rafiniposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         anywhere between 8-11, depending on where you live.

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   DzyMsLizzyposted 13 years ago

   There are so many sides to this question.  In general, the first responsibility for education of sexualtiy and anatomy begins in the home.  It is first and foremost a parental responsibility.
   
   That said, the reason it is taught in school is because many parents have abdicated said responsibility, and for whatever reason, (unwillingness, embarrassment, lack of knowledge themselves), do not address the matter at home.
   
   Next, there is the matter of all the hormones being added (fed)  to food (read, 'meat animals') these days, which do not break down, and are ingested by those who then eat the meat.  This is causing much earlier physical maturation than occurred in the past, so yes, children need to be aware much younger.
   
   Education and knowledge are power and confidence.  These are not the things that rob innocence.  Innocence is lost by being taught to be overly fearful and living life as a victim. Innocence is lost when "something bad" happens.  "Something bad" seems to be a universal euphemism for avoidance of calling things what they are:  abuse, rape, beatings, bullying, and so forth.
   
   Arm the kids with the knowledge of 'how things work,' and teach them self-defense (karate, ju-jitsu, kenpo, etc., for example) as well.  Then, they can keep their innocence by being secure knowing they have the power to protect themselves.  (And yes, young children can protect themselves..many self-defense techniques do not require great muscular strength.)
   
   It is not a matter of morality or religion--it is a matter of life skills and common sense...all to UNcommon these days.

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      psycheskinnerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Earlier physical maturation has more to do with good nutrition than anything else.  But I am not sure what self defense has to do with telling kids how babies are made.

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   MarlonFuloposted 13 years ago

   Hi guys, thanks for your insight. As I was following the thread, there are common factors emerging; first, the definition of agemis of primordial concern. Certainly, we could not, and we should not teach sex education to 3-6 yrs old youngsters. Second, anatomy and physiology should be the foundation of Sex education. Corrupting the minds of the children on sexuality is a nono. Third, sex education depends on the cultural orientation of a particular learning environment. We could not, for any reason, insist on having sex education on countries or communities that culturally inhibits matters on sex and sexuality unless the State enforce it otherwise.

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    Jeff Berndtposted 13 years ago

    Well, there's a difference between learning how mammals reproduce (which any farm kid knows by age 5) and teaching about "sexuality."
    
    Learning about sexual (and asexual) reproduction is mere biology, and there should be no worries about teaching that in a life sciences class.
    
    Learning about human reproduction, the risk of STDs, and how contraception works is useful, practical information. I can understand why some folks would want to "shield" their children from this kind of information, but I think they're doing their kids a disservice.
    
    Teaching about sexuality, on the other hand, is not biology. It's barely social studies. Save that for college, or for online chatrooms. Even if the hypothetical class were taught something like an Art Appreciation class, in the end, everyone would pretty much agree with the old agade, "I may not know much about art(sex), but I know what I like."

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       MarlonFuloposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Hello Jeff, thanks for the post. your right, sex and sexuality are two different things, especially in the pedagogy of children. As I have said, while there is  growing consensus on the need for basic sex or sexuality eduction for both children and adults, certain things have to be considered. The thing is, we owe our children and students information that has to be conveyed to them, in an artistic, well-thought of, and scientific manner.

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