What Topics Should Sex Ed Cover? (contraceptives, homosexuality, choices, choice)

[Sunstone]

What topics should be covered in sex ed courses for state funded schools besides the basics of reproduction?

Should they teach about sexually transmitted diseases?

Should they teach the use of contraceptives?

Should they teach about the differences between healthy and abusive relationships?

Should they teach the only right thing to do is to abstain from sex until marriage?

Should they teach something else besides?

[sahra-t]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

What topics should be covered in sex ed courses for state funded schools besides the basics of reproduction?

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Should they teach about sexually transmitted diseases?

Yes, definitely, that's an important one if we're going to go any of the way of eradicating them.

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Should they teach the use of contraceptives?

Yes, regardless of the religious associations of the school. I think they have an obligation to make sure their students are fully informed even if they don't agree with the practice of using them. I went to a Catholic school and so they really glossed over it, I don't think that was wise.

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Should they teach about the differences between healthy and abusive relationships?

I wonder how one might teach this. Obviously there is an important distinction but often experience teaches more than you could ever learn in a lesson. What perhaps is important is the route one should take upon realising they are in the latter.

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Should they teach the only right thing to do is to abstain from sex until marriage?

No. A religious school with this perspective can give reasons why it may be wise to do this, if they believe it is. But no one can say that it is "right", at the end of the day.

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Should they teach something else besides?

The burden of a child, what to do if you become pregnant, the ethics of abortion. I think if a lot of teenagers had really been engaged in these topics there would be fewer teen pregnancies.

[jamaesi]

Should they teach something else besides?

Homosexual safe sex. A lot of gay kids are growing up not thinking they don't need protection (because of the no pregnancy risk in gay sex thing) or what protection they could use.

[angellous_evangellous]

What topics should be covered in sex ed courses for state funded schools besides the basics of reproduction?

All of it.

Should they teach about sexually transmitted diseases?

Yes.

Should they teach the use of contraceptives?

They should teach about the use of contraceptives giving the students choices rather than instructions.

Should they teach about the differences between healthy and abusive relationships?

Yes.

Should they teach the only right thing to do is to abstain from sex until marriage?

No.

Should they teach something else besides?

You left out so much it's hard to know where to begin. No mention of homosexuality, bisexuality, trans-sexuality, and sexual positions.

[Revasser]

Originally Posted by jamaesi

Homosexual safe sex. A lot of gay kids are growing up not thinking they don't need protection (because of the no pregnancy risk in gay sex thing) or what protection they could use.

I think that's pretty important.

I know it's something that I'm glad I was taught in Health Ed. class at high school, because while I wasn't under the impression that it was "risk free", I wasn't aware of just all the nasties that are out there and some of the techniques used to prevent contracting them.

The sex ed. at my school was pretty comprehensive and candid and though it was a bit embarassing for everyone at the time, I'm glad for it now.

[almifkhar]

there should be no such class. as a parent, i feel that is my obligation

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by almifkhar

there should be no such class. as a parent, i feel that is my obligation

But many parents wouldn't cover all the bases. Because of teen pregnancies, rape (even within the family!), and disease, sex education is a social concern.

As a society, we have to make sure that young men and women know about proper sexual relationships (eg, that proper sex requires consent, condoms prevent disease, and scientific truths about pregnancy).

You're right - as a parent, it is your obligation to teach your kids about sex. Do it.

However, if your child is a part of society, it's our responsibility to teach them too.

[MaddLlama]

Should they teach about sexually transmitted diseases?

Yes, definately. It's a great risk today for anyone who is sexually active, and kids need to know how to protect themselves, how to spot the symptoms, and where to go for help.

Should they teach the use of contraceptives?

Absolutely. Teaching about all of the different forms of contraception from condoms to surgery would help kids understand not only the risks, but how to avoid it.

Should they teach about the differences between healthy and abusive relationships?

Yes yes yes.

Should they teach the only right thing to do is to abstain from sex until marriage?

As the only method of contraception? Absolutely not. As one in a sea of many ways to prevent pregnancy and STD's, yes.

Should they teach something else besides?

I agree with others that homosexual relationships should also be covered, as well as resources - who and where to go to for help for a variety of topics/issues covered (if you get pregnant, if you think you have an STD and where to get tested as well as the importance of being tested, etc). Also I think that they should be teaching kids to have "smart sex" - knowing when and how to say no if someone is pressuring you into it, how to prevent date-rape and where to go for help, and also they should be encouraging kids to think about why they want to have sex. That will help them make smart choices.

[MaddLlama]

Originally Posted by almifkhar

there should be