So one of my circle of friends is well connected within this town. And being a small town, it's who you know. She's a liberal as well, although I cloak better than she does. ;)
So awhile back, we were talking about the clinic and how I'm delivering these 13 and 14 year olds. Because of the overwhelming conservatism in this area, sex ed here is abstinence only and starts in the HIGH SCHOOL. I pointed out that I'm delivering 6th and 7th graders, maybe something needs to change.
So my friend hooked me up with the curriculum coordinators from the various school systems around here. I was pleasantly surprised that they were at least willing to listen to me and my suggestions. They want data on why abstinence only should be stopped. But it's a start. They also were surprised to hear that basic sex ed should be in elementary school...
My daughter is in 4th grade right now. I look at her and her classmates and know that I'll be seeing some of them within a few years. So, yeah, I'm a bit passionate about this.
And, yes, I practice what I preach and my children are aware of the basics. Correct names are used for anatomy.
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10 comments:
Good job!
I'm just getting tired of perpetuating the cycle.
I'm tired of watching the short-term pleasures of sex kill futures of girls and their babies.
I'm tired of heads being in the sand. I'm tired of denial.
Hell, I don't care to stop teen sex (HA!), I just want to slow down the consequences of it.
I'm a realist.
Oh heck, wait till you get to hear about in-class discussions and these kids tell you their "versions" of sex-ed...these young kids are switched on today I tell ya; Did you know you can't get pregnant if you're a virgin? Uh-huh. Nor can you get pregnant if you (the female) doesn't orgasm? Thats a keeper. But if you do slip up(?) on the orgasm front - just shake a can of coke, open it and douche yourself with the fizz - those bubbles kill that man-juice.
Go Elementary School Sex-Education!! (and some basic biology too!)
Awesome work - love your blog.
Add to what KiwiMom says - There were those kids in Florida who thought that drinking bleach was a contraceptive... Well, it'd kill something.
Keep pushing! When my daughter was in kindergarten, 2 carpool boys were laughing about a Barbie's "boobies". My d said, "Those aren't boobies, they're BREASTS!"
i liked this story :) I work with a woman whose 7 year old daughter is in sex ed in school. she was telling us today that she's told her about menstruation, but not about reproduction, and has been trying to keep the lines of communication open (this is very progressive for the religious group they belong to).
she said her daughter came home yesterday and said "Mom! Did you know there are eggs in my body!? Gross!"
Great work, I'm all for education, so very important. Knowledge is power. We strive to maintain proper anatomic names for body parts in our family, as well, much to the chagrin of some of Bean's day care teachers, who relayed the story of Bean singing "penis, penis, penis" at the top of his lungs whilst attempting to use the potty. Ah, well. :)
I am 24 and live in a very conservative area as well. We never received any sex education in school. Although in high school, we had the GPA (Governor's Program for Abstinence) club.
*sigh* it's way past time for change
My kids had sex ed in 4th grade. I did not really approve of the idea but I signed the slip due to "peer pressure." I felt it was best taught at home. Yes, I understand it isn't being taught at home. It wasn't to me. But I did for my sisters.
I was a straight A, college prep student who had sat through FIVE classes on birth control. I fell into a socio-economic group considered at risk. Didn't help a bit. I didn't plan to have sex and had been told on more than one occasion by drs I would have difficulty conceiving if I did.
Fortunately, I did have sex and I did conceive the very first time at 18. The classes were no help but if they make you all feel like you are doing something, give it a try.
I'm amazed you can live in such a conservative area and maintain some semblance of sanity. You must have the patience of a saint! I cannot even begin to tell you how much relief I feel knowing that people like you are out there teaching children and teens what they desperately need to know. Thank you! :-)
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