shocked parents still think like this

[maypole1]

Just reading the mums net sex education survey, and 3 people think sex should not be taught in schools at all

Who are these people and all though the number is small I still cant believe people still think like this.

I am happy for the biological stuff to be taught. I don't want my children to be taught that certain lifestyles are 'okay'.

Let's face it, they're going to be giving it a go whatever we tell them. Unless teenagers have changed dramatically, in their basic biology, since the long-ago days when I was one...

theincredible- at what age did you tell your ds - my ds is 5 and already knows about women having periods and that ladies boobs produce milk etc. I've already told him that women can marry women and men can marry men etc. am I on the right track age wise?

I beg to differ on that one, MI. Maybe your children, not mine.

What sort of lifestyles amerrytscot?

I'll leave that up to your imagination

Yes, what sort of lifestyles? My sister's? My best friend's? My own?

Agree with MI but I think sex ed should be taught by a flying squad of qualified yet unshockable and outrageously frank transsexuals. Pay them a fortune and let the poor biology teacher off the hook.

Ooh, yes, I have at least one friend (started life as a gay man, is now a lesbian) who would be fab at the job.

One could learn a lot from her breadth/depth of experience MI

I rather think many people have, Prunissima. Quite a hands-on approach, too.

(Although I actually got to know her because she wrote a book about Buffy the Vampire Slayer.)

I was happy for my children to participate in sex education teaching. There was an information evening first for the parents. The school (cofe) initially was not going to mention marriage. The parents requested that the sex education lessons should share the message that sex should take place in stable caring relationships and marriage. The school had not wanted to mention marriage because it might undermine the feelings of parents who were not married. When it was pointed out that in the Y5 class, there were only two single parents and the one who was present supported the reference to marriage the school changed its mind.

It was quite heartening because at the time dd's brother was 13 and he told her very sternly not to make herself look stupid by asking questions; if there was anything she wanted to know as a result to come home and ask him or mum and dad .

(Although I actually got to know her because she wrote a book about Buffy the Vampire Slayer.)

Sounds disappointing, given the alternative

I am personally for sex education in schools . I think though that it should be progressive, in that it starts early at a simple level and incorporates the emotional side of sexual relationships . I also think that parents should be given a timetable with the sessions and the topics of the sessions , so that those who feel able can then continue the discussion at home .

My son is 8, must've been about six when I told him. It was when our cat got pregnant so was a good time to bring it up.

He was also given a 'How Bodies Work' book around the same time.

Not told him about periods yet though, not entirely sure what to say!

He asked about sex changes in Wilkinsons the other day. Blimey, I got some dissaproving looks when I was explaining it! I had two transgender friends so was well aware of all of the facts!

Lol

Dd (secondary school age) was telling everyone about a sign outside the hairdresser for a Brazilian blow dry and by mistake told the whole family gathered that the local hairdresser was offering Brazilian blow jobs (argh!).

Whatever you don't tell them they are going to pick up in the playground anyway believe me!

PMLS, Foxy.

Or even PMSL

Pmsl sounds great. She's getting that too now fgs!

I meant lol at you earlier too lolol.

The thing is the nuts and bolts bit of sex ed should take about 10 minutes tops for all persuasions , its not rocket science to point out which bits go in which hole is it . Sex education should be far more . I appreciate that some people believe that sex should only take place within marriage and thats absolutely fine . But say you are christian , and your child is and your child meets someone who is born again , well that person comes with a sexual history and now believes that they should wait until they marry until they have sex with your child ( obviousley now an adult) . Your child needs to be aware of the possible risks of entering into a sexual relationship with that person ,surely?
Also what happens if your child is gay ? if you are totally against gay relationships where will your child be able to get support ? Not saying anyone on this thread is against homosexual relationships ,but you get the idea.

What I don't understand is when sex education in schools is being taught to progressively younger and younger children...why is the number of teenagers having children/contracting STI's increasing??

I'm sure there has been some form of sex ed in schools for a number of years now, so I don't understand how the rate of teenagers becoming parents/contracting STI's has risen.

Can anyone explain?

FoxieSocks

Yes, you are quite right. Those were the days when my schoolfriends (girls' school) and I were sitting in the school field discussing 'these things'. We certainly learned from one another!

An excellent point frumpet