The National Institutes of Health reported earlier this week on a survey conducted in Minnesota that asked over 1,600 parents of school-age children who should be responsible for teaching sex education to their children. Results of that survey revealed 98 percent of the parents said they should be the ones to teach their children about sex, although only 24 percent of parents believed they were the main source of that knowledge. Many of the parents believed their children obtain sex information from their friends or from the media. The study appears online in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
A previous study conducted with children showed they preferred learning about sex from their parents. They indicated their parents were their primary source of sex information and that parents most influence their decisions about sex.
Michigan Public Schools are not required to teach sex education, however, school districts that choose to teach sex education are required to comply with Michigan laws related to sex education and reproductive health.
School districts within the State are required to teach about communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, and instructions in communicable diseases must be offered at least once a year at the elementary, middle/junior, and senior high level.
Sex education materials must be age-appropriate and must include:
- Benefits of abstinence from sex until marriage
- Discussion of possible emotional, economic, and legal consequences of sex
- Sexual intercourse may result in unplanned pregnancies and sexual transmitted infections
- Teach pupils to say “no” to sexual advances
- Information on healthy dating practices
- Legal ramifications of sex with an underage person
In Michigan, parents must be given advance notification of their child's participation in a sex education program, and they may request to have their child excluded from sex education classes.
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Comments
Very interesting. Since my daughte is 9 and in 4th grade, we've started having some of these discussions. It is interesting!
Heidi Cox, DC Women's Health Examiner
Well, I will tell you, my son, was signed up for sex ed, but when I saw what they were actually teaching in the class room I was appalled. Most of the material I think is too provocative and arousing to be taught by the teacher. My son came home talking about oral sex and how it is performed and I am sorry but I just don't think these kids need to learn who to be great lovers at that young of an age. I thought the course would focus on safe sex, education on pregnancy etc. Not tips on sexual positions and how to give oral sex..it was shocking!!
This was a great read by the way and thank you for bringing up a topic I haven't seen yet on Examiner.
Dawn, we had the opposite reaction when I signed the permission slip - the agenda for the class was a waste of time - nothing of any value was being taught - it was basically a do nothing class and that was upsetting. But if I saw what you did - I would have been at the school in an instant - that is not what should be taught in this class.
Nancy, this was great - these are topics that need to be discussed when a sex ed class is being taught to students. Thanks!
Thanks so much Dawn and Beverly for your comments. It is surprising the road each school and board of education takes in providing worthwhile information to our children. With all of the teen pregnancies and STDs occurring, some basic information is what is needed.
Nancy Z-Grand Rapids Public Health Examiner and Sexual Health Examiner
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