Dear Diary, this is about education

[kumorisubeta]

In Adolescent Psychology we've finally gotten to the Sexuality section. My teacher is a young female, so while I had hopes that maybe sex would finally be talked about bluntly, I highly doubted it. So I had resigned myself to another danced around lecture, with lots of euphemisms, blushing, and nervous laughter from the crowd

Comments

[lexusrose]

I have always tried to be open with my sister about sex. She hasn't wanted to hear about it until recently - she entered high school. A few weeks ago, she asked me what a hand job is. She's almost 16 years old. Granted, she's been sheltered, but wow.

I'm not planning on telling her about my sexual experiences, but she knows she can come to me with questions and not face embarrassment.

[kumorisubeta]

That's what they need, someone they know they can come to with questions that will be answered honestly and with as little embarrassment as possible. And I think it's a good idea not to tell her about your experience. Advice, not stories, ya know? Unless she wants to know and you're comfortable. (Everyone has different relationships, so it's all about comfort level)

And 16 and she didn't know a hand job? It's called the internet, damnit! This is what I'm talking about. And the abstinence only crap? So doesn't work. It just leads to people like my roommate's friend, who had sex, never knew what a condom was, and ended up pregnant. GOOD JOB, REPRESIVE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND CULTURE!

Granted, having a sex ed program taught by a sweaty, really uncomfortable gym teacher who is going to mumble some words at you and then chuck condoms in the crowd isn't very effective either.

[lexusrose]

There truly has to be a 'culture change' to to speak, involving this as well as many other subjects. It is nothing unnatural (even fetishes) and one spends much more of their lifetime being sexually active than not. However, the idea of parents educating their children is not so desirable either, if only because it is so unheard of and almost deemed as social unacceptable by our society. The parent's knowledge also comes into question. As you said, the internet is a valuable resource

[kumorisubeta]

I think the culture change is almost a problem of itself. Yes, we are much more open about certain things, but at the same time, that's leading to swing to be even more closed about sex. Sure, we'll talk in whispers and have sly scenes on tv dedicated to fetishes, but abstinence only programs are on the rise. Growing up in such a free, yet restricted society can make a confusing subject even worse. I know it will get better, but it's frustrating to wait for. And yes... parents frequently know very little about this subject. Which is why I would love to have education programs for parents as well

[casamafrazz]

From living in France for this time, everyone is extremely educated about sex. Most girls are on the pill at 14 and there are condom machines everywhere. Again, it's cultural.

But interesting timing...CNN just posted this article..

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/10/23/high.school.hiv.ap/index.html

Horrrrrrible.

[kumorisubeta]

We just talked about how similar countries to the United States have a much lower rate of teen pregnancy and STDs (50% of new cases are reported by teenagers according to the CDC) due to their attitudes about sex and higher level of education and health care.

And that article is so sad! I hate how if you mention HIV everyone FREAKS. Jesus. With proper care, it doesn't have to spread like a fire. Yet, everyone seems to think if you breath the same air, you'll be infected. Yet another reason people need to be better educated.

[ladyfeithline]

AMEN SISTER!!!

I have to agree it is frightening how little adults talk or know about sex. Stupid puritanical views of sex being evil and bad need to die a quick death. I always loved the idea adults had that only 'those bad kids' had sex as teeenagers. Lordy if my parents knew what I did.....
I have been talking to a counsilor and the issue of sex comes up and she blushes. ::sigh:: she is a professional and lots of people have sexual issues and she blushes.
::hand the world a clue:: get over it people it is just sex we all do it

[kumorisubeta]

It's frightening that a professional would blush about that. However, that's why we have specific professionals for sexual reasons.