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What did you learn about sex education at school? Sado-masochism? Oral Sex? Do 13-year-olds need to know about these things?A school textbook has some Mexican residents in an uproar. Education officials say it's intended to teach kids the facts of life. But some parents say it's teaching them more than they need to know and they're firing back.
What is sado-masochism? How is oral sex safely practiced? Where can I get a morning after pill, or get treatment for an S.T.D.? Questions answered in the latest official sex education textbook for 13-18 year olds in the Mexico City school system. Questions government officials say students need answered, and that the National Union of Parents says are, well, an abomination.
"This book promotes death," said the leader of the parent's organization. The union countered the official textbook with its own pamphlet aimed at students, which states homosexuality is not natural and can be cured with proper psychiatric help. So what do the students say? "We need to know more about our bodies and sex. So many taboos here have not allowed us to access information. I think it's a smart thing to do," said one student.
"It is our responsibility to give them truthful information that is not based on religious beliefs. These kids know sexuality is a part of the human condition and we have to answer their questions in a responsible and truthful fashion," said an administrators. Sociologists agree, saying the information in the text is of use not only to teenagers. It's the facts of life and this book could be beneficial to adults as well. there are many adults in Mexico who don't know much and have an unhealthy sex life out of ignorance.
The problem is that some parents and church groups have a different view of where the truth lies when it comes to young people and their sex lives.
How much will you tell your kids about sex? Just the basics or the kinky things some people do? Yikes! I will probably stick with the basics.
-NewsAnchorMom Jen
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6 comments:
I plan to talk openly with my son about sex and answer his questions as honestly as I can. I plan to initiate talks about "the basics" but what I consider "basic" probably is not the same as the next person. Each and every talk will include discussions on safety. IMO, it is the same as teaching him to wear a bike helmet or to drive safely.
What do you want them to be blind and dumm. Would you what them to learn it from a person that does not have your childs care in mind. look at it this way. If you don't teach them or a teacher don't tell them then they are going to find some one who would teach them.
I homeschool for this very reason (among many others) It should be up the parent what their child learns about sex, not the schools or other kids. It is the parent's responsibility to make educated decisions according to their childs maturity level too. My son is in no way mature enough (has ASD) to read a book like this and it shouldn't be readily available either. Parents need to stop bitching about what others are going to teach their children if they are not going to take a pro active approach to their education.
I'm with Maria.
And for anyone who is interested, this month's API of Peoria meeting is on sexuality. Kevin McClure from Chapin, Russell, and Associates will present information about how to discuss sexuality with our children at all ages. (click for more info) The meeting is this Saturday (9/13) at 9:30 at the Universalist Unitarian Church in Peoria.
We started sex education early in our home by using the correct names for body parts and bodily functions and always answered questions about sex with age appropriate information. Kids are curious about sex at a pretty young age and are actually more likely (IMHO) to ask questions when they are younger.
Now that my kids are teens and we've covered the biology related aspects, it seems like we mainly deal with the social/peer pressure aspects of sex.
Sounds like a good follow up to me. Thanks for the info Sally!
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