Public schools and sex education

Kristin - posted on 02/17/2011

my son is only 6 months old, so i have lots of time before i have to deal with this but i plan on letting him learn what the school has to offer.
when i was in school, all they did was teach about where sperm comes from and what happens when the sperm meets the egg and named body parts. i don't think that's so bad.
but, when the school starts teaching him this, i will have the talk with him and add what i want him to know.

Michelle - posted on 02/03/2011

I have not had to deal with this yet with my own kids since they are toddlers, but I worked in public schools for 10 years before I had kids. I would find out specifically what program they are using and preview materials. Some school districts use a planned parenthood curriculum. The planned parenthood curriculum for fifth graders used to include extensive pushing of birth control and abortions. It also used to provide lots of info on having pleasurable sex. Anyway you get the idea. They've been caught in more then one school district telling kids how to obtain their services without parental consent so it may have changed since then. Just be aware of the curriculum being used and where it came from. If the school and/ or program isn't open to sharing all their info and materials with you ahead of time be concerned. But otherwise check it all out and see if it's something you would want your daughter to hear. Definitely talk to your daughter about some key things ahead of time (abstinence, birth control, etc) that she may otherwise get a message you don't want her to have. Some schools have a parent night where they go through the class before the kid does. If you're lucky enough to have that, you should participate and they may have tips to help you prepare your daughter too. Good luck.

Tia Melissa - posted on 01/27/2011

I've only faced the issue once and I contacted the school nurse (who was teaching the program), previewed the video and allowed my daughter to participate. Fortunately, we had a nurse who believed that sex education belongs in the home and is the parents job to teach. It was a purely biological discussion on what is happening with your body. Boys & girls separated. They have added "Health" in my daughter's (15yo) spring classes this year and I've prepared her already for the information she will encounter re: abortion, birth control, abstinence, life, etc. It's been a continual discussion in our house as the issues come up. She knows more about the function of her own body from simplified charting than some GYN's I've encountered. She is also a firm advocate for chastity and understands that sex = babies. We have a large-ish family and she is fully cognizant of the fact that babies are hard work. I've told her that she needs to KNOW her facts because she'll encounter all sorts of derision and opposition in Health.

Jessica - posted on 01/23/2011

HELL NO!! Luckily my husband and i send our kids to catholic school..and this was one of the many many reasons we decided to fore-go public school years ago.

I do not believe it is the right of ANYONE other than the parents to teach. or not to teach their children about sex

Nelly - posted on 12/05/2010

Our kids all go to Catholic Schools and abstaining was the major focus of sex ed. We were extremely glad for that

Rhea - posted on 10/31/2010

We didn't have a choice. Schools in NL are different in that they don't ask permission before doing trips, important dicussions, etc. The only thing they ask permission for is catechism (most of the public schools at least here in the south are Catholic by default so the kids get catechism through school unless the parents opt out). Since I don't know what they'll teach, I'm teaching our beliefs about sex at home as well. I don't think it's harmful for kids to get more information, but I do think it's important that they know our standpoint. Ie. yes, there's abortion/birth control/what-have-you, BUT it's not an option for the following reasons...

Priscilla - posted on 10/07/2010

I have 4 girls. I have spoken to them about sex and pregancy since they could understand. They know sex is for a married man and woman only. Yes I let the participate because I have taught them the difference of what is wrong and what is right. They need to learn what is out there so they can defend their faith when confronted with such things.

Cynthia - posted on 09/10/2010

Sounds wonderful, Rebecca! I'm hoping for the same experience. Thanks for sharing!

Rebecca - posted on 09/10/2010

I did...when my daughter was in 5th grade...however we got to see what was being spoken about and if we didn't want her on a certain subject then we could pull her for that area. We were blessed to have a wonderful teacher with the same beliefs as we are and she spoke to us before hand and said she is was not going to go into anything that went against our faith...i thought that was amazing to happen in a public school....check with the school and ask to see the things first