The latest uproar over who is and isn't having safe sex, who is and isn't promoting safe sex, and the over abundance of sexist comments and gender role confusion (who is supposed to watch the kids?) leads me to tell what goes on in some schools regarding sex education.
For update check out Sex Ed Redux
http://www.dailykos.com/...
First a caveat. I think we miss the point when we "teach" sex ed. What we should be covering is Human Sexuality. I've had a great deal of success with this curriculum focusing on Circles of Sexuality as well as other information available on the site. Plus, I am a Health Educator and I believe that requires a comprehensive health curriculum not the bare bones relic that is available in many of our school today.
To give an example of the power of this approach, I usually begin by having the word SEXUALITY written on the board when students enter the room(9th graders). I ask them what they see. The overwhelming response is "SEX!" After exploring the "circles", I end by asking them what they see when they see the word "SEXUALITY" now. A rather intuitive fellow said "U" (you). I find that when they are not defined by a "sex act", but are more complicated sexual creatures, they respond accordingly, are better prepared to face the world and pressure, and see themselves as whole. I also begin this curriculum toward the end of the semester to build a relationship with students that allows for a culture of trust, respect, and freedom to question and explore. So, what happens in the other classes?
A couple of things come to mind. First the lack of evidence that abstinence only sex education is effective. The preponderance of outside organizations offering a "curriculum" of sex education to schools. And all this education is abstinence only to take advantage of the money thrown their way to teach that way. I won't even call it teaching. With teaching your goal is to change behavior. With these programs there is no such goal, only a transfer of information. None of which students remember after the time spent with these "educators".
While working at a middle school I, as an experienced and professional Health Educator, was not deemed worthy of teaching this class. The other health teacher had always used an outside curriculum to teach this subject. It included a pre-test. I asked the person administering this test what they did with the data. Was it used to compare outcomes when a exit test was taken? Why, no. They didn't do anything with the data. I looked at some of the questions which even stumped some of these 7th and 8th graders. They were of the "when did you stop beating your wife" caliber. It seemed to try and gather info about attitudes (is it okay to have sex outside of marriage?). However, this information is not shared with facilitator (to help with what should be covered, each class/students skill set to begin with, etc). There was no exit test because they don't care if the kids retain anything or change behavior. It is about shoving the ideology down their throats.
Plus, imagine my surprise when questions came up CONSTANTLY in my classes about anatomy. When questioned, the students said their "sex ed" did not cover anatomy. Not even the basics it was basically DO NOT HAVE SEX UNTIL MARRIED.
This is a common scenario in our schools.
Secondly, why do health professionals/educators think they are unable to come up with a comprehensive sex education? Even in a district that really limits you to abstinence only, as a professional you can and should offer a comprehensive look at sexuality.
Districts and school boards with agendas have too much say in what should be a professional educator's area. The lack of comprehensive health education and especially sexuality education is having a frighteningly tragic outcome. Some districts won't even offer comprehensive sexuality and health education in middle school. Believe me, by high school its too late. Some districts delay it in high school. And too many health teachers cannot or will not become skilled educators in this area.
This is not just about "sex" it is about our students' ability to navigate popular culture and the messages sent their way, to understand gender roles and break down barriers, understand their personal sexuality and break down barriers and become comfortable in their own skin.
The fact that there are so many diaries and comments telling people who should and should not be having sex and with whom and who should and should not be parenting sort of says we've missed the boat for quite awhile.