Spring Break
Too soon for 'the talk'
Jason M. Wallace
Issue date: 10/30/08 Section: Opinion
Remember taking the sex ed. lesson that accompanied the high school gym and P.E. classes? Now, imagine taking the same classes in middle school or in elementary school. I feel that sex education should begin in middle school at the earliest. Anytime earlier is robbing a child of his or her blissful freedom from the woes of maturity.
The British have been discussing the start of sex education with children as young as five years of age. Sex education is very important, but I feel that the innocence of childhood is even more vital to development.
Early childhood is meant for learning how to make friends and for playing. If a child learns how dangerous sexually transmitted diseases can be by being "too close" to their friend, then that child could be too scared to sleep next to anyone during naptime. Childhood is a time for purity and carelessness, not a time to be afraid of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections!
Toys constantly influence children and television shows are trying to steal their innocence. From a young age, girls are swayed by the sexuality of Hanna Montana and Bratz dolls, and the allure of young motherhood from stars like Jamie Lynn Spears. Boys follow the images they see in music videos or the mature rated videogames that they can get a hold of. They will realize that the people and images that they admire are full of sex. If children are made to learn about sex as early as five, these children will be completely robbed of their innocence.
There is also the risk of younger students wanting to experience sex at a younger age if the idea is introduced too early. Would a child try to get cookies out of the cookie jar if he isn't told where the cookie jar is in the first place? If a teacher introduces sex and what it 'looks like,' per se, then a child's interest will at least be peeked enough to explore what is forbidden.
Sex education helps the youth become more aware of their bodies. But as many of us know, ignorance is bliss and children should be the most blissful people. Parents should guide their children toward more childhood experiences, like the playground or board games instead of letting the sex-drenched media raise their children. Let children stay innocent as long as they can. They grow up too quickly as it is.
This writer can be contacted at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.
The British have been discussing the start of sex education with children as young as five years of age. Sex education is very important, but I feel that the innocence of childhood is even more vital to development.
Early childhood is meant for learning how to make friends and for playing. If a child learns how dangerous sexually transmitted diseases can be by being "too close" to their friend, then that child could be too scared to sleep next to anyone during naptime. Childhood is a time for purity and carelessness, not a time to be afraid of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections!
Toys constantly influence children and television shows are trying to steal their innocence. From a young age, girls are swayed by the sexuality of Hanna Montana and Bratz dolls, and the allure of young motherhood from stars like Jamie Lynn Spears. Boys follow the images they see in music videos or the mature rated videogames that they can get a hold of. They will realize that the people and images that they admire are full of sex. If children are made to learn about sex as early as five, these children will be completely robbed of their innocence.
There is also the risk of younger students wanting to experience sex at a younger age if the idea is introduced too early. Would a child try to get cookies out of the cookie jar if he isn't told where the cookie jar is in the first place? If a teacher introduces sex and what it 'looks like,' per se, then a child's interest will at least be peeked enough to explore what is forbidden.
Sex education helps the youth become more aware of their bodies. But as many of us know, ignorance is bliss and children should be the most blissful people. Parents should guide their children toward more childhood experiences, like the playground or board games instead of letting the sex-drenched media raise their children. Let children stay innocent as long as they can. They grow up too quickly as it is.
This writer can be contacted at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Kaitlyn
posted 11/03/08 @ 10:38 AM EST
Sex education in this country is about as bad as it can get. Teens are only taught about abstinence - they learn nothing about contraceptives and very little about STDs. (Continued…)
Maria
posted 11/03/08 @ 12:58 PM EST
I'm not sure about this....I plan on telling my children very early on about sex. I don't know et how far into detail I'll go, but I do know that they're going to be educated on this subject. (Continued…)
Health Educator
posted 11/04/08 @ 11:23 AM EST
I agree with you 100% Kaitlyn. Teaching kids with abstinence only programs is about as effective as the D.A.R.E. program was, and we all know that wasn't and still isn't too successful. (Continued…)
Jon
posted 11/04/08 @ 5:15 PM EST
Middle school should be when the BASICS of sex ed should be taught, any younger should be up to the parents.
One thing that HAS to be taught to kid as early as possible (ideally kindergarten or earlier) is the difference between good touch and bad touch, many abused kids are abused right at home, so drilling that into their heads is important. (Continued…)
Days
posted 11/04/08 @ 10:23 PM EST
I took sex-ed in 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 10th grade. We were not taught an abstinence only program. We were taught about different contraceptives and STD's. (Continued…)
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