Sex ed for kids - how young is too young?

I'm saying, stop being so fuzzy about storks and blabla. Give the kids the true story, so they wont grow up in major need of complete confusion about storks and seeds and bee's and stuff If they ask, tell them. If they dont ask, Tell them.

I am in agreement, I don't have kids, but if I do I'd like to think I'll tell them about everything clearly.  Kids can't feel they can ask you about stuff until you show you're willing to talk about it openly.

My school introduced the program when you hit 6th grade which i dont think is too young. I was 11 so it caught m ost people before they tried anything. We had another program in 8th grade and one in High School

i also talked to them about STDs and condoms and there choices and if they make as baby step up and be a man and take care of it ...

Firefly007 wrote:

I had somewhat of a different experience. My church was liberal (Unitarian) and I attended VERY descriptive sex ed. classes there. I believe the age range went down to 13 years old and there were different classes for the younger kids. The classes involved a more realistic approach to teens and sex, there were videos, pictures, intensive discussions, etc...

All in all I became sexually active at a young age as well. I had one very bad experience due to poor judgment, but besides that I believe I was healthy and safe about things despite my age. I'm sure my open and honest sexual education instructors helped me avoid some confusion, but I have to say there's not much that will stop a young teenager from experimenting early on in today's society.

But from what you're saying, it sounds like if one gets a clear education on the matter, yes they may still become sexually active young, but they will do so in a safe way and have a better awareness and control over what they're doing?  Which has to be a good thing?  I'm very relieved to hear there are some more open-minded churches out there.

Piaqua - you just raised a really interesting point I hadn't thought of, yes as children adults come up with all sorts of vague and mysterious references for gentiles, adding to the confusion, then when children and their peers get a little older the words become crude and dirty, suggesting  something forbidden, which of course makes kids want to do it, but makes them feel unable to reach out for help if they get into trouble, because they've done something wrong.

I had sex ed at school in 4/5th grade. I think that's about the right age to learn about it. I mean, you don't need anything too detailed because you learn more as you get older, from home, from friends, from further health classes. I had health class in middle school and high school--I think it was helpful to be "formally introduced" to the subject at school around 5th grade, because it teaches us to approach it in a grown-up manner and not be embarrassed about it, and also to keep from passing wrong information just amongst kids, because that happens inevitably when we're not educated on it. Also, you can't always count on all parents to teach their kids about the stuff--and sometimes it's awkward between parent and child, so I think school is a good place to get a good background.

MissMillion wrote:

Firefly007 wrote:

I had somewhat of a different experience. My church was liberal (Unitarian) and I attended VERY descriptive sex ed. classes there. I believe the age range went down to 13 years old and there were different classes for the younger kids. The classes involved a more realistic approach to teens and sex, there were videos, pictures, intensive discussions, etc...

All in all I became sexually active at a young age as well. I had one very bad experience due to poor judgment, but besides that I believe I was healthy and safe about things despite my age. I'm sure my open and honest sexual education instructors helped me avoid some confusion, but I have to say there's not much that will stop a young teenager from experimenting early on in today's society.

But from what you're saying, it sounds like if one gets a clear education on the matter, yes they may still become sexually active young, but they will do so in a safe way and have a better awareness and control over what they're doing?  Which has to be a good thing?  I'm very relieved to hear there are some more open-minded churches out there.

For sure, in my opinion it's a great advantage in life to know these things. I'm just saying for those parents who are looking for a way to deter their child from having sex, I don't think there's much that can be done.

itd be good to ask why its funny and embarrassing and get them to think why they feel things are taboo or wrong... course they would have to find out whether the parents mind a liberal attitude or not

MissMillion wrote:

I think a lot of parents aren't informed enough themselves to properly inform their children, they could do to attend some awareness classes to put them in a better position to teach their kids.

Completely agree parents are not always well-informed themselves. I still think the school should teach sex ed. I don't think it hurts anyone, and usually, it can be a couple classes, or a week or something.

I remember it was really embarrassing in the beginning (because we were in 5th grade), but better at school with proper information than TV, censored information from parents, exaggerated or glamorized info from friends, etc.

MissMillion wrote:

Exactly.  I'm quite interested as to what this Virgin Daughters documentary is going to be like, from the previews I gather it's about an American religious cult who make their daughters from as young as six make a pact of 'purity', not even a kiss until their wedding day.

I wish they were showing that over here too, like on BBC America or something- sounds interesting. Though it would probably infuriate me so maybe it's for the best.

I have class that starts in an hour so I would miss your updates anyway, but thanks for the offer