Here’s another controversial topic. Insert usual warning here.
Where does talk of sex belong in our schools? What exactly should be taught there? Well, I’ll be honest with you; kids aren’t stupid. I firmly believe that there comes a time when we need to start treating them like adults, and that time comes a lot earlier than most people seem to think. Truth be told, I’m not exactly sure when that point comes. It’s varies a lot depending on the kid. Oh, I still think things like having set ages for drinking, voting, and driving are important…though I do believe that a few of them should probably be lowered (kids are smarter these days, and lets not forget that most are going to drink whether they’re underage or not). The point is, these kids have a right to certain facts. We can’t hold back certain truths from them just because they’re young; at some point it’s better that they be told the facts of life then to let them figure it out on their own. This is the age of the Internet folks. They’ll discover sex whether we want them to or not, and frankly I think it would be better to have a qualified person give them the facts. Sex Ed is important, and I think it most definitely belongs in our schools. More importantly though, the full truth of the matter should be shared, not just bits and pieces. Kids need to know about the dangers of sexual transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy. They need to know how to protect themselves against this…and no, I don’t mean abstinence. While it’s a good idea, the truth is that a lot of teens are still going to go ahead and have sex, and there’s really very little we can do about it other than never letting them out of their rooms. They need to know about the pill, and most importantly, condoms. Yes, we need to teach kids about condoms in our schools. Underage pregnancy is a big problem in this country, and teaching kids about the importance of using condoms would prevent a lot of them. So the question is….why aren’t we? Well, again the problem we’re dealing with is people pushing some of their own ideas on the rest of us. A lot of people are of the mistaken impression that teenagers won’t have sex if we just tell them not to. They seem to think that if we just teach abstinence, that will be enough. Well it’s not. Teenagers of all ages are going to have sex, whether they’re taught abstinence or not. Teaching them about condoms won’t somehow corrupt them or convince them that it’s okay to start having sex early….it’ll just make sure that if they do, they’re prepared for it. Underage sex is a problem, I’ll admit it. A lot of kids aren’t quite mature enough to fully understand the consequences. But a lot of them are. Again, kids aren’t stupid, and they have rights. They have a right to proper information about their own bodies, and they have a right to decide what to do with that information.
So do I think teenagers should wait until they’re ready to engage in sex? Of course! But I also realize that many won’t wait, and I’d rather those kids be prepared for it by being properly informed. Everyone has a right to the truth, and holding it back from them is simply wrong. It’s the responsibility of our schools to give proper information to their students, and I say we let them do their job right. Sex Ed in schools is important! Information about sex, STDs, pregnancy, condoms, pills, hell even sex toys (let’s be honest, they’re going to masturbate, might as well give them a few tips), I think it belongs in schools. I certainly wish I had it in mine. It would have made growing up and figuring this crap out a hell of a lot less awkward and confusing!
P.S. A lot of you are probably going to disagree with me on this one. Again, feel free to express your own opinions. I won’t take offence as long as you keep it respectful! 
