If teens are having sex, why aren't we teaching them how to protect themselves?

The whole thing is silly. Sex is just another aspect of being an animal and a Human. Do what ever floats your boat as long as you are responsible. What are we shielding the kids from? I think everyone has figured out we all have the same parts. Sex should be enjoyed for pleasure as well as love. The US needs to grow up.

We were factual and up front with our son about what sex was all about. I would have been insulted had some pathetic sex ed class handed him a text book with sections bypassed or images blocked with stickers.

This whole subject makes me want to just pound me head on a table.

By the way, Gov. Palin, how did all that abstinence only preaching work out for you and your kids?

I think sex ed, in the early years should be teaching about the body and not to be ashamed of it. As early as possible, I think this education should be co-ed. If children grow up early being comfortable with each other, there is less chance of hidden, furtive activity.

As soon as the kids are entering sexual maturity, proper birth control and STD prevention methods should be taught. By high school, the education should be on how to be with each other, straight or gay, with respect and love. Maybe this country could lower its inclination towards abuse and treating girlfriends and wives like property.

That's my opinion anyway.

You know, after thinking about it, I think this issue is a non-issue that is being promoted by politicians not only as a tool to divide and conquer but to shift attention away from the abuse and neglect of our neediest and suffering of our society. GOD forbid they might have to help someone poor....

You know, sometimes I don't know what to think about the whole sex education uproar.

I'm fifteen years old, homeschooled, and have never set foot on a high school campus.

Consequently, I've never been through a sex education course.

However, I know about the different forms of birth control (the pill, condoms, the patch, contraceptive foams and creams, spermicides, etc.), and how to effectively use them. I would dare to say that most of us know what they do and how to use them.

In the words of Dr. House, "haven't you seen an after-school special?".

We know. In addition to parents (if we're lucky), and schools, media has taught us. Ultimately, it's up to us. I have friends who know darn well how to use condom, but choose to use the withdrawl method instead. Yes, they're being dumb, but they also know other methods and the risks they're taking.

Sorry if I'm "flaming" or whatever, but that's just my opinion. Maybe if kids knew all of the benefits of EVERY form of birth control, including extensive abstinence education, we would make better decisions. Maybe we won't.

Ultimately, it's up to the individual and the paths they choose.

"If teens are having sex, why aren't we teaching them how to protect themselves?"

If only Sarah Palin would ask herself that question...

because some goodie-two-shoes,moral crusader thinking that only they know what is best for us doesn't want children to be taught sex-ed in school.Just because thier head is buried in the sand they think everyones should be.

Why is it we feel the need to shelter our kids from the things they need to know for life? To me sex ed isnt about telling them how to do it right, it is about teaching them Health. When a kid is in school we teach them things they need to know for their future. And not all that we teach them is useful to them today, but will be in the future. Just because they are not married today, or maybe not even having sex today, doesnt mean that the information isnt vital to their future. Are these people saying that a husband shouldnt understand his wife? Are they saying that a wife doesnt have a key role in the health and well being of their families? I think if we are NOT teaching our kids about the things they need to know for LIFE then WE are the ones hurting them! And saying that they should be taught in the home is just silly. Yes, they should be taught about love and right from wrong from their parents, but if you think that all parents are going to give their kids CORRECT information, then you havent talked to people about what their parents taught them about it! Go to any High School and randomly ask the kids what their parents have told them.

Good job! It's like I always thought; 9/10th's of the people for abstinence are just BIG hypocrites. Who do they think they are to expect their kids will do things any different than they did? It's unrealistic..and judgemental.

...because we are disengenuous, irresponsible craven COWARDS?

Hey, that's my answer, and I'm sticking with it!

Massachusetts refused all federal funding for abstinence only education, so proud of my state

First of all Abstinence ONLY is a code word from the "unplanned motherhood "crowd.

Comprehensive sex ed is also a misleading code word because it is not comprehensive. These people could not care less about promoting abstinence

It treats kids as future sluts that cannot control themselves and is planning for their failure

Studies show that it is not successful. It is a huge cover up.

It is based on a big lie because the statisitcs show that the CCU is less than 50 %.

The spread of STDs and the #s of abortions are additional proofs ot its failure.

The constant attack on abstinence education is a strategy to hide the failure of sex ed

Since abstinence based education is a very small %. of sex education and as it is pushed out by liberals, soon they wil have only themselves to blame for the culture of sexual extension they are so eager to promote

I think that's the million dollar question. Not only do the programs that offer all around education on sexual health and protection enlighten and educate like they are suppose to, but they break the ice when it comes to parents talking to their kids about sexuality and responsibility in general. I think abstinence-only programs are detrimental to the education of kids as well as simply being another part of our society that is run with a very Christian overtone to it. Not everyone believes that sex outside of marriage is going to send you to hell. But it is true that if you have ignorant sex, you will have a lot more unexpected results in the future. Kids need to know what their sperm and egg are and are capable of.

It's a new line of culture I guess. Culture is apparently my word of the day, but it fits heavily into many of today's topics.

most schools teach Abstinance because they get more government funding for it

and rarely because of a point of view

Abstinance is good, but sometimes unrealistic. Even in a religious community, sex is human nature. We all have those urges, weather we persue them or not. So parents should be preaching abstinance, but also preaching openess. If teens could tell their parents about sex or having it, then teen pregnancy (the root of the problem) could be reduced.

Tell mom or dad, get birth control or condoms and contraceptives. Practice safe sex. And eliminate casual sex by instilling the fact that sex should be with someone who you love. Parents need to be understanding in that since, because telling them "no or else" just ends in them doing it anyway behind your back, untill you hear "Hey guys, im pregnant."