by Linda Shrigley

Created on: June 17, 2008   Last Updated: March 26, 2010

Sex Education in schools

Sex education in schools is a great way for our teenagers and younger children to learn about the human body and the effects sex can have on them. Sex education classes should start in grade eight and continue on through high school. This is the age that our children are most apt to experiment with the human body and its responses to sexual activities.

Our children need to learn what they can expect from their bodies as they grow into puberty. That is the time when both boys and girls start to have feelings that they do not understand, unless they have been taught by their parents or sex education classes in school. If our children do not know what to expect or know what their bodies are going to go through, they may start experimenting with the feelings that are going through them. This may cause our children to engage in situations in which they do not know about and are not sure what they should do about these feelings.

Some children have more advantages now than teenagers of years ago did, when their parents did not discuss sex, or the effects sex can have on them. Years ago, talking about sex with your mother was taboo - at least it was for me. They did not even teach us what to expect when we started our periods. I learned about my period from the girl next door. Luckily, her mother was not as closed mouthed as my mother was.

It is important for our children to grow up with respect for themselves and others, where sex is concerned. Our children should be taught to have morals and strong personal values. We are here to teach our children that sex is a healthy part of growing up, as long as they are well-educated in the good and bad results, of what a sexual relationship entitles them and are aware of what the consequences will be if not educated in the proper circumstances.

Our young children, age 11-13, need to learn the proper knowledge in every aspect of sex and sexuality. They need to learn what can happen if they have unprotected sex. They will need to know that along with the STD diseases that are out there, there are also unwanted pregnancies that can occur if they do not protect themselves. There are too many young girls getting pregnant, simply because their parents do not wish to talk to them about the consequences of having unprotected sex at such a young age.

Sex education in high school not only teaches our children the benefits of cleanliness, it teaches our children that sex is a normal part of life, and if done at the right time and age, there is nothing wrong with them engaging in sexual activities. If our children have the full benefits and consequences of sex, they will do the right thing when the time comes.

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