Do you think that they should be teaching kids these things as early as 4th grade? Its important to know, but don't you think it may give kids ideas?

I think that sex education should be taught in school districts where the majority of parents have no objection to it being taught -- sex, after all, is as much an essential part of the human experience as food, drink, and sleep are... however, 4th Grade is WAY too early!

I'd say, teach it in a 9th Grade Health class -- the kids are 13 years old there, about to enter puberty, and they're at that age where they're starting to naturally think about these things anyway. That way, you're addressing students' concerns, not forcing new ideas on little kids who aren't ready for them...

Just my $0.02!

Sex Education should be taught to kids and help them understand the process of entering adulthood. Its very important for the development of a child. There is nothing wrong teaching kids about sex and what happens during sex, im not saying schools should play porno movies to the kids My first sex education lesson was when i was 11 and of course we all giggled at a full naked lady, hearing the word "penis" etc but it helped me to develope as a person.

What can be wrong with teaching kids about sex?? its life, its like riding a bike or learning how to write. Very important

Anti-Education people believe that if you teach sex-ed that the kids will become sex fiends and start having sex just because they saw it at school. While this is stupid, it is what they believe. Same with the giving condoms means they will have sex as if a condom has secret psychic powers that they use to make kids have sex.

Me? I don't care, teach it if you want to, most parents don't.

Originally posted by Yasuhiko23
Do you think that they should be teaching kids these things as early as 4th grade? Its important to know, but don't you think it may give kids ideas?

Once again this all stems from what happens at home.Things are happening alot sooner nowdays. Kids are using drugs sooner,getting pregnant sooner,getting sexually transmited diseases earlier. Let's face it the world is a different place then it was when we were growing up ( god I sound like my Grandfather LOL ) alot more things are happening to alot younger children. Some parents don't have a relationship with their kids and don't teach them the things they should! so because the parents of these poor kids are " slacking" these kids should pay the price? I think not!! My daughters and i have a good open relationship!! i anwer them honestly when they ask me a question( according to what they can handle with their age ) but i don't not tell them or lie to them!!!If u have a good kid that u communicate with honestly learning about sex in school and coming home and talking to you about it ( letting u tell them right from wrong) then they will not go out and have sex just cause then learned about it in school. Ever hear the saying you can lead a camel to water but u can't get it to drink!!! Kids are gonna do what they want,when then want and u can't be around them all the time, why not let them make informed decisions instead on letting them rely on " what their friends tell them" friends have a tendency to lie. I don;t think its a bad idea at all,

I'm guessing you just seen "Crossballs" on Comedy Central. This argument was on there just a couple of hours ago. Am I correct?

Sex-ed is very important- and i am not sure what age kids are in 4th grade( brit here)- but the sex-ed i had was terrible and my school had a high count of teenage pregnacies ( it was a girls school lol)- at one time there was a small nursery area in the school- a girl when i was there got pregnant in year 7- she was 13.

So i think it is important - and i think teachers should be really honest with kids about it- not pussy-foot around the subject.

here in sweden we start sex-ed at 13, but I would not mind if it would have been sooner, especially for the girls.

being 18, most of my "girl-buddies" and girlfriends had sex for the first time when they where 13-14, always with an 1-2 year older guy. as so wisely metioned before kids are gonna have sex, sex-ed or no sex-ed, the diffrence is that they will have the common sence to have a condom on them when furtune smiles their way

[edit on 12-8-2004 by disturbence]

It depends because the generation coming up is real stupid and I'm going to be brutally honest.

I worked in an after day care this whole summer and I came to one realization: Kids are dumb.

I'm 19 years old. My generation when we were in elementary school were a lot wiser than then today's generation. We were smarter and we were also sexually "ready" what have you.

I first started to get sex education in THIRD GRADE. That's how mature we were physically and mentally. Third grade.

Today, I see little kids in 5th grade and I think to myself my generation were a lot bigger and smart than these kids when we were in 5th grade.

My generation handled sex ed.
I don't think this one will.

I think you should have clasess on it from as early as 4th grade yeh.

If i had kids then i tell them as soon as the wanted to know, however old they were.

I dont think it would make things safer for all.

Well, when I was in 4th grade, we were taught minor sex education, and it expanded at each grade level. XD

Originally posted by Illmatic67
It depends because the generation coming up is real stupid and I'm going to be brutally honest.

I worked in an after day care this whole summer and I came to one realization: Kids are dumb.

I'm 19 years old. My generation when we were in elementary school were a lot wiser than then today's generation. We were smarter and we were also sexually "ready" what have you.

I first started to get sex education in THIRD GRADE. That's how mature we were physically and mentally. Third grade.

Today, I see little kids in 5th grade and I think to myself my generation were a lot bigger and smart than these kids when we were in 5th grade.

My generation handled sex ed.

Its hard to admit it, but he is saying the truth, kids are way too dumb.
I don't think this one will.

Not when sex education includes perv teachers telling girls in
the class to taste the condoms (see previous thread on this
about a month ago). The sex ed is too explicit and too early.

I don't think it really matters in the end but the 4th grade may be a bit young in my book. The 6th grade seems a bit more appropriate since they are actually starting to become sexually aware at that age anyways.

And sex education doesn't give them anymore ideas than their friends or movies would, two things no parent can shield their kids from completely.

I am originally from the South and they practice shielding their kids from everything...including books, yet they have one of the highest rates of pregnancy among teens in the country. Go figure, I guess thats what happens when you don't deny ignorance...cheap shot, I know.

I mentioned that in regard to another thread about orgs. like the silver ring thing etc. that countres that practice sheilding kids from stuff like this, and try to teach sexuall abstinence, like the states, are always the places were teen pragnancy is the highest, while countries with progressive sex-ed and easy avalible condoms etc, always is were teen pregancy is the lowest, like holland and sweden.

Sex education should be taught to parents and let them educate their children the way is most adequate according to the family culture. Sorry, I don't agree to educate children at school.

Some parents are embaressed or simply dont want to tell there kids though.

So all they learn may be in the playground , i heard rumours all the time and i think its better in open discussion in school with your mates to ask questions and help understand more.

I'm definately all for the teaching of sex ed. I started telling my 13 y.o. when she was 6 about "things" and it hasnt done any harm. I dont know what age a 4th grader is but im taking a guess of around 9/10 y.o.
If thats the case, then I agree. So many girls (dont know about the boys) are hitting puberty around that age now, that they have to be prepared. They might be too young to actually comprehend whats happening to their bodies but they sure as heck know the feelings that are inside them.

Parents should be teaching their kids as well (its not the responsibility of the school system alone) but I'd have to say that a huge swathe of parents either do it half - assed or dont do it at all. I'm more inclined to believe that if you DONT teach them sex ed, then that makes them all the more curious to find out what its really all about. But on the flip side of the coin,I know that in Britain the kids are given basic education, but it still doesnt stop Britain from now having the largest teen pregnancy rate in Europe.

I know that I just made a contradictory statement there, but would it not be better to inform those kids? Forearmed is forewarned, right?

But on the flip side of the coin,I know that in Britain the kids are given basic education, but it still doesnt stop Britain from now having the largest teen pregnancy rate in Europe.

(and second in the west world after the US)
But is it combined with easy access to condoms?

I dont know how easily available condoms are for teenagers now, but at one time yu could visit any Family Planning Clinic and get a small paper bag full of condoms or just take a handful from the reception desk and there were no questions asked. Theres the usual places to get them too e.g. chemists,supermarkets but as for availability in schools, I have no idea, but is a good question for my daughter.