http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2017-02-15/texas-school-districts-skimping-on-sex-education-report-says
This article is about a report from the Texas Freedom Network, talking about the high percentage of public school districts in Texas that taught abstinence-only or no sex education at all. A significant factor is that in 2009 Texas's legislature removed high school health classes as a requirement for graduation. It is believed that because of this decision, no requirement for health classes means that there is no requirement for sex education. Teachers and policy makers are uncomfortable talking about sexuality and sex education, especially with youth in schools. Interestingly enough, in 2011 Texas had the fifth-highest birth rate in the nation among girls age 15 to 19.
In the article, a Texas mom stated, "I think our public schools should focus on reading, writing, math and history as the core competency". She also stated, "the social, emotional issues are not the role of the public schools". If students are not taught this critical health information in schools, it is not guaranteed that students will be taught this health information elsewhere. These issues impact students' education and can then create non-academic barriers, which then would need to be addressed. Not talking about sex education is not benefiting or protecting our youth.
Hannah,
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting article you posted. It brings up the question about what is really supposed to be taught in schools. I think parents sometimes feel threatened by the school teaching about "social, emotional issues" as they feel they have the right as parents to determine whether and what to share about those things. However, I also think there is a substantial fear component about sex education and other social and emotional education in schools. I think parents worry if their kids learn about sex, drugs, or suicide, it will "give them the idea" and they will be more likely to do/use it, despite evidence to the contrary. Implementing non-academic education into the system would likely require substantial psychoeducation for the parents to address their fears and concerns.
Hannah and Karyn,
DeleteI am a proponent of comprehensive sex education in schools based on the statistics I have encountered in my studies in comparing comprehensive sex education to abstinence-only or nonexistent sex ed. I feel that school is a practical place for this kind of education to be delivered as it ensures that it is reaching most adolescents, as opposed to allowing parents to take matters into their own hands or hoping students take advantage of the education offered elsewhere. I can see, however, the concern parents may have. Sex is an issue to which parents take various approaches and about which parents often have strong feelings. The information one's child receives about sex being out of the parents' control could be worrisome. I agree with you, Karyn, that psychoeducation may be useful for some parents to ease their fears about sex education in schools by showing the true benefits and, therefore, gaining their support. The question then becomes, how and when is the psychoeducation administered?