Sex Education in Grammar School

When Should Sex Education Be Introduced in School?

June 24, 2010

Parents may have discussed the birds and the bees with their kids, but when should schools enter the conversation? Teen pregnancy is a national issue, but if sex ed starts too late, tweens and high schoolers may already be active. Forty-five percent of LilSugar readers said it was never too early to chat with their children.

In an age appropriate way, when do you think the topic should first be broached by educators?

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8 Comments

danakscully64 2 years 46 weeks

1st, but age appropriate material. 5th grade (the one with the most votes) might be too late, there are kids having sex and getting pregnant at that age.

katialoves 2 years 47 weeks

the puberty stuff...sometime before puberty..say 4th grade. i guess a discussion on sex and bc would also be good before puberty. keep it scientific with facts instead of telling kids to feel or not feel guilty, etc. however kids should be given info on private parts asap (kindergarten), and know that they should come to someone they trust if they get touched etc. this is also good because they could be victimized not only by an adult but by another kid at school. teach them that its not their fault, and not to go with strangers, etc anything necessary to avoid danger. this should be done at school because some parents don't do it and some parents/family members also abuse their kids sad that we have to do this but for their protection what choice do we have?

Studio16 2 years 47 weeks

The problem with sex ed in schools is that kids mature differently. I was mature enough to learn about sex in second grade. (Not just boys and girls are different - the whole process of intercourse and pregnancy.) My sister did not learn until she was 8 or 9. I have cousins who did not learn until 10, a friend who did not learn until 12. It all depends on how mature and ready the parents consider their child to be. Personally I think it's a moot point to introduce the concept of intercourse to a child under 6. Most kids under that age will laugh the second you say "penis" or "vagina." The other problem is religion. I come from a Christian household. My mother taught me that sex is between a man and a woman who love each other, it binds people together, it is something that involves all of your emotions, etc. Now I think most parents will agree with that, but what about parents who want their kids to know that sex is for married couples only? I think sex should be avoided in schools until at least fifth grade. If parents want to introduce it prior to that, that is their decision. I really wish it could be as simple as "Every individual parent should decide when to introduce sex," but if my best friend's parents had it their way, she still wouldn't know where babies really come from. It's sad, but true that some parents want to avoid sex. It's a healthy, natural process and should be treated as such.

psterling 2 years 47 weeks

I think sex education should happen early and often. Even starting in kindergarten with the basics of how boys and girls are different and adding a to the curriculum each year according to their maturity level. That way kids are comfortable with the subject and not bombarded all at once with information overload. Sex isn't a one-time conversation to have with children, its an on-going discussion. At least it should be!

2 years 47 weeks

Not everyone cares about the 'godly' thing to do. I actually don't regret my previous lovers, I feel I went into my marriage experienced and ready for that level of commitment. I also knew that my hubby and I clicked sexually, which is very important. To me sex is a very natural thing, and it shouldn't be a huge shock to kids.

2 years 47 weeks

I would say "never", because I feel that this should be the responsibility of parents and not schools, but unfortunately there are parents out there who simply don't "do their job" with their children, and slough it all off on school staff. I personally would not want somebody else telling my child about sex, but that's just me--I for one would think they should know by about 3rd grade, for the reason listed by Anonymous 1--some girls begin menstruating at that age and should be prepared.

Roarman 2 years 47 weeks

At my daughters school they started in thrid grade. They weren't taught about sex, but they were taught about their bodies and the changes they will go through. They separated the girls and boys (mainly to help with embarassment in front of the opposite sex) and each group learned about the changes that would occur for their gender and then they would switch and learn what the other gender will go through. Next year (fifth grade for my daughter) they might touch on the subject of sex more.

2 years 47 weeks

I'd say in third grade. by fourth i and most of my friends during that time knew what was what...and how to do it. also, some girls are likely to start menstruating about that time. so sex ed should be explained before they get to that point. any sex ed before this, should be left to the parents to be explained in an appropriate way. not that parents shouldn't take part in it anyway...but i hope that my children will wait til marriage. it's the Godly thing to do and it's a pure gift...think about it...after you find your spouse and get married...for the rest of your life your past partners will haunt you..your sex life with your spouse will be forever tainted. even the ONS'- no matter how much you forget their names or what they look like you won't forget that you've already bedded with them. and you will have to live with that regret for the rest of your life. sorry to make it a long one..but it's true. would you want to think of some past lover while you're being intimate with your wife/husband? this culture is degrading and so broken...there really needs to be a change in our society. it's sad.

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