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Kent, you are such a bright young man and a terrific writer.  This same subject is being discussed over in the Ministry of Free Thought, and no one there was able to get the message across in such an articulate manner.  Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us about this very important issue.

I hope so too, W'rk....and maybe more people will speak out against it as more and more become aware of what Bush is trying to pull...

...though don't count on the media to give it too much attention--they seem to be far too busy sticking their heads in the sand--of the middle-east, that is! lol....

Abstinence only works. Just look at Uganda and what has happened to the AIDS rates there. The failures of absitenence only education are pure myth.

Abstinence only works. Just look at Uganda and what has happened to the AIDS rates there. The failures of absitenence only education are pure myth.

Uganda has been very sucessful in lowering their AIDs problem do to abstinence,  this however should not be confused with Uganda only teachings abstinence.  As this is simply not the case President Museveni's campaign has included mandatory HIV testing as well the promotion of the use of condoms.

That said the situation is not the same at all.  In america most peoples don't even consider the treat of HIV, especially among high school students. I'm from Canada,  but it should be about the same, my biggest fear is getting some girl pregnant,  not sexually transmitted diseases, most of all HIV.  It is for this reason that while I think that promoting abstinence in North American should be sex educations primary focus,  but should also include other safe sex topics.   

Some might say thats that sex ed should be left to the parents.  To this I agree but at the same time disagree.  Parents should talk to their children about this,  but it shouldn't be assumed that parents will do a comprehensive job doing doing so.  Double and even triple coverage is very important when it comes to safety.

As for the Bush Administration,  I think its irresponsible to not teach other forms of sex ed other than abstinence.  I mean I have no problem making it the focus,  but it should not be the only thing. Its just putting special interests above the population.  Not that that isn't the common practice in politics.  (notice that I said politics  not republican politics,  so don't jump on my telling me "the Democrats blah blah blah ...")

Why the booboo is sex education in school anyway?  School is to teach you about math, english, science, etc.  Leave the rest to the parents.

I think there are many parents who either don't know how to or don't want to approach their children about sex. Sex education in schools is a good way of reaching all kids. There are simply too many households where sex is not spoken of, so therefore the problem doesn't exist, yeah right.

Kent! How nice to see you on the forums again! Now let me see if I can continue along my train of thought since I was interrupted by my physics class.

I must admit to having mixed feelings on this subject, mainly because I believe that sex is only for marriage. However, I fully realize that not everyone ascribes to this view. I also don't think it's necessarily a good thing that Bush is pushing one view above all others. I recall a quote from somewhere said (obviously) by someone, neither of which I can recall at the moment, anyway, the person basically said that part of the reason Queen Elizabeth I was such a good queen was becuse she had the ability to put aside her personal beliefs for the good of the country.

While I do think that there is a time for a ruler to be influenced by his personal beliefs for the good of the country, I don't think that this is necessarily one of them. If in fact, it is because of the information that current sex-ed programs offer the teen birth-rate is so low, then I agree, why change it?

Of course, it would be best if every single parent did their job properly and then we wouldn't even need to be having this discussion. However, in today's society, that's very unlikely. I really don't like the idea of the schools taking the parent's place in this. But, since it seems to be inavoidable, then I think it would be best if the schools just changed their curriculum slightly to place an emphasis on abstinence, since that is the only surefire way to avoid pregnancy and STDs.

I've known some adults that feel uncomfortable talking to their kids about sex.  I think they're idiots, but that won't change their behavior.  I think sex ed in the schools is great.  I suggest me make Bush a one term president to get the point across.

Jayhawk, if you ever have children in the public school system and sex ed class time rolls around, you are free to remove your children from the class.

Don't you know me at all?  No kid of mine's setting foot in a public school.

Then Jay, move down here and send your kids to my school.  Yes, it's private, and they'll receive nothing even vaguely resembling Sex-Ed...

Just a reminder...

I (of course) completely respect Jayhawk's (and everyone's) choices in education methods, but (not to sound rude or anything) I'm hoping to highlight the issue of sex-ed in public education and stimulate teen dialog regarding it, since they are the primary people affected by this issue.

Public schools aren't for everyone. Including me, for instance. But I have still received a sex-education in public school.

Vive la Difference!

Not that that at all applies to you

In case you missed that again...

Not that that at all applies to you

I was simply noting that homeschooling is a method used by isolative parents, and is detrimental when used as such.

An edjumucation is an edjumucation. I don't see why it should exclude learnin about sexual related stuff.
What's so special about the sweet jiggy woowa that it should be verboten in school?

(And if you are a teenager like me, that should be a no-brainer.)

My oath. Anyone who thinks you can stop kids from screwing by having their teacher tell them that bad things might happen is staggeringly out of touch with reality.

Valid point, Jen.

I also am well aware of that Newsweek issue, it was (in part) my inspiration for this topic.

You are right that many teens can (and do) choose to be abstainent until marriage. But just like Kai pointed out, it is laughingly unrealistic to think that every teen can be convinced to make that decision.

At the very least, kids should be taught abstinence as well as other options so that when decision time comes (as it unfailingly does) they can at least make an informed and educated choice.

And that makes life safer for us all, and helps fight STD's, HIV, and teen dropout rates/poverty/homelessness/abortions related to teen pregnancy.