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Today's Poll: Should sex education be required in public schools?

By Howard B. Owens
Laura Russell Ricci

With the option to opt out should parents choose not to have their children attend. My young children already are taught what "bad touch" is, so why not continue to educate them on what happens to their bodies through to adulthood? I would advocate to include all options from abstinence to birth control.

Sep 24, 2012, 11:35am Permalink
Mark Brudz

It all depends on the extent of what is taught. I agree with Laura as far as opt out.

Bad touching, risk associated with extra marital sex, the actual biology of sex(Age Dependant) and the responsibilities of the consequences yes. But an opt out.

Responsible parents will do all the above in an ongoing process, and should decide for their families appropriately, less responsible parents in all likelyhood not even bother to opt out

Sep 24, 2012, 11:48am Permalink
C. M. Barons

Mandatory with an opt-out provision (on face-value) seems contradictory. Maybe with an opt-out provision that requires documentation of participation in an alternative program that serves the same end. This would be similar to home school provisions that document minimum curricular requirements are satisfied. ...Not too onerous.

Sep 24, 2012, 1:50pm Permalink
Mark Brudz

CM, for better or for worse, the primary educator of all children are their parents.

Should sex education be offered in public schools? Yes!

Should parents have an opt out provision?
Yes!

Should my wife and I have to report to any government agency what we specifically do to handle educating or own children about matters sexual and moral? NO!

To anyone that suggest that any parent should justify what steps they have taken in this regard is insane. And to anyone who suggest that I or any other parent must justify and be mandated to provide proof to any government agency what I teach my children, I have only one reply.

GO TO HELL!

Sep 24, 2012, 2:19pm Permalink
Jeff Allen

Seems kind of silly to require parental involvement in sex education when the kids can already get condoms , morning after pillls, and abortions without the parents knowledge or involvement.

Sep 24, 2012, 3:44pm Permalink
Phil Ricci

Why is that silly, Jeff? It is a parent's responsibility to teach their kids values. It is the school district's role to provide education on what's out there. Just because there are agencies available to help, shouldn't allow parents to become absolved from their part.

What's silly is thinking that just because you say something that kids will automatically listen and obey. Lord knows I would love that, but I'm not naive. I want my kids to fully understand what the consequences are for their decisions, but I also want to make sure they're educated as well.

As far as the above. I don't like the mandatory when in regards to this type of subject, but I think it has value, so I agree with, Laura.

Sep 24, 2012, 4:11pm Permalink
Rich Richmond

I have no problem with the program being offered as an option provided that the entire text and/or lesson plan be available on the Board of Education Website for the parents to preview beforehand.

Sep 24, 2012, 4:20pm Permalink
Kelly Hansen

In my opinion, it should be up to the family to provide sex education/family planning. My grandparents received no sex education classes in school and they neither had children prior to marriage nor sexual transmitted diseases. Parents today are failing our children and I'm not so sure our public schools are the remedy.

Sep 24, 2012, 6:41pm Permalink
Stephen Clark

Its such a shame that I would feel the need to vote yes for this type of education in school, though I firmly believe that the parents ought to do the correct and proper educating of their children in regards to sexual education. I guess it's another sign of the times to where we depend on our schools to teach what should be taught at home

Sep 24, 2012, 7:40pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

What could school teach that isn't already out there, watch, "Teen Moms" , if that doesn't teach something, nothing the school does will either.
I voted yes, although I feel it is a parental responsibility.

Sep 25, 2012, 5:16am Permalink

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