I’m sick of groups filling us up with propaganda to justify their cause. Whether it’s breastfeeding, natural birth or the education equivalent – sex-ed, hardly a day goes by without a study released pointing to the same old conclusions. Whilst these causes all have merit, there comes a time when one gets sick of being lectured to via an endless cycle of propaganda.
There is some validity behind the push to enforce sex ed on classrooms around the world. Like any other area, knowledge about safe sex in particular, makes a great deal of sense. But having witnessed various programs in action, I can’t help but think that sex-ed is extremely overrated.
The idea, as a recent study claims, that children in the absence of sex-ed turn to porn is ludicrous:
Australian researchers Maree Crabbe and David Corlett said children were turning to adult films because schools were not handling the positive aspects of sex.
The researchers presented their findings at a conference at London University’s Institute of Education.
“Discussion of sex and intimacy is too often avoided in schools,” they said.
“Porn has become a cultural mediator in how young people are understanding and experience sex. Porn is our most prominent sex educator.”
Diane Abbott, Labour’s Shadow Health Minister, said: “The rising numbers of girls having under-age sex is alarming. It is not a cost-free phenomenon.
“It poses public health policy challenges and social challenges. The underlying cause must be the ‘pornification’ of British culture and the increasing sexualisation of preadolescent girls.
“Too many young girls are absorbing from the popular culture around them that they only have value as sex objects. Inevitably they act this notion out.
“Government needs to respond to spiralling under-age sex, not with pointless schemes to teach abstinence, but with better PSHE teaching in schools for both girls and boys.”
I find the conclusions of this study extremely difficult to believe for the following reasons:
1. It seems to be inferring that if provided with a sex-ed course children wouldn’t turn to porn. Yeah right!
2. That mandatory PSHE classes would radically minimise the number of under-age sex and boys would come to show more respect to girls having taken the course.
“Up until my sex-ed course, I was treating women like objects, but since my classes, I am a changed person.” Yeah right!
3. I have sat through these classes and an inordinate amount of time is spent on the differences between the male and female anatomy. Whilst this is obviously of some value, most porn stars themselves don’t know the difference between a vulva, clitoris or vagina (even the female porn stars!).
4. Is it really the teachers job to “handle the positive aspects of sex?” If so, I quit! I’ve got more important things to do than promote sex to under-age children. This assertion is downright irresponsible. Can you imagine the outcry if kids came home telling their parents that they want to lose their virginity because their teacher told them that sex is a wonderful thing?”
5. Parents, follow my advice on this one. Your child’s sex education is primarily YOUR responsibility.
I refuse to promote sex in my classroom! I would sooner quit my profession than get involved in such downright immoral and undignified behaviour! If you are worried about girls being treated poorly and kids engaging in under-age sex, don’t point at a lack of sex-ed classes or blame the proliferation of porn. Instead remind parents to do the job they were entrusted with when they decided to bring life into this world.
Let’s cut the propaganda and get back to what we signed up to do – let’s teach the curriculum!
Topical Teaching 