Sex Education in Schools

There is a debate going on between the Helena Public Schools and parents over whether or not to introduce a new sex-ed program for all grades(k-12). In first grade, educators would teach children about homosexuality, and by fifth grade, kids would learn about the different types of intercourse. The new program would begin teaching kids in elementary school in hopes of raising awareness and lowering teen pregnancy numbers as well as STDs. Some parents and other opponents say that the new curriculum begins at too young of an age, that the language is too graphic for young children, and that by talking about sex, it will make kids want to start exploring sex earlier. Others say that Sex Education should be left out of school completely, and that it is up to parents to discuss the topics with their own chilren.

Personally, I think that beginning Sex Ed at a younger age is a good idea. I think teenagers take sex too lightly and don't really consider the consequences of their actions until they are faced with a difficult situation like a pregnancy or a disease. I think that educating kids about sex at a young age, using age-appropriate terms, could be extremely beneficial. I don't think that teaching kids about sex will push them into taking part in sexual activity any earlier. It will just help them to make informed decisions when they do decide they are ready to have sex.

Here are a couple articles written on this subject.
http://helenair.com/news/local/education/article_b7763efe-7395-11df-b7b4-001cc4c03286.html

http://www.krtv.com/news/helena-schools-draft-sex-ed-document-causing-controversy/