Obama and the liberal agenda - Teaching K-12 Sex-ed and the prevention, transmission and spread of HIV (democrat, Reed)

[rnc76]

I'm all for teaching young children about the dangers out there in terms of sexual predators. All too often, sexual predators are related to the child, they are someone they trust. People worry so much about the "boogyman" lurking in the bushes waiting to kidnap and molest their children. When, in reality, there is a much higher likelihood that your child will be abused by a family member, an older sibling's friend, a neighbor, a member of the clergy...

[mimimomx3]

By the looks of Sarah Palin's family, Alaska sure could use some sex eduation in the public high schools there.

[HighlandsGal]

Originally Posted by LNTT_Vacationer

And again, should the state pass a law requiring the outline of how Creationism should be presented, I'm pleased you'll be fine with that because you can have your kids stay home on those days.

Um, no I wouldn't. Creationism is faith-based and has no reason to be in a public school.

Sex education is science and health...no religion involved.

[quelinda]

Originally Posted by LNTT_Vacationer

Why would Obama vote for a bill that deletes the requirement to teach that pupils should abstain from sexual intercourse? How does this mesh with his speech to "reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies in this country?"

Here is why:

Even a teenager of questionable intelligence can easily figure out, without ANY education, that you get pregnant from sex and that if you do NOT engage in sex you will not get pregnant. I mean the dumbest of the dumb know how babies are conceived. We know teens do what they want and often dont listen to us, so they need to be reminded that they must protect themselves if they will engage in sex, and precisely how and where they can find the resources to protect themselves. One thing is for certain, even if they are taught abstinence only, a large percentage of kids will nevertheless engage in sex, with PALIN'S DAUGHTER BEING JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF MANY.

[obsidian97]

Originally Posted by LNTT_Vacationer

Just thought I'd spend a couple of minutes to present an Illinois senate bill, SB0099 that Obama voted for - give him credit, it wasn't one of his "present" votes. Remarkable for what it deletes and what is inserted. Link contains the bill that he voted for. It is an example of the liberal social programs and views in which an Obama admin will pursue. Some may find this good; others may believe differently. . . it is an issue to consider when voting. Just the facts madam. . . .

1. The bill changes sex-ed instruction from 6-12 to now include K-5.

2. removes teaching the requirement that abstinence is "100% effective against unwanted teenage pregnancy" and replaces it with "abstinence is an effective method." (Only effective. . . more liberal "education." Short of sterilization, abstinence is the only 100% effective method to prevent teenage pregnancy - why be dishonest to kids?)

3. It deletes the requirement to teach honor and respect for monogamous heterosexual marriage.

4. It deletes the requirement to teach that pupils should abstain from sexual intercourse until they are ready for marriage. (Recall, it's K thru 12 we're talking about here.)

5. It deletes the requirement to discuss the possible emotional and psychological consequences of preadolescent and adolescent sexual intercourse outside of marriage and the consequences of unwanted adolescent pregnancy.

6. It deletes the requirement to present the alternatives to abortion (so much for full education and Obama touting of his plan to reduce abortions - please)


Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SB0099

Love how you leave out important aspects like parents can opt out, material has to be age and developmentally appropriate, success and failure rates of other forms of contraception, possible consequences of unintended pregnancy or STDs, finanical responsibilities of having kids out of wedlock.


Oh here's one you really don't hear about:

"Course material and instruction shall EMPHASIZE that the pupil has the power to control personal behavior. Pupils shall be encouraged to base their actions on reasoning, self-discipline, sense of responsibility, self-control, and ethical considerations, such as respect for oneself and others."

Oh man! How marxist!

Self control!

So if you're arguing that this is, perhaps difficult to expect of a child who sees paradise by the dashboard light, then ummm... perhaps you might want to teach them about things like condoms and not rely on the fairy-tale of abstinence alone.

[songgirl]

Our kids today are bombarded by sex on TV, in magazines, the internet. They are being "educated ", so to speak,by these mediums every day. I think the more formal education they receive and the more intelligent information they get, the better. Just my 2 pennies.

As to K-5 kids receiving sex ed? That doesn't sound so great at first. But consider... this bill only provides schools the OPPORTUNITY to provide information that falls under the large umbrella of sexual education. Individual school boards along with parents would ultimately decide what works best for particular age groups or if they provide it at all. And of course all parents would have the opportunity to have their children "opt out."

I have a kindergartner and have no problem with her teacher reinforcing the dangers of sexual predators in language that both parents and teachers come to agree is appropriate. Also, if she had a classmate with AIDS, let's say, I have no problem with her teacher explaining that AIDS is a disease that cannot be caught by sitting next to that person or by playing tag. That would classify as sex. ed. and would be beneficial info. at her age, IMO.

Without the OK to provide sex. ed. to our elementary age children, the above information could not be given. In fact, as it stands now, at least in Florida, teachers are not even permitted to say the word AIDS to elementary students because that would fall into the realm of sex ed.

The bill also addresses the fact that abstinence only education hasn't proven to be effective. So it suggests including options on birth control and more education on STD's at an age that schools and parents in that district deem appropriate. Again, the "opt out" would be available.

Basically, I think it was a good bill, but it needed more refinement. McCain should bring intelligent discussion to the table instead of slanderous, misleading ads! His ad is an insult to all parents who take this issue seriously!

For parents who choose to provide sex. ed. at home only, I completely respect your decision. You wouldn't be affected by this bill because your children would not be attending these classes in the first place.

But let's be realistic, many parents are not providing enough info. for kids to make wise decisions and the ability to keep themselves safe. Here's a link that gives an idea of the misinformation that prevails here in Florida:
InsideEd: Florida attempts to overhaul sex education curriculum - Baltimore Sun reporters weigh in on news and issues in education - baltimoresun.com

[InformedConsent]

Originally Posted by rnc76

Perhaps if the children are taught about abuse at an early age, the children will know that they have people they can turn to and the abuse can be stopped, hopefully ending with the abuser in prison.

Children are taught about this as early as kindergarten in Illinois. The bill Obama supported would have mandated that in addition to teaching young children about potential predators and abusers, they would also have to receive instruction in the transmission and prevention of STI's. The language of the bill changed the STI instruction requirement from grades 6 through 12 to grades K through 12.

The bill was tabled. STI instruction remains at grades 6 through 12.

[Upstate Nancy]

Rediculous post--he wants age appropriate sex education. We're living in 2008, not 1888.

[eevee]

seems to be working in Sweden:

Sweden: Straight Facts About the Birds and Bees - US News and World Report

quote:

"Since 1956, sex education has been compulsory in Swedish schools, from the earliest grades through high school...The curriculum starts out clinically at around age 6, when children learn about anatomy, eggs, and sperm. From age 12 on, the topics lean more toward disease and contraception. The classes have a moral dimension, as well: Sex within loving relationships is stressed, as is gender equality.

The message seems to work: The rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease in Sweden are among the world's lowest. Sweden's teenage birthrate is 7 per 1,000 births, compared with 49 in the United States. Among 15-to-19-year-olds, reported cases of gonorrhea in the United States are nearly 600 times as great on a per capita basis."

of course in many aspects, America is far behind it's European counterparts

[HighlandsGal]

Originally Posted by jmarquise

we could go in circles forever with this, but what's the point. my final point is this. students are taught by teachers who teach out of textbooks. the teachers are government employees, and the textbooks are government approved. if you want to believe that the government isn't teaching the kids, then so be it.

I am a public school Health teacher and I don't use a textbook to teach my students about STDs and the like, I bring in speakers and teen parents and use real life examples. Reproductive body parts and whatnot, yes.