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I'm sure there are some 14 yr olds who don't have sexual thoughts or much curiosity, everyone matures at a different rate and not all kids think the same. But on average they are familiar, and it's to the average and not the exception that we teach. It's always been that way and always will be.
Who measures and determines what the "average" is for each grade level ?
I haven't heard of any surveys or tests being given to the kids on their level of knowledge about sex and then curriculum designed based on the "average".
The book is not about sex. It is about a teen growing up on a reservation, surrounded by extreme poverty and alcoholism. It's wonderfully written, Sherman Alexie has an almost lyrical style. It is the kind of thing that should be read in high school since it makes you think and sparks discussion. Kids who are growing up facing dysfunction in their surroundings can relate, and kids who live idyllic lives start to get a sense of some parts of the world outside their paradise. Plus the protagonist as wicked sense of humor, so the book is also funny while dealing with serious subject matter.
If this was assigned in 5th grade I would totally agree, but high school? 14 is to old to expect " preservation of innocence". Anyone who has made it through the first couple of years of middle school has had an earful already. That ship has sailed.
Then why are R-rated movies still at 17 years old restriction ?
There's no consistency here.
There's one set of rules for schools and another set for real life.
I was working with a group of 7th graders recently, so that would be 12 and 13 year-olds, and they were talking very openly about masturbating (it was appropriate for the environment, before everyone has a hissy fit).
There really are parents that put safety locks on their computers and monitor what their kids are looking at.
All I know is 40 years ago there was not much teen pregnancies in school. We had maybe one girl drop out because she got pregnant. Now look at what is happening. The proof is in the pudding.
Call us prudes or sexually repressive but I will take that over what is going on now any time. Single mothers, kids growing up without fathers in the home and the family generally falling apart.
Single Mothers have zero to do with issues with teen pregnancy.
Let's leave us out of the blame game here, huh?
You can monitor and censor all you want, kids will get curious and do things...even if you don't "allow" it.
Don't live with your head in the sand.
And in 1968, I was the product of a teen pregnancy...teens have been getting pregnant since the beginning of time.
Back then the girls were usually sent to a maternity home...so that's why there were pregnancies you never knew about.
Hormones are a powerful thing...it's up to the parents to teach them how to handle the temptations and protect themselves....not run from it.
There's a right way for young teens to learn about their bodies and sexuality. Is learning 'how to' perform sexual acts from that particular book appropriate ? I doubt it.
I don't think anyone really believes a book like this is how they learn about it.
Books that have killing and brutality in them in abundance are taught in schools without a word from the general public. But add just a smidgen of sex and all hell breaks loose. We are a nation of uptight prudes and paranoid mother hens!
Books that have killing and brutality in them in abundance are taught in schools without a word from the general public. But add just a smidgen of sex and all hell breaks loose. We are a nation of uptight prudes and paranoid mother hens!
It wasn't 1950 in 1950. Mayberry never existed anywhere but on a studio set.
I'm truly convinced that most people in this nation have confused TV with reality.
WOW. Who the hell said anything about Mayberry and where did all of that come from? Of course sex existed in 1950 but obviously the internet did not and most things sexual just didn't get talked about.
WOW. Who the hell said anything about Mayberry and where did all of that come from? Of course sex existed in 1950 but obviously the internet did not and most things sexual just didn't get talked about.
So in your opinion, is it better to just "not talk about it" - and then turn a blind eye as they experiment with sex, while learning the facts on their own? Doesn't sound like a great plan to me, if that's what you are suggesting.
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That ship has sailed.
