Astinence-Only Education?

[Thorne]

To the best of my knowledge the only STD you can get by touching is herpes. All the others you have to have sexual contact, including oral or anal. And the kids should informed of these matters.

And that's the real problem. How can you teach kids that oral or anal sex IS sex without informing them that oral and anal sex exist? How can you teach kids to protect themselves without telling them (or showing them) what to protect themselves against? Yet too many parents are terrified of letting their kids know that there IS such a thing as sex. Far better, they seem to think, that the kids shouldn't even know about it until after they're married. Until then, just pretend it doesn't exist.

That tactic doesn't seem to be working, does it?

[thir]

And that's the real problem. How can you teach kids that oral or anal sex IS sex without informing them that oral and anal sex exist? How can you teach kids to protect themselves without telling them (or showing them) what to protect themselves against? Yet too many parents are terrified of letting their kids know that there IS such a thing as sex. Far better, they seem to think, that the kids shouldn't even know about it until after they're married. Until then, just pretend it doesn't exist.

That tactic doesn't seem to be working, does it?

No, it doesn't. Teaching your kids about these matters is a parent obligation, IMO, just as so many other things you have to teach or prepare for.

As for the teaching the abstinence thing in the revolting manner described, I again wonder if it is possible to first make sex gross and then later accept it? Frankly, I find this kind of thing abusive.

[Thorne]

No, it doesn't. Teaching your kids about these matters is a parent obligation, IMO, just as so many other things you have to teach or prepare for.

I agree, except that there are some points of sexuality and biology that parents are seldom equipped to handle. The basics, sure, but some in-depth facts about reproduction might be better left to qualified teachers. Assuming that your school is willing to hire such teachers.

As for the teaching the abstinence thing in the revolting manner described, I again wonder if it is possible to first make sex gross and then later accept it? Frankly, I find this kind of thing abusive.

I agree completely. I've never understood how people can believe that gaining knowledge is wrong.