Lately there has been a great deal of debate regarding sex education in schools. The New York Daily news reports that NYC parents and educators have been having a very difficult time determining what is appropriate to teach children of both middle and high school age. Many people are under the impression that sex ed will open the door to promiscuity, while others believe education is a key tool in the battle against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Recently, National Public Radio’s Talk of the Nation spoke to Nora Gelperin, director of training at Answer, an organization that trains people on how to teach all kinds of sexual education programs, about what kids across the country are actually learning about in their sex ed classes. Gelperin said that in the end, it’s up to each district to decide how to interpret their state’s laws on this subject.
“The policies really range. Only about 35 states mandate comprehensive sexuality education or HIV-STD prevention. Some of them don’t require it at all, so it’s left up to the discretion of the local district or actually sometimes to teachers,” said Gelperin.
Sexual education is a controversial subject, but the one thing most people can agree on is that teachers and parents have a responsibility to do all they can to make sure their kids understand the dangers of not practicing safer sex.
Tags: sex education, sexually transmitted diseases, STDs
