END OF SEMESTER!!

In this class I have not only learned so much, but have opened my eyes to many more perspectives of sex in general.  It was really good to hear other people's opinions and stories.  I was brought up to think one way and have never really taken a class that revolved around sex.  I just wanted to pick the subject that really impacted me the most to share more about.

So in this class we talked about Missouri law and how sex ed is taught and how early children first recieve the infromation.  There was also a blog that I read about schools having classes that about teenage pregnancies and why it shouldnt happen.  I didnt really get to share my opinions in class because I sort of just get so caught up on everyone elses stories.  I was brought up in a (very small) Catholic school and traditional (huge) Catholic family.  I went to church everyday and was brought up very strict.  I have basically been a "goody goody" child all of my life.  Never went against my parents wishes until college.  Sex ed was never really taught in my school.  Im sure I would have remembered it, being it was taboo to talk about.  In fourth grade we were given a class about men and female "private parts" as we called them, and after that there was nothing.  As Catholics we were to abstain from sex until marriage. END OF DISCUSSION.  Pretty stupid I know right?  Our small class actually got into really big trouble in 8th grade for some girl flashing a group of guys.  So in high school pretty much everyone I knew from grade school had been with multiple partners by sophmore year.  They went sex crazy.  A couple people got pregnant, and one even developed an STD.  I feel like if we would have had some type of mandatory class either in 8th grade or freshman year when everyones horomones were going crazy, these mistakes could have been prevented. 

In Missouri schools are not required by law to provide sex education, but if a school district chooses to offer such courses, the classes must include information about abstinence until marriage and prevention of HIV/AIDS and other STDs.  STD's are so common these days there cannot be enough protection.  HPV, cancer, STI's are so important to know about at an early age.  Not as a scare tactic, but for general knowledge.  Women and men need to know how to protect themselves and how dangerous these diseases can be.  Also the issue of pregnancies should come up and be talked about, but not necessarily watched on tv.  The shows kind of glamourize the life of a teenage mom.  It doesnt look easy, but I know they leave out ALOT.  Nine months plus cannot be accurately summed up in less than an hour.  So their should be classes to inform, not scare.  They should also include abortion and adoptions and other options when talking aobut pregnancies.  And mandatory classes, not optional would help (I think) with the teenage pregnancy issues today.

I know its a lot of rambling, sorry. Here are some links.
http://www.teen-aid.org/State_Resourses/State_Sex_Education_Laws.htm
http://www.sexetc.org/state/MO/  <<so much info!

- Danielle Brown

Teen Parenting Programs Get Real

"It's not necessarily a scare tactic, but in classrooms across Texas, and in a growing number of other states, schools are looking at two new programs that teach teens about the consequences of irresponsible sexual behavior — without either the controversial sex-education quotient or abstinence-focused programs, whose message, educators say, often falls on deaf ears" (USA Today). In the article titled, "Teen Parenting Programs Get Real" it explains how the state of Texas is putting together sex education programs. However, these programs are not the typical "don't have sex" or "use a condom" lecture but rather is focusing on the legal responsibilities, emotional toll and dollars-and-cents realities of life as a teen parent. I think this is a great idea that they are doing these programs because teens are going to have sex, teens are not going to use protection, and teens will get pregnant. These programs are here to share with you what responsibilities come with teen parenting and the emotional stress that comes with it. 

The approach represents an important new trend in an area that has been controversial and fraught with problems. And because these programs have shown such early promise, they are spreading across the country, as educators and state officials see in them a new way to target high teen birth rates in the USA. One program is called Parenting and Paternity Awareness (PAPA), and the other is No Kidding, a partnership between community groups that work with school districts.

"PAPA is addressing an unmet need for students, and it is significantly improving students' knowledge and attitudes in areas that are unique to the PAPA curriculum," the evaluation says. The No Kidding program includes three 50-minute sessions with personal stories from teen parents, as well as information about the legal and financial obligations related to paternity; presenters are paid $40 an hour as peer educators. There is even a Price Is Right-type exercise on the cost of baby items.

I think these programs would be so beneficial if more were started up across the country. It could leave a great impact on teens who are currently having unprotected sex. 

http://www.usatoday.com/LIFE/usaedition/2010-12-15-teenparents15_CV_U.htm