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