Dan,
Fair enough. In no specific order......
1. I would make sure that kids were aware of all the various
forms of STD's and exactly how they are and aren't contracted. There are many misconceptions about that. I would also make sure tht they knew it was absolutely IMPERATIVE to seek immediate medical attention if they even
have the smallest suspicion that they have contracted anything. The more immediate attention they recieve, they more help it does. Ignoring these things or hoping it goes away on it's own(which is unfortunately more common than you might think) can lead to very serious complications.
2. I would make sure they knew exactly how various contraceptives work, the fact that none of them are fail safe, and few of them prevent disease. In this vein, it IS relevant to teach that abstinance is the only true fail safe methodology, but I would teach this (and everything I mention here) without any moral valuations placed upon it.
The morality aspect should be left to the inndividual families since everyone's morality will be different anyway and the families have the right to practice their own morality
3. I would make sure they knew that if they do run into a problem such as pregnancy, or disease, or develop awareness that they were homosexual, that whatever fears they may have, it is not worth harming yourself over. I would direct kids to go to their parents and trust them, and if that is impossible to seek a trusted adult or counselor but to never despair to the point of harming themselves or taking their lives.
4. I would make sure they know about the biological impulses
that cause these feelings, and how it is normal to have them.
The goal of teaching the following is from the news release I posted the other day. Here is the relevant paragraph as far as I am concerned.
An annual European study tour by health professionals and
educators, led by Advocates for Youth, found the rates of HIV/AIDS and teen births drastically lower in Germany, France and the
Netherlands because of a practical and healthy attitude about sex. Unlike in the U.S., sexuality information is widely available to
young people in
those countries.
<<Studies by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization show that comprehensive sexuality education -- which teaches about both abstinence and contraception -- is the most effective sex education for young people. Those who receive this kind of education are more likely to begin having sex later in life and to use protection correctly and consistently when they do become sexually active.
Mark |
