We Can Work It Out - Politics & Philosophy | Page 57 | Fab Forum | The Beatles Bible

Starr Shine? said
Maybe he took a nap.

  

Ah come on SS? When you’re 11 and someone keeps saying ‘penis’ and ‘vagina’, it’s the funniest thing in the world. 

As regards the question, I think there’s a problem nowadays with people from cultural or religious backgrounds where certain facts of modern day society aren’t accepted (for example recently a Birmingham primary school which was talking about homosexuality on a ‘how to challenge homophobia’ programme, recently had 600 Muslim students withdrawn from school that day. It is not only Muslims though, and of course, there are Muslims (like there were in my school) who are cool with learning that gay, and trans people actually exist, and deserve to be treated respectfully.

My own personal experience with sex ed in the Irish education system is woeful. We were shown a video (which I can link you to if you like in all it’s glory) when we were 12 which talked about periods (I watched it again last year for the lols and I was surprised they suggested tampons as a way of dealing with your period because, you know, you obviously lose your virginity when you use tampons), sex (only when you’re married of course), and basics of female, and male anatomy. Now a big problem with this is, I had friends who had had their periods when they were 10, and by the time I was 12 I’d say 3/4 of the girls had got theirs, so very late timing.

When I was 13, in my first year of secondary school, we had ANOTHER class where they talked to us about the mystery of periods when all of my friends had theirs (bar one lucky soul who didn’t start until 14). A tiny bit about sex and that was it. We were also separated from the lads, because you know, guys should be completely oblivious to what periods are like.

Then when I think I was around 15-16 we had another sex talk but it was once again the biological aspects about it, I don’t think we were even told about contraceptives bar the, “come on lads, don’t forget to wear a condom”. But we weren’t shown them or how to put them on because….????

I know at the minute the government are revising the awful sex education we get here but it needs to be way more expanded on what is taught because once you’ve left school, you’re on your own, and a lot of the time teens end up getting their info on sex from porn- which is….not accurate.

I think that puberty talk should be compulsory for both boys and girls from the age of 9, and you should talk about EVERYTHING with them. Not just girls have a vagina and guys have a penis. Girls get periods. There is a lot more about the female and male anatomy than is explained in your typical sex ed class.

At 11-12 is a suitable time to learn about love, and sex. Learning about love is just as important as learning about sex. Here you could talk about how it’s just not man loves woman but there are other relationships that are out there, and feelings that you might currently be having or may have in the future are fine, and totally normal (within reason, obviously). Learning about the importance of the word ‘no’, and being confident in saying you don’t consent if you’re in an uncomfortable situation is something you should be teaching 4 or 5 year olds once they start school.

14 you should be thought more about contraceptives, and what options are available to you if contraceptives fail you. The unrealistic aspects of porn should also be discussed at the age.

I strong believe when you’re 16 or 17 and leaving school that there should be classes taught to both lads, and girls, on fertility, miscarriages, in-depth pregnancy discussion, and raising a child. They are things a lot of people don’t learn about until it happens to them, and even if you had the slightest of information beforehand it would be a great help.

I don’t think parents should be allowed to withdraw their child from classes such as these. No matter how much you want your little angel to stay 8, and always be perfect, and lovely. It’s vital that children, and teenagers are equipped with skills that they will need to face opportunities and challenges in our modern day society, and as much as you want to protect your wee lamb from the fact that there are ‘dirty’, ‘immoral’ things out there, unfortunately you’ll just have to accept that it’s not the 1950’s anymore, and casual-sex, queer folk, and bodily functions actually exist.

QuarryMan said
Couldn’t have said it better, ASJ . The system in England was marginally better than what you’ve described, but still far from perfect. As a bi person there is SO MUCH that I wish I’d been told. 

  

It’s always been a weird desire of mine to form a company that goes around to schools doing proper age-appropriate sex-ed classes, that actually go into detail about normal bodily functions, and different things that you will experience as a young person. I feel to have kids passing through an education system and not knowing that you don’t pee through your vagina (a very common example) is appalling, and downright shameful. 

I know teachers can find it embarrassing talking to their pupils, about stuff like sex but it just further creates an environment that bodies are disgusting, you should keep your problems to yourself, and that sex overall, is something you never, ever do unless you have that ring on your finger :/ . 

The segregation of girls and boys is also something that really annoys me, when it’s 9 then yes that’s fine, it’s quite uncomfortable to be talking about your anatomy, and changes you are going to go through but the amount of lads I’ve known, that know practically nothing about periods, who are embarrassed to be seen buying pads or tampons for their girlfriend or girl friends is ridiculous. The same thing about girls learning about erections and wet dreams (although that did get a big laugh when we were 12, so sorry lads), it’s unfamiliarity that makes things awkward to discuss, and it eventually can lead to dislike or even disgust, if you’re not told those things are normal when you’re 11.

Parents who think they can teach their kids all of this themselves, I applaud them, but their child still shouldn’t be taken out of the mainstream education as how are the teachers to know if the facts the parents are given them are right?

I’m a complete loser that doesn’t have Netflix, I don’t watch an incredible amount of telly and I don’t really like watching series. 

I record stuff I would like to watch (which is mostly documentaries) on the television and get around to it when I’ve free time.

However, it’s good to see that shows like that are being produced!