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Delta, if you try and discuss explicit sexual material with your young children- then you can be reported to CPS. Yes, I agree that children learn about "relationships" just by watching- in the family, but there really isnt any way for parents to discuss some of this stuff with impunity. And furthermore- I dont really know all that is going on today with the kids. I am sure discussions come up in this class about "what is actually going on". The problem is the "Internet". Porn is all over. The porn industry can't even make money anymore- because there are so many "home movies" posted everywhere. All those middle schoolers with phones- probably can access porn also. My kids have no phones- and aren't going to have phones until they go to college. But, as a parent, it's a loosing battle. The kids will seek it out, and they will find it somehow...
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Julie, that sounds like a stretch to me.... discussing sex with your children leading to Child Protective Services being involved. While the phrase "can be reported" is pretty loose - anyone can report anything about anybody- do you have some knowledge I don't?
Assume the best and ask questions.
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The reality is that many (most?) parents do not educate their children to any degree, or at all, in human sexuality. Very certainly there are few parents who teach to the depth of the subject as outlined by Carol earlier. This situation has clearly negative consequences. I was the teaching assistant for a summer session psychology course in human sexuality in 1973, taking questions in class and doing office sessions with the students. I was appalled by the sheer ignorance of these college students regarding basic sexual facts. One of the scariest that I remember was the widespread belief among the students that a woman could not get pregnant the first time. More worrisome really was the wall of mixed extreme shyness and silliness that the student's exhibited regarding sex that frequently got in the way of learning. A sort of cultural artifact from our culture's history of prudery, IMO. I'm all for a comprehensive sex ed program that covers the whole field, even if some students and parents are uncomfortable. I'm happy that the DOE is encouraging this.
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If a small child goes into school talking about explicit sexual information, they will be questioned, and asked to use dolls to detail their knowledge. IF they have a lot of knowledge- then an investigation can be started by the elementary school, police, CPS- to determine if the child has been sexually abused. Of course, this is all discretionary, but I would never take this chance.
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quote:
Any parent who expects their children to learn about sex while in school is doing their children, and the community, no good.
Certain things should be taught to children before they enroll in any school.
I'm going to agree with Canuck on this one.
Any parent who wants their "precious little snowflake" to be "protected" from all the "bad ideas" in the world should have to post a bond covering the cost to society.
I have no problem with my tax dollars funding education, provided that said education contains actual useful knowledge rather than religious indoctrination.
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I think I recall that even allowing children to "accidently" access porn on a homecomputer via the internet- can be considered "childabuse/neglect.
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quote:
Originally posted by Frank
Rob, my point is,,,if McDermott is correct, and i stress correct, in his assertions in the article referenced in the op, I'm of the opinion money of the sort, $800,000 for 1700 students, could be better spent by the doe...with the prevalence and ease of access (by anyone) of porn on the net, i ask you, how much more is there to learn on the subject?
You have GOT to be kidding me. Frank. Just because YOU have a moral disconnect with programs like this does not make them wrong.
We worry about sexualizing the innocent. Guess what guys, it's already happening long before middle school. From little girls getting play makeup kits in first grade to seeing Miley Cyrus on the tube to hearing and viewing a society that objectifies women all of the damn time....you just can't logically claim that kids are innocent anymore, at least not as late as 11-13 (unless they are living in Bob McDermott's lock and key presumably religious household).
I am currently student teaching in kindergarten and already hear my kids using words like "sexy" (!). Kids actually have an awareness of sexuality LONG before middle school - many see things on TV, emulate what they see (uh, "playing house", anyone?), and so on. A 6th grader in my Georgia middle school got pregnant. There are kids everywhere that start having sex long before they have the information and the resources to protect them. Kids are curious about sex - sorry! It's try! No amount of trying to undo the very nature of biology and kids hitting puberty in elementary school (it's starting earlier due to hormones in dairy and better nutrition, among other factors) will change this. Sticking your fingers in your ears and saying "la la la" because this is icky to you is just ignorant.
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Here's part of the American Psychological Association's description of child sexual abuse, minus a few clinical details:
quote:
There is no universal definition of child sexual abuse. However, a central characteristic of any abuse is the dominant position of an adult that allows him or her to force or coerce a child into sexual activity...Child sexual abuse is not solely restricted to physical contact; such abuse could include noncontact abuse, such as exposure, voyeurism, and child pornography. Abuse by peers also occurs.
Notice that no where is "knowledge" of sexuality mentioned, much less "attempts by parents to educate their children about sex." Abuse in general is all about power and control over others, not attempting to pass on honest information. Having been briefly in a CPS role (it's definitely a difficult field of work), I think Julie's assertions that children who have "information" about sex will be targets of investigation are off the mark considerably. That said, knowing that some people in positions of authority may be hypersensitive to sexual issues and perhaps not well educated in sex themselves, inappropriate reporting could occur.
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...and just because certain things SHOULD be taught does not mean they ARE!
Schools exist for a variety of reasons. It is not just ABC's and 123's anymore. Schools teach children pro-social behavior, manners, the meaning of community, how to collaborate, how to problem-solve, etc etc etc. So many dysfunctional, and even many normal, households in the US don't touch sex with a ten foot pole. Frank, if you are even a parent, how did YOU approach the sex talk with kids?
Schools teaching sex ed. is necessary. Look at the states with less sex ed - there is more teen pregnancy, more STIs. The Christian private high school in my county has the HIGHEST rate of teen pregnancy in the local area of at least 10 high schools. They do not teach any sex ed.
I'd also like to know how many parents even have the information and resources to accurately teach their kids about sex. Many of them may not know all that much themselves, or have a vast scope of knowledge to share with their children in a scientifically accurate way.
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quote:
Originally posted by unknownjulie
If a small child goes into school talking about explicit sexual information, they will be questioned, and asked to use dolls to detail their knowledge. IF they have a lot of knowledge- then an investigation can be started by the elementary school, police, CPS- to determine if the child has been sexually abused. Of course, this is all discretionary, but I would never take this chance.
This behavior alone is not cause for a teacher/school to call CPS. There has to be reasonable proof. Kids knowing a lot about sex might set off alarm bells for some teachers, just like a kid saying "My daddy hit me" (true story, a kid in my class who also makes up all kinds of stuff on a whim) - but generally is there is not further evidence like a bruise or other strange behaviors, CPS will actually not investigate.
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