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The Forum > Article Comments > Taking a reality check: young people and sex. > Comments

Taking a reality check: young people and sex. : Comments

By Anne Mitchell, published 21/3/2005

Anne Mitchell argues that a consistent sex education policy is vital throughout all schools in Australia

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This article proposes that there be more sex education in schools, but how much should occur within the family?

Not mentioned (or perhaps the term “family” is now too uncomfortable to talk about, and education systems do not like to talk about “family” anymore).

Nor is it mentioned as to “why” adolescents are undertaking sex at a younger age? Is this because their world now has sex thrown at them from every angle, and they become curious?

Also how much of this sex has romance attached, or are the young carrying out sex like some type of expected or mechanical act.

Not mentioned either, but would be relevant.
Posted by Timkins, Monday, 21 March 2005 11:28:21 AM
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In response to timkins; a great deal of sex education should occur within a family, however configured. And no, I dont think the concept of family is no longer mentioned in schools.

And as to why do young peole engage in sex mechanically or otherwise; I would suggest because it is there. Just like it always has been. Restrictions on sexual activity have always been somewhat arbitrary, a bit like road rules.
Posted by inkeemagee, Monday, 21 March 2005 12:02:50 PM
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Inkeemagaee,

I think that there are more questions unanswered than answered in this article. The author mentions that the avg age of sexual intercourse has fallen from 19 to 16, but where will this stop? 13..10..7 ?

Most of these articles on sex education overlook the fact that sex is being sold through the media. Sex is now highly commercialised, and being targeted at people of a young age.

From the article “Buying into sexy: the sexing up of Tweens” at …http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/money/sexy/index.html

“When you were nine, what did you want? A Barbie doll? A train set?
These days, young boys and girls are hungry for something else: padded bras and flirting tips, video games with bikini-clad babes and music videos that feature plenty of sexual innuendo. “

The same is happening in Australia, with very young girls modelling clothes for much older women. Sex is being sold extensively through teenage magazines, as a part of fashion and image, and we have magazines such as “Girlfriend” with articles from “Are you ready for Romance” to “Are you ready for Sex”

http://www.girlfriend.com.au/display.cfm?ObjectID=3FA0831F-456A-4B74-8C08C95121A761E0

Some of these web sites such as “Girlfriend” are now some of the most popular web sites for young people in the country, but I doubt whether any sex education program will be all that effective with such an onslaught from such media to commercialise and exploit sex.

Most of this commercialisation of sex and young people is coming from women’s media (where most of the staff are female), but unfortunately I don’t hear of any government-funded women’s organisation opposing it.

Unfortunately, males opposing it will of course be labelled misogynistic, homophobic, fundamentalist, ignorant, sex obbessed, GBs etc,etc,etc.

Problem that.
Posted by Timkins, Monday, 21 March 2005 1:46:00 PM
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The Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society - this says it all. The priorities are, excuse the term, arse-about!

If we, as a society, set guidelines (regardless if everyone follows them) for family life we have a chance of getting people to exercise a healthy reception or outright rejection of the proposition.

If we just say 'sex will happen' and as a society ignore shaping or restricting behaviour in society then, as has been stated, forget red lights & 'Stop' signs - put that pedal to the floor baby!

The outcome is the same. Why regulate driving more than sex? Neither is safe if we abandon reasonable guidelines and outcomes.
Posted by Reality Check, Monday, 21 March 2005 2:01:29 PM
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I thought this article was the most coherent, informed and lucid on the topic so far and applaud the author. Sex education should be taught in the home - that's a given - but the quality of that sex ed will vary from household to household. I conducted my own survey and most respondents agreed that sex education is poor and should be improved. Open communication with parents tends to DECREASE at the time of puberty, so expert advice given in school would be a safeguard. Reality Check, the real world is as it is. Some things have changed in modern society - sure, but some things have been a constant through the ages. Some kids will fool around, some won't. The ones that don't, usually have a sense of morality that is taught to them at home - or they make their own mind up about morality and abstain anyway. The variables are too numerous. Quality sex education would cover morality and emotions, not just the nuts and bolts of sex. It makes sense. Try not to freak out so much.
Posted by Rose C, Monday, 21 March 2005 2:44:47 PM
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Sex education should be taught in the home? I question that given that we usually don't teach maths, politics or ancient history in the home but invest money in educational institutions in order that children are taught appropriately. And to a consistent standard (hopefully the best).

Now I know people don't get excited over the teaching of maths compared to sex education but the point is that maths teaching, left in the hands of even the most well meaning parents, would be unlikely to achieve uniform and suitable outcomes.

I certainly don't all the answers on this one but if we are aiming for comprehensive sex education with the most up to date information and research, then I think it has to be primarily the education system's responsibility here.
Posted by DavidJS, Monday, 21 March 2005 3:05:27 PM
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