Quote:
Originally Posted by Bristles
Totally disagree with you AMK1977,
A childs innocence is not in question here. What is in question is when a child ask's a question it should be honestly answered and then move on but that doesn't happen the question is brushed aside under the carpet and then it leaves doubt and eventually becomes an issue because adults have made it an issue.
What is so wrong about answering a childs question honestly? it is part of growiung up is it not? hence why when I was in Denmark why my British friend acted like a bafoon and it was of no interest to me whatsoever (please read my previous remark with regard to being in Denmark in 1970) all the tangents that you have deviated off to have no bearing on this issue, the issue is do you answer any questions a child ask's during growing up or do you brush it under the carpet and avoid telling them the truth and leave it for someone else to do YOUR job or for a child to find the possible answers on toilet walls? I have always educated my children and it's perhaps my children that have educated many others.
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Perhaps we are not at completely different ends of the spectrum on this issue, although it wasn't evidently clear that you were referring to answering a childs direct question in your original post. "Educating" a child is a broad statement that can be interpretted in different ways. Yes, if your child asks you a direct question, I agree that it should be answered by the parent in an appropriate manner and then move on. The most important factor is that the parent can judge for themselves the level and manner of information given to the child. The child is obviously curious and has come to you for an explanation, which is another important factor. Ignoring the child is not the way to go.
What I take issue with is the subject being taught in primary schools to very young children that are not ready for it or have no need for it. They're babies and do not need to know the full workings of sexual intercourse, STD's, contraceptives, pregnancy, homosexual relationships, hetrosexual relationships etc, etc. They should be playing. developing social skills, learning to read, write and do math, not being forced to learn where an adult male puts his penis.
I was taught sex education it in secondary school at the age of 11/12. Then, your body is changing. Hair is growing in places where it didn't before and girls begin to develop breasts and some may have started their menstral cycle. At that age, children should be taught why their bodies are altering. There is a physical need for that information.
Introducing children to sex at such a young age in schools when they are not ready for it and won't be needing the information for the best part of 10 years is not necessary. It should be down to parents to teach their children, as and when they feel their child is ready, or if their child preempts them and asks. The fact that sex education has been taught to younger and younger children for the past two decades and we have resulting high levels of teen pregnancy just gives credence to the notion that young children should be left to their innocence, rather than making them aware of something that they need not be made aware of.
12-12-10, 04:50 PM
