So, who should provide sex education?

Who Should Teach It? 

Sex Education can be taught in a variety of contexts, which allows parents and teachers to have the opportunity to share the responsibility of teaching their children/students.

Guardians/ Parents: At home, parents and children can have simple conversations where issues, concerns, or questions are expressed. These conversations can begin early in the adolescent stage and continue through high school and beyond. Some children may feel comfortable talking to their mom and/or dad whereas others feel very embarrassed and prefer not to have these discussions. If this is the case, parents should not consider this as "there is nothing left to talk about". As parents, do not put off having these discussions or answering questions for your son/daughter because we do not want them to believe that sex is not important.

** As families, parents and children tend to watch television together. If there is a show on that references sex, take this opportunity to create a conversation with your son/daughter. Sometimes the media can be unrepresentative of the actuality of sex - Teen Mom, 16 & Pregnant, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, etc.

Educators: It is important that with any sex education program, the parents and the teachers work together. Parents need to be notified what is taught in the classroom setting, so that they can reinforce what has already been taught. School-based sex education can be effective because it provides accurate and adequate knowledge as well as enhances attitudes and behaviors of the students. Most programs are lesson-based, however, I feel that the students will be better engaged if the activities were hands-on, fun, and interactive. Guest speakers and trips will emphasize real-life applications within the program. I feel that the students need to be involved in the creation of a sex education program. This will increase the relevance and help reinforce the messages to their fellow peers.

** Parents, educators, and students need to work and learn together. We need to provide plenty of opportunities for questioning the messages that students receive from the media and advertisements as well as plenty of time for one-on-one discussions and questions.