Sexual Education: Exploring Different Approaches
By Michael Wimmer
EDI 550/551 Psychology of Adolescent Students
School of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
June 17, 2009
Yesterday’s class was one which shed some light on a topic that I have felt uneasy about ever since I began working with adolescents. That topic is sexual education. It is a topic which I feel really has no perfect way to approach, but at the same time must be. One thing that I learned from the class discussion was that there are a few ways that have been put into practice that I feel have the potential for some positive results.
One of the concepts I really thought was effective dealt with starting the children as early as possible. Obviously kindergarten children do not need to learn about sexual education in detail, but at the same time there is something to be said for teaching them some differences so that they begin to have a better understanding. This could allow them to have more educated interaction with their peers. I also liked the idea of having elementary school children attend seminars with their parents. This way, the parents can have a direct understanding of what their children are going to be learning, and it allows them to be more involved in a subject that they have to deal with.
While I am still not sure I am comfortable with any set way to teach sexual education to today’s youth, I feel these two schools of thought are strong starts. We have to make sure that we as educators walk a fine line when dealing with this topic. Every child is going to react differently to something so sensitive, which is something that must be kept in mind. However, it is obviously important, so a plan must be put in place. This is a plan that I am more comfortable with.
Long Island University, C. W. Post
June 17, 2009
Yesterday’s class was one which shed some light on a topic that I have felt uneasy about ever since I began working with adolescents. That topic is sexual education. It is a topic which I feel really has no perfect way to approach, but at the same time must be. One thing that I learned from the class discussion was that there are a few ways that have been put into practice that I feel have the potential for some positive results.
One of the concepts I really thought was effective dealt with starting the children as early as possible. Obviously kindergarten children do not need to learn about sexual education in detail, but at the same time there is something to be said for teaching them some differences so that they begin to have a better understanding. This could allow them to have more educated interaction with their peers. I also liked the idea of having elementary school children attend seminars with their parents. This way, the parents can have a direct understanding of what their children are going to be learning, and it allows them to be more involved in a subject that they have to deal with.
While I am still not sure I am comfortable with any set way to teach sexual education to today’s youth, I feel these two schools of thought are strong starts. We have to make sure that we as educators walk a fine line when dealing with this topic. Every child is going to react differently to something so sensitive, which is something that must be kept in mind. However, it is obviously important, so a plan must be put in place. This is a plan that I am more comfortable with.
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