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Alaska students demand sex ed. in schools

  2. Sex and Love
  3. mcristina
    • Megan Holland, The Anchorage Daily News
    • wrote this
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According to a statewide study, 63 percent of Alaskan high school seniors in 2007 reported having sex. And, while Alaska has about average U.S. rates on teen pregnancies, in 2006 birth rates for Alaskan and U.S. teens rose for the first time since 1991.

Anchorage follows an "abstinence-plus" model, taught in the eighth grade, that parents can opt their kids out of. The program grew out of a task force a decade ago that included a doctor, nurse, religious leaders and educators. It stresses abstinence as the only way to guarantee protection against sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. Teachers also teach kids about what to do if they don't choose abstinence, Vaissiere said.

Nobody is keeping track of what is being taught where in Alaska on the topic. The variance appears to be wide. But it seems most public schools in the state teach some form of "abstinence-plus." Some invite outside groups to present either side of the controversial topic, like an abstinence-only advocate one day followed by a member of Planned Parenthood on another.
mcristina

7 responses // Alaska students demand sex ed. in schools

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    I have a hard time believing that some parents don't want the schools to teach this O.O I mean honestly, they should have it mandatory for all schools throughout the nation but have an opt-out for parents who don't want their kids to be taught this stuff, but that is just my opinion. in any case something needs to be done if it has gotten to the point where students are asking for more information. Well that's my two cents.

    figalmighty
    1 response to this
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    I think sex education needs to be mandatory. And not simply "abstinence only" education. When people become sexually mature, and that happens before the kid graduates high school, believe me, they are going to become curious and want to experiment. It's a natural part of becoming an adult, and shouldn't be shunned or made to be dirty or wrong. And we should teach our children about safe sex practices. It's the only way to keep them safe.

    jbone1983
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    I agree with everyone's opinions above. I've heard the stories of kids as young as 10 or 12 having sex. Do they even know what to do at that age????

    Education is key.

    ScratchyPants
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    I guess the kids calling for Sex Ed in Alaska are the ones who don't have mums who'll pretend to be pregnant then look after their kids as if they were their own.

    LindseyIndigo
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    Sex education in school should be a part of the curriculum but parents need to act responsibly and continue that teaching at home. Introduce them to good books on the subject and encourage them to ask questions.

    As with all things that adolescents face, get through to them parent 101 is never use the word "don't" because you just send them running to that very thing.

    asteroid
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    Thanks for all your feedback. I'm glad to see i'm not the only one who thinks there is something wrong with the way parents and schools take on the subject of sex. Thankfully these kids are asking for progress because this society has been backlashing(if that is a word) too much

    mcristina

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