There are many things that sexual education did teach us in middle school but there are alot of things that were skimped on…
The normal curriculum claims to include topics on HIV/AIDS and STI prevention; birth control with an emphasis on abstinence; values around gender, sexual orientation, and sexual relationships; reproductive anatomy and physiology; and many more useful topics for teens to maintain their health throughout their relationship.
The 7th-grade lesson plan focuses on basic sex ed topics such as anatomy, healthy relationships, pregnancy and birth control, STI and HIV/AIDS prevention, and an introduction to sexual orientation.
The 8th-grade lesson plan builds upon the basic knowledge presented through the 7th-grade topics and explores the impact of being sexually active, sex in the media, building healthy relationships, and gender identity.
Birth Control
I remember from my educational journey the only birth control I was taught about was the pill and if you do your research you can really go into detail about what forms are good for you and others that just don’t work but first what are your options
- Birth Control Pills
- Plan B
- Female Condoms
- Implant (Arm Bar)
- IUD
- Condoms
- Tubal Ligation
- Emergency Contraception
- Depo-Provera Shot
- Vasectomy
- Spermicide
- Male Birth Control
Of course tubal ligation and vasectomy are not really in the cards to be talked about with 7th and 8th graders but honestly the other forms of birth control are where we can start, talk about the negative health effects that all birth control can have on the body and that all bodies are different so what works for your friends may not work for you. The effects that birth control has on mental health as well as body weight should be talked about in schools it might help girls with their body image.
Sexual Orientation
This was not taught when i was in middle school I learned that “boys like girls” and “girls like boys” but now it is being taught that you can like anyone and yes that is perfectly fine but don’t confuse the kids with if you’re born a boy you can be a girl if you feel like it. I understand the conversation if it comes up but I believe that is topic for them to figure out for themselves.
Abstinence
You already know schools led with this one, but they shouldn’t shame kids of course 7th and 8th graders should not be having sex just don’t tell them to wait until they are married so many people arern’t even getting married now a days so tell them it’s alright to have sex but you need to be mentally mature and physically ready.
Anatomy
The education system was spot on with the anatomy portion of the curriculum.
I do not have any complaints about this section.
Sex-Ed? Yes or No
You know considering everything the education system didn’t do all that bad if I was to teach a group of 12 year olds about balls and condoms I would struggle too they just need to go a little in depth about certain things so close to yes but not quite yet.
Blog by Julez for Style’s Rebel Radio
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