Let's talk about Sex Ed.: 'It has an effect ... they will have safe sex'
EUGENE, Ore. -- High school sexual education classes may not persuade teens to have safe sex after all.
For the past 25 years, two OSU professors have been studying sex education programs in schools across Oregon.
The professors found that some community and school programs can be counterproductive in stopping risky sexual behavior.
Marilyn Flick teaches human Sexuality at North Eugene High School. She said she disagrees with the study’s findings.
“It does have an effect … they will have safe sex.” Flick said.
The study was mainly focused on low-income areas and districts where sexual education programs are dropped due to budget cuts.
In Eugene, some schools do not require sex ed, and instead offer the course as an elective. Flick’s class is one of the alternative routes for high school kids to receive sexual education.
While her class is not a mandatory part of the high school curriculum, it remains a very popular class selection among students. Flick also said she thinks her class provides a rounded look at sexual health, where other courses have different focuses.
“They are more on the fitness side. and there's a teen wellness class. That is for ninth graders ... or they can take our child development class." Flick said.
In spite of all of North Eugene offering all of these classes, Flick said it is possible for a student to graduate without taking sexual education courses.
Always a controversial topic. I do believe there should be some warning classes on STD's, other than that, most people can figure things out with the assistance of their parents. I kind of wonder how people ever got along in the old days. How did we all get here?
@souptonuts: Many by accident....and a fair number of us got here as a result of alcohol use. If you have a November birthday, Valentine's Day might have something to do with it.
It would be ever so helpful if the article identified either the name of the study or the authors so one could go look at the study to judge whether it is accurate or whether the response by someone whose job depends on perceived success is accurate...oh well, that would be closer to journalism, I guess.
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Of course, not the findings some teachers expected. I love how this local teacher disputes a 20 year study at a credited university because it doesnât fit within HER parameters. I guess having an 'open mind' means never having to accept a view different than your own. Typical.
This subject falls on the parents responsibility, not the schools. Plus sex is apart of health so it should be integrated into the health classes anyways. This is the 21st century people sex shouldn't be a social stigma anymore. if parents refuse to teach their kids about sex and it falls on the schools to do it then don't give an opt-out if parents to pissy over it then that's where you tell them to do their job as a parent and teach and talk to THEIR kids about sex.
 @RC95Â
I think the public schools should mandate these classes. If parents were responsible for their children's sexual health and future children versus OHP and FHS then I would see your point. Unfortunately, when teens have babies WE pay for it! Therefore if WE can prevent (through education) it I think WE should. People are going to have sex, that's just our nature. Â People need to be educated about sex. Letting them find out on their own or simply hoping their parents will teach them is irresponsible. I'm 25 and I still run in to people my age who don't know about STDs, birth control etc. it's sad really. We have a responsibility to prepare these children for adulthood. What does that say about us when we don't arm them with basic sex knowledge that could protect them?Â