Ideally, parents. And if parents don't or can't, they have no right to complain about the standard of sex education provided by the State in schools.
It is absolutely NOT the job of the state to do these basic parenting things.
What I would like the Schools to do is teach a better understanding of LBGQT & all it's variants. Even in 2024, the ignorance & rudeness shown to them is a disgrace.
Ideally, parents. And if parents don't or can't, they have no right to complain about the standard of sex education provided by the State in schools.
It is absolutely NOT the job of the state to do these basic parenting things.
What I would like the Schools to do is teach a better understanding of LBGQT & all it's variants. Even in 2024, the ignorance & rudeness shown to them is a disgrace.
Such a difficult question. And every improvement has its own potential drawbacks.
Starting with "ideally, parents." Of course. Ideally. But it requires so many things to work well. Just to start:-
1. Parents. 2? 1? 2. Lots of parents have their own prejudices. From religious, to hatred of certain types, to tolerance in general provided its not their own kids 3. Need a close enough relationship to kids to enable it-and that is very rare. For a whole host of reasons-including the fact that part of becoming an adult needs to include making own choices
Then schools teaching a better understanding of LGBTQIA+.
Ideally, again, yes. But that is placing a massive responsibility on Teachers. Both from the sheer amount of knowledge, different skillsets. To inevitable clash with parents. To the problems relating to teachers own religious/personal beliefs. Expecting a regular, 50-yr-old Teacher to be able to deal with (say) the vexed question of Trans Rights/Responsibilities and what the LGB Alliance should/should not be doing is a nightmare.
For me, teaching relating to the whole LGBT thing should be a lot simpler. Short factual info, coupled with a message of tolerance and understanding. With possibly an agreed list of places to get further info. Without promoting, or denigrating, anything.
For me, the most important stuff that should be in the remit of teachers is rather different. Showing how the Internet has changed all the rules. The risks of sending inappropriate photos. The risks of revenge p0rn. Grooming.
Agree with @Essexphil here, especially the last two paragraphs.
The most important question not yet asked or answered is at what age do you do this?
I would assume it should be before before puberty but what age? 10, 8 ,6, 4? My own opinion is that we should let kids discover themselves a bit ( I don't mean sexually, but to develop their mental and reasoning skills ) before telling them how many different options there are with regards to sexuality etc. I would argue that 4, 6 and 8 year old are not mentally mature enough to understand the vagaries of all the different options that are out there now.
Teaching kids understanding and compassion for others is extremely important and should happen before the whole sex education process is even be attempted.
Agree with @Essexphil here, especially the last two paragraphs.
The most important question not yet asked or answered is at what age do you do this?
I would assume it should be before before puberty but what age? 10, 8 ,6, 4? My own opinion is that we should let kids discover themselves a bit ( I don't mean sexually, but to develop their mental and reasoning skills ) before telling them how many different options there are with regards to sexuality etc. I would argue that 4, 6 and 8 year old are not mentally mature enough to understand the vagaries of all the different options that are out there now.
Teaching kids understanding and compassion for others is extremely important and should happen before the whole sex education process is even be attempted.
You quite rightly raise another important issue/problem here.
I certainly don't have the "right" answer. Simply because there isn't one.
What I would say is that there often seems to be too much emphasis on the "right" time to deal with this. Whereas the reality must necessarily be that, like in all education, it should be a gradual thing. In exactly the same way as you don't teach all Maths at the same time. There is a time for addition, long division, and trigonometry.
A 4/6 year-old doesn't need to know everything. But tolerance needs to start early-a 6 year old with 2 Mums, or 2 Dads, needs to be able to invite friends over. To be like any other kid.
Ah never got sex education at school or home, if ah was lucky ah maybe got a **** at one of the older boys Mayfair mags and then ah worked it oot for maself.
Ah never got sex education at school or home, if ah was lucky ah maybe got a **** at one of the older boys Mayfair mags and then ah worked it oot for maself.
I've been trying to work out what the deleted word was, thanks for the update.
Comments
Ideally, parents. And if parents don't or can't, they have no right to complain about the standard of sex education provided by the State in schools.
It is absolutely NOT the job of the state to do these basic parenting things.
What I would like the Schools to do is teach a better understanding of LBGQT & all it's variants. Even in 2024, the ignorance & rudeness shown to them is a disgrace.
@Williams12
PS; I love these random questions you pepper us with, keep them coming please.
Starting with "ideally, parents." Of course. Ideally. But it requires so many things to work well. Just to start:-
1. Parents. 2? 1?
2. Lots of parents have their own prejudices. From religious, to hatred of certain types, to tolerance in general provided its not their own kids
3. Need a close enough relationship to kids to enable it-and that is very rare. For a whole host of reasons-including the fact that part of becoming an adult needs to include making own choices
Then schools teaching a better understanding of LGBTQIA+.
Ideally, again, yes. But that is placing a massive responsibility on Teachers. Both from the sheer amount of knowledge, different skillsets. To inevitable clash with parents. To the problems relating to teachers own religious/personal beliefs. Expecting a regular, 50-yr-old Teacher to be able to deal with (say) the vexed question of Trans Rights/Responsibilities and what the LGB Alliance should/should not be doing is a nightmare.
For me, teaching relating to the whole LGBT thing should be a lot simpler. Short factual info, coupled with a message of tolerance and understanding. With possibly an agreed list of places to get further info. Without promoting, or denigrating, anything.
For me, the most important stuff that should be in the remit of teachers is rather different. Showing how the Internet has changed all the rules. The risks of sending inappropriate photos. The risks of revenge p0rn. Grooming.
@Essexphil
Yes, fair comment, it's a very complex & nuanced problem.
This is far & away THE most important thing though....
"a message of tolerance and understanding"
Even on this little corner of the internet, we see a horrendous lack of understanding & empathy from a few posters.
The most important question not yet asked or answered is at what age do you do this?
I would assume it should be before before puberty but what age? 10, 8 ,6, 4? My own opinion is that we should let kids discover themselves a bit ( I don't mean sexually, but to develop their mental and reasoning skills ) before telling them how many different options there are with regards to sexuality etc. I would argue that 4, 6 and 8 year old are not mentally mature enough to understand the vagaries of all the different options that are out there now.
Teaching kids understanding and compassion for others is extremely important and should happen before the whole sex education process is even be attempted.
I certainly don't have the "right" answer. Simply because there isn't one.
What I would say is that there often seems to be too much emphasis on the "right" time to deal with this. Whereas the reality must necessarily be that, like in all education, it should be a gradual thing. In exactly the same way as you don't teach all Maths at the same time. There is a time for addition, long division, and trigonometry.
A 4/6 year-old doesn't need to know everything. But tolerance needs to start early-a 6 year old with 2 Mums, or 2 Dads, needs to be able to invite friends over. To be like any other kid.
https://mashable.com/article/online-sex-ed-resources?test_uuid=01iI2GpryXngy77uIpA3Y4B&test_variant=a