What do you expect from sexual education?

Question

Hey guys! I just wanted to know if people think they had a decent sex education at school and how they think it could improve?

I go to a Catholic school and sex ed at my school is really unsatisfactory and taboo.

We "learnt" about sex in year 8, but we didn't learn about any forms of contraception or about STDs. Only that "Catholics are only allowed to have sex when they want to have a child after they're married".
I didn't even know what a condom looked like until this year... and I'm 16 and admittedly have lived a very "sheltered" life and my boyfriend tells me I have an "innocent mind".

I never had "the talk" with my mum because we're both too awkward so I had to learn about safe sex and STDs from my boyfriend. Luckily though, he was allowed to lean about it and we go to the same school!

Answer

What I want from sex ed:

Teachings about sexual/gender/romantic orientations.

Contraception-where all sexualities are considered.

STI prevention, symptom spotting and  what treatment to use and where to get it.

Parenting classes.

Lessons on the body and information on the sex organs + what happens during puberty.

Consent lessons.

And Sex Ed. should be taught from ages 8-18.

Answer

I had really really extensive sex education at my Canadian public school. We learned about every different type of contraception and how well they worked, we learned all about anatomy, we watched a LOT of birthing videos and learned all about that. We had a transgender man visit and teach us about being trans etc. I'm really thankful for all of it. This was probably taught over grades 9-11.

Answer

I learned about sex in 8th grade in Catholic school. They pushed STDs and abstinence until marriage only. We had to draw STDs from a hat and do a big presentation with photos. You can never unsee some of those photos! I put off sex for so long because I was terrified of STDs. I made all my sex partners get tested for STDs beforehand, lol! I don't know if I necessarily hate the STD emphasis. It worked to make me smart on sexual safety. I just wish people explained contraception as well as how getting pregnant actually works. I didn't know sex had to happen particularly during ovulation until I was TTC. I also didn't know that your chances of TTC was so low each month. I thought that even a drip of cum at any point in the month inside you was totally going to get you pregnant. I think that is what they taught to keep us from having sex.

Answer

I went to public schools across two districts and received surprisingly thorough sex ed ages 9-11. A lot of it focused on developmental changes, but also explained male plumbing and forms of birth control. Sex as a practical matter wasn't a big focus, but it wouldn't be with an audience of 4th graders. I don't think masturbation came up either...but this was like 20 years ago now, and we've come a long way in terms of that dialogue. Let's not get crazy.

I also received a rigorous sex education from reading 17 magazine and my mom's discarded issues of Cosmo. In hindsight, 17 was actually pretty helpful. Cosmo just had weird sex tips that have continually failed to elevate my bj game throughout my adult life.

Answer

I went to Catholic Primary & Secondary schools, and all I got was ' How to make a baby...'

That's it. No pregnancy prevention, sexualization, rape culture, gender identity, etc etc.

I went to high school about 8 years ago, so its not like it was the freakin' stone age. Bug still, any questions that I had would never get answered and I had to go and find out on my own; Thankfully before I got into anything I couldn't deal with.

My child will be taught from as young as possible, what/when/who/how. I don't care if their school teaches them the same stuff, double the learning! If they don't however, I want to make sure that my kids will never be in terrible positions.

Answer

I went to public school, my health class wasn't good but it wasn't bad. We focused a lot on STDs but we did briefly talk about contraception, although we didn't learn how to put a condom on or learn any facts about the different methods and how safe each one is. I think sex ed should emphasis that whatever choice you make is okay and the abstinence only programs that focus on judging women who have sex need to go. They should also include information about same-sex sexual experiences. Focusing on questions the students have is also good, and making the conversation comfortable to let the students know that they shouldn't be ashamed or embarrassed about sex, and should be comfortable discussing their wants with their partner because sex should be a pleasurable experience for everyone involved.

Answer

We had sex ed from 5th-7th grade, excluding anatomy and health sciences in highschool. All fear tactics. 90% talks about rape, disease, men are evil, you're evil, pregnancy ruins everyones life, blah blah blah. 10% period talk. 0% male anatomy, sex can be positive, or emotions.

Answer

My school nurse used to come in every year, she told us about the different contraceptive methods, STDs/STIs, how to put a condom on, pregnancy etc 
It used to be quite brief, but well explained. 
This is in the UK by the way.

What do you expect from sexual education?

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