> Adam writes:
> > I realize you're simply addressing the issue of abortion, but I
> > was reminded
> > of how often education is left out of the discussion by both
> sides here in
> > the US. To me, that is the most critical portion of *any* discussion of
> > reproductive rights.
Sex education should really be on a whole of life method. Even young kids
are interested in babies and where they, personally, came from.
We answered our kids' questions whenever they came up. Now they're in their
teens we still do, although the frequency of the questioning is much lower.
Our oldest daughter was 2 when Janine next fell pregnant. We took her along
to the first ultrasound so she was able to see her "new brother/sister" at
the same time we did. We explained what was happening - in terms a 2 year
old could deal with - and the doctor gave Seona her own ultrasound photo.
She kept that photo with her - still has it in fact - and would show it to
anyone who stood still long enough.
There is an excellent women's health book here "Everywoman", that we used to
drag out to show her the weekly/monthly progression of the foetus.
When she told my Mum all about the new baby to be, Mum commented that Seona
at 2 knew more about babies than Mum had at 16.
Daughter number 2 was treated exactly the same when our third child was
under construction. Our son (no 3) has perhaps missed that direct
involvement, but he's been kept up to date as friends and rellies have their
children.
Now, while we are most responsible for our children's sex ed, we also have
no problem with the school providing it. Frequently a child will more
readily believe what they hear from a teacher, even if their parent says the
same thing. The educational curriculum doesn't shy away from much here,
taking a year by year approach. Even in my day (1970s) we at least discussed
sexuality occasionally, as well as sex itself.
And their favourite TV programs - Home and Away, Judge Amy, etc - don't hide
teenage sex and the problems and joys involved. And of course, my lot have
grown up with very explicit AIDS etc commercials that are government funded.
And so many surveys have shown that the more educated about sex and
sexuality a child is, the:
* later they tend to start having sex
* more likely they are to use contraception
* less likely they are to have unwanted pregnancy
Why it is that hard core "right to lifers" also seem to fall into the group
most opposed to open sex education for children has always confused and
angered me. If anything, they should be out there promoting sex education,
with all options from celibacy on up, and particularly sex health to cut
down on the number of unwanted pregnancies.
Brett
