Sex Ed for 8 Year Olds?

Calvin · Apr 25, 2010

Today's front page of the Toronto Sun takes direct aim at Premier McGuintry for his half baked idea about teaching 8 year olds things like sexual orientation. This government is so completely and utterly adrift, one can only wonder who is giving advice to the top brass these days.

Thankfully the religious groups brought enough pressure to bear that the premier did a backflip and suddenly no longer supports teaching grade 3 students about sex. Unfortunately that probably means he won't take political heat for this stupidity in the polls.

Dirk · Apr 25, 2010

*shrugs* Have to learn sometime, but in all honesty, I don't remember giving a thought about porking anyone when I was that age.

Calvin · Apr 25, 2010

Dirk said:
*shrugs* Have to learn sometime, but in all honesty, I don't remember giving a thought about porking anyone when I was that age.

What age does sex education start in Germany Dirk? I'd imagine the influence of the Catholic church would be particularly strong in Germany given the Pope himself is German. Does that mean the topic is mostly 'hush, hush' in Germany?

Dirk · Apr 25, 2010

Calvin said:
What age does sex education start in Germany Dirk? I'd imagine the influence of the Catholic church would be particularly strong in Germany given the Pope himself is German. Does that mean the topic is mostly 'hush, hush' in Germany?

I don't remember what age exactly I had sex education. I think it's legislated that it must be taught. It's something that's taught very seriously, and we had the whole kaboodle. Homosexuality, biology, contraception, etc. Emphasis on the contraception. Extremely important. This was the 90s, the law may have changed since then.

Also, in regards to the pope, remember that Germany is predominantly Lutheran. (And i'm Jewish - but nonreligious).

David · Apr 26, 2010

Teaching to this to 6th graders and up I'm okay with but an 8 year old? My idea of a girlfriend at that age was someone you hung out with, hugged, kissed on the cheek and called on the phone. Dating and certainly sex weren't on my mind.

el canadiano · Apr 28, 2010

Being a fellow Ontarian, you should know that I have my own problems with McGuinty too. I don't really mind teaching responsible sex when you're young. I find it a shame that guys my age lose their virginity before entering high school.

Dirk · Apr 28, 2010

el canadiano said:
Being a fellow Ontarian, you should know that I have my own problems with McGuinty too. I don't really mind teaching responsible sex when you're young. I find it a shame that guys my age lose their virginity before entering high school.

Does that happen much? How old are you (if you don't mind my asking)?

el canadiano · Apr 28, 2010

I'm 17. I did my first few sex ed lessons at around 11 or 12, which I think is likely the right time to teach it.

Dirk · Apr 28, 2010

el canadiano said:
I'm 17. I did my first few sex ed lessons at around 11 or 12, which I think is likely the right time to teach it.

Isn't that when puberty starts anyway? (11/12, i mean). Seems a good point to me. I don't remember when i had sex education, but i do remember they were very thorough. People took it very seriously. I don't know if it's changed by now, in Germany, i'm 28.

Calvin · Apr 29, 2010

Dirk said:
Isn't that when puberty starts anyway? (11/12, i mean). Seems a good point to me. I don't remember when i had sex education, but i do remember they were very thorough. People took it very seriously. I don't know if it's changed by now, in Germany, i'm 28.

What's the situation with legalized brothels in Germany Dirk? Is it true that these places exist, and that if you go and pay and have sex with a woman who works there - there is nothing law enforcement can do about it because it is legal now? My personal view is that Canada should do the same (if Germany is doing it), because what two or more consenting adults do in the privacy of their own homes is really their own business.

Wouldn't you agree Dirk?

Dirk · Apr 30, 2010

Calvin said:
What's the situation with legalized brothels in Germany Dirk? Is it true that these places exist, and that if you go and pay and have sex with a woman who works there - there is nothing law enforcement can do about it because it is legal now? My personal view is that Canada should do the same (if Germany is doing it), because what two or more consenting adults do in the privacy of their own homes is really their own business.

Wouldn't you agree Dirk?

It's not just that there are "legalised brothels", prostitution itself is legal. Brothels are legally considered businesses. The idea is that when it's legal, it can be regulated, taxed and the participants protected. But there's also the opportunity to do it independently, and a lot of people choose to do that, I think.

And yes, I'd agree.

el canadiano · May 1, 2010

Dirk said:
Isn't that when puberty starts anyway? (11/12, i mean). Seems a good point to me. I don't remember when i had sex education, but i do remember they were very thorough. People took it very seriously. I don't know if it's changed by now, in Germany, i'm 28.

Close enough. It's best to do it before puberty, so eight/nine year olds might be the right option. Apparently puberty is hitting younger and younger kids every day, which is odd.

David · May 1, 2010

el canadiano said:
Close enough. It's best to do it before puberty, so eight/nine year olds might be the right option. Apparently puberty is hitting younger and younger kids every day, which is odd.

It's called evolution. :giggle: We're getting weaker, smarter (with shirking brains, go figure), living longer, getting shorter/taller (depending on the population) and fatter.

Calvin · May 1, 2010

Dirk said:
It's not just that there are "legalised brothels", prostitution itself is legal. Brothels are legally considered businesses. The idea is that when it's legal, it can be regulated, taxed and the participants protected.

Just another example of why Germany is a progressive state, and other nations like Canada lag behind. As for sex ed, to be completely honest, I don't think I ever learned anything of worth in a sex ed class, which started in grade 6 but continued throughout high school.

I suppose the high rate of teenage pregnancy further shows how ineffectual those sex ed classes really were.

deanhills · May 1, 2010

Calvin said:
I suppose the high rate of teenage pregnancy further shows how ineffectual those sex ed classes really were.

I've sometimes wondered whether the sex ed classes may have the exact opposite effect that may have been intended. Apart from the fact that they are never seriously taken by the children who are taking the classes.

GekiDan · May 12, 2010

Well, I remember that there are some books on pre-elementary schools that tells about male and female reproductive organs and cells. But I don't agree that kids as early as that needs to be taught about sex education.

High Schools is the best way to go.

David · May 12, 2010

GekiDan said:
Well, I remember that there are some books on pre-elementary schools that tells about male and female reproductive organs and cells. But I don't agree that kids as early as that needs to be taught about sex education.

High Schools is the best way to go.

Middle school, by high school many are already going at it and it's too late by then if they end up with a kid/STD.

lorcan · May 12, 2010

No I don't think kids should be taught sex ed at the age of eight, i think i learned it at the age of ten or eleven, I don't think they would understand as well if they were taught it so there would be no point.

GekiDan · May 18, 2010

David said:
Middle school, by high school many are already going at it and it's too late by then if they end up with a kid/STD.

We only have 4 school stages in our country: Pre-School, Grade School, High School and College.
So mostly regarding sex education, it is taught in high school on the Health subject.

prasanth5 · May 20, 2010

Sex education should be given starting from the age of 11. Boys would begin to understand something about the opposite sex but certainly not before that.