Battle Over Sex Ed Gets Hot and Heavy

You have really raised some very good questions on Sex Education for youngsters. I do have concerns about youngster's lack of knowledge on sex and also at the improper/irresponsible sex education by rank outsiders. A comprehensive syllabus on sex education needs to be evolved. It has to be in atleast three stages. Sex education classes will have to be segregated in space and time, for boys and girls and its should be outside the normal school hours. Parents should have complete freedom on when to put their children in to these classes. There should be a minimum age of sixteen for the first stage of sex education. The teachers should be mature seniors, themselves well trained in biology, physiology and psychology of sex - male teachers for male students and female teachers for females.
For more details please read my blog on Sex education in High Schools - http://lvnaga.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/sex-education/.
Kindly let me have your comments on my ideas. Thanks
Nagarajan

Sex education is a family matter and not something the schools should be involved in. The schools are having enough trouble serving up the basic reading, writing and arithmetic properly. It's up to parents to offer information and provide what details they want. For Pete's Sake, Stop trying to raise my child and worry about your own!!

I think we are turning back the clocks by not discussing sex education. Sex education includes information on diseases. With the rise of AIDs as well as a plethora of diseases among young people, sex ed will assist children in making better decisions. People are foolish for teaching abstinence only because it sets children up for failure. Additionally, choosing not to discuss sex, consequences, diseases etc, illustrates how puritanical our society has become.

Sex education is a public health issue. We need to elimate the idea that talking about sex is a private family matter and realize it should be as openly discussed as any other disease prevention.

Regardless of your religion, ethics, or worldview, all people need to know that the ONLY way to prevent STDs or pregnancy is by remaining abstinent. There is no other foolproof way to guarantee that someone will not be involved in a pregnancy or contract STDs. That's the bottom line. Condoms help but are in no way a guarantee. (Some reports say that the AIDS virus can be up to 25% smaller than the average size of holes in condoms. And condoms are ALLOWED to have holes...)

It would be nice if the schools didn't need to be involved, but there are too many parents who either choose not to or don't know how to talk to their kids honestly about sex. Regardless of who is delivering the message, the message needs to be that the ONLY way to protect yourself is to remain abstinent and that it is possible to have self-control over your bodies and our desires.

Sex education is a family matter in a perfect world- HOWEVER the family is not what it was twenty years ago. This has led to a boom in highly infectuous diseases - most of which young people don't know anything about. Children will talk amongst themselves because sex has been a very on-trend subject with any teenage generation. Parents who think children don't discuss this with friends are fooling themselves and ultimately, it's the children that suffer. When a family matter (or the lack of family attention to this matter) is causing infectuous disease, it becomes a public matter for the sake of public health. Parents, get over yourselves. Your children are, at some point, going to learn about, are going to have sex...and most, will do it on their time table - not yours. Let teachers help us and other parents out in this department.

As a mom of two children, step mom of one, I have to say that sex ed in schools should be mandatory. There are two many parents that think "if we don't talk about it, s/he won't know anything, and it won't happen". And LVN, your ideas are great, but I think that the ideals that you want to sex upon sixteen and seventeen year old kids is too little too late. Most kids are already sexually active by then, whether you want to see that or not. Jill- I feel the same way about your opinion. What about the parents that don't teach their children. What should we say to them, sorry for ya? I think that if you were to see how it is on school now, you would want the school to tell your children, even if it is just ot reiterate what you have already told them. My step daughters mother hasn't talked to her about sex yet. I think that she doesn't know how, or is too embarressed to approach the topic, so her father and I did it. She is only 12, but if you don't tell them that early, it might be too late. I do not want my kids to have sex. Heck, who does? But I'm not going to parade around oblivious to how society throws it at them and then expect them to know know until they are in high school. I'm definately not saying leave it up to the school, heck, when I was in school, sex ed was part of health class and that was taught by a football coach. I darn sure don't want that being the only education my kids are given, but I do want them to know that all the adults in their lives, be that from parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and teachers, don't want to see them end up pregnant with no hope for a future. If you take sex ed out of class, it will still be in tha hallways, and I would rather my children learn from an adult, then their friends. I don't want them pregnant. And I darn sure don't want them to have the reputation of one who does. I don't want them to look to society for sex ed, because if you don't catch them early enough, that's where they will learn. From TV, movies, and their friends. They can't walk the halls at school anymore without seeing the results of sex, there are lots of pregnant girls in school, and unlike the seventies and eighties, those girls are mainstreamed in classes and it's not a big deal to anyone. I don't want my kids to see the world like that. I will instill their morals and values, but I want to know that the school that they attend is on the same side. We have to be a united front, because if you don't stand together with the school that they attend, if the school doesn't talk about it and teach against it, then kids will think that it is accepted. What do you mean by stop trying to raise your child, and what do you mean worry about your own? You don't want your childrens teachers to worry about them. I think that when the teachers are on a personal level with children then they learn better. I don't want the school to stop trying to raise my child. I want them to make sure that they are healthy, and educated. I think that's just a silly comment on your part.

I think there is no better argument that Abstinence only programs don't work than Palin's daughter being pregnant. Since Bush has been in office and implemented Abstinence only programs the rate of teen pregnancies has risen by 35%. Obviously it isn't working.

I am 39 years old now and I don't have children so I have to speak from personal experience. I was not taught everything I needed to know from my mother and father. They were too busy with their daily worries; bills, finances, jobs, arguing...etc. I got pregnant at 20. I thought I knew what to do, signs to look for, etc. I was in my 2nd trimester when I found out I was pregnant. Because I didn't know I was pregnant I was still on birth control pills and having what I thought were periods, and other otc or RX meds, having xrays done, basically doing all kinds of things I should not be doing. I was told by the doctor that it would be in best interest to have an amneosyntesis to find out if I had damaged the fetus. The "crash course" experience negatively affected me and unhealthly. I view pregnancy completely different now.

Sex Ed does need to be taught, HOWEVER not in a way that is condoning it and only in High School. (probably calling the course a different name would be better) Teach it in a way that it is informative in the big picture of things, not just the "penis goes in the vagina" blah blah blah.... THE WHOLE ASPECT..THE BIG PICTURE. For example, everyone's body reacts differently, how it effects your relationships, your body, your life, life altering decisions like adoption, abortion, raising the child.
THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE AN "IN DEPTH" DISCUSSION AT THE SCHOOL ON SOME OF THESE TOPICS OF COURSE. JUST PLANT THE SEED SO THE STUDENT WILL GO HOME AND ASK AND KNOW WHAT TO ASK. MAKE IT AN ELECTIVE COURSE TO MINIMIZE CONFLICTS WITH PARENTS. AN ELECTIVE COURSE WITH A SYLLABUS THE PARENT CAN LOOK AT AND AUTHORIZE THEIR CHILD TO TAKE.
You get the idea. Dont just tell kids "enough" to be dangerous, tell them more so they make intelligent decisions.

Sex Ed is something that SHOULD be taught by both parents and the school system. Some teenagers dont feel comfortable discussing it with their parents. I was raised by my father only and had no female to talk to about sex. If it wasnt for the school system there are plenty of things I would have never knew about when he came to sex.
I do believe that abstinence only is a terrible idea. Most teens (and i emphasize most, not all) are going to have sex at some point in highschool or college. They should be well educated on the consequences that could happen. We shouldnt only teach that sex can result in pregnancy and disease but that sex changes teenagers emotionally and they may not be able to handle that quite yet.
Some parents do not take the time to discuss these issues with their children or are too embarassed to. By the time they want to discuss it, the child has already begun being sexually active.
Also, it is important that we educate our children because they seem to start MUCH younger now a days and will learn from their friends on television what sex is all about. I'm sorry but thats not how I want my child brought up. i want her to have all the facts not just scare her and tell her she HAS to be abstinent. That will just make her rebel.

People who want the school to stay out of their business of raising a family are missing the big picture. Every child is not fortunate enough to have a family that is willing or able to openly discuss sex, emotions, consequences, diseases, pregnancy, etc. As unfortunate as that may be, it is indeed reality. So, just because you're talking to your kids about sex, do you want their first sexual experience to be with someone who has no clue because they had no way to find the information except through friends or the internet? As a couple of people have mentioned, those kids with families that discuss sex will be extra fortunate if that education is supplemented by the school system. But those kids that don't have the benefit of open dialogue at home should not be left behind. To think that this issue is strictly a private family matter really implies that you are out of touch with our society as a whole.

I just wanted to say that I agree w/ Tricia and feel that people actually need to look outside of their own home. This maybe an incorrect assumption but people who actually work as pediatrician, obstetricians, and educators probably have and unique (slightly better) view at how important it is for sex education to start early and to be consistent and correct and universal. As a medical professional I can tell you that even w/ schools taking an active role in trying to teach sex education, many young americans still do not know enough about sex, STDs and how to avoid them. I would hate to think that I educate my child about sex, and STDs and he/she goes out and decides to openly ask their partner about sexually transmitted diseases and their partner says oh no I don't have one, but later on we find out my child develops herpes, because their partner thought that was something that was treated and gone. Unless you are planning to keep your child from ever having sex, expect they are putting themselves at risk for STDs (because FYI condoms don't protect against HPV, nor some other STDs that cause lesions) ..... therefore everyone needs to be educated. One could also make the statement that you can teach your child math as well, but you expect the school system to educate them about math, physical education, health etc. Well, then sex education teaches everyone about health of their own bodies.

Information is not permission.
As a mother of three who speaks openly and frankly to her children, not just about "plumbing", but also the weighty emotional issues associated with sex, I want sex ed in schools. Why? I want the people my children will partner with to also have a clue about the emotional intricacies and the physical risks, which are more far-reaching than just pregnancy.
This country needs to get over itself--teen sex is happening and we aren't preparing our children for what they will see. Let's arm them with good information.

No matter what we tell our children, or the schools tell our children, they will do what they want to. As parents, all we can do is tell our children what we believe. My son is a young adult. I started talking to him when he was in 4th grade, even though my husband felt that was too early. My thought was that if I dropped it into conversations, he would pick up on it. This included respect for girls, that contraceptives are not 100% effective, that the only sure way was total abstinence and that any sex, including oral can transmit disease. Even as a young adult, the info out there can be misleading. He read a blog on the internet from a young man who said that he had herpes, been cured and then gotten again. My son told me that it is curable. This meant another round of talks. As a parent, I want that open communication with my son. But, not all families have that openness.

As far as Governor Palin is concerned, she is like all of us. Trying to do her best. Bottom line is that her daughter is ultimately responsible for her actions. She made a choice. None of us knows whether this was a planned pregnancy or an accident. Leave her alone and quit speculating on it. No parent can do more than give information to their children. Then they have to make choices and live with the consequences.

Information is not permission.
I speak frankly and openly to my three children about sex--not just "plumbing", the emotional impact of sex as well. I wish our schools did a better job, other than the abstinence-only charade, as the the children of the people who aren't having conversations at home, will be dating my kids.
This country needs to get over itself and finally admit that teen sex happens, and we are failing our kids by not giving them the information they need to make good personal health and emotional decisions. Forget pregnancy--when it comes to unprotected sex, pregnancy is a lesser danger than the menu of risks they could be contracting.
Abstinence only seems to work very well for the people who pretend teens aren't engaging.
And, for the record, teen pregnancy in the real world of working class families who are trying to get by looks a whole lot different than the "happy ending" teen pregnancy that could happen if you were, say, the daughter of a governor who will bankroll your college education, your rent and your nanny while you continue on your path.

As the mother of two sons, 13 & 8, I believe Sex Ed should be taught in schools. My parents were not overly conservative, but sex was something that was not discussed in our household. Perhaps if it it was, maybe some of the choices I made as an adolescent would have been different.

I talk openly to my older son about sex, and he understands that I would rather he wait until he is much older to even entertain the idea especially since he has a younger brother that looks up to him. I want them both to know that it's okay to talk to me and be open about what's going on in their lives(although sometimes I want to cringe on the inside during these convos lol).

I agree with the earlier posts, parents do need to get over themselves. Because if our children aren't getting the infomation they need from us or in an educational setting, consider the misinformation they are getting from their peers through example or peer pressure. To me, that would be a more disturbing thought,

I am a Student myself, and my opinion about this subject, it's that schools should give the most information about Sex, because not all parents cover It all, and how It is. So just to make sure, I think this is another important teaching schools should teach. Specially teaching us about STD.

I definitely think sex ed should be a part of the high school educational system. My parents never spoke to me about it and I came from a very solid family. From my experience majority of parents did not speak to their children. This is not just a moral issue it's a health issue. I would not have known about all the diseases out there without this program and made the smart decisions I did. In today's society with many parents not as involved in their children's lives, it does take a village to raise a child.

Quite frankly, a good number of kids would benefit from their parents' attendance in sex education classes. Sex education needs to be taught and taught well. It can be taught in school, at home, or (ideally) a combination of both, but knowledge and understanding of it cannot be assumed nor can its necessity be ignored. Bristol Palin - quite probable case in point.

Teaching abstinence is not only unnecessarily oppressive, it goes hand-in-hand with ignorance, hence the need for more education.

I thinkg to suggest not rushing into sex or having to do it to fit in should be shared along with the biology of it and safe sex info.... lets not set our kids up to fail and get sick or pregnant to boot.... be realistic as adults..it is our job to inform and protect.... just preaching not to is not doing that AT ALL

I agree that abstinence is the only way to completely prevent pregnancy and other SDIs. The problem is that many (most) teens have a higher threshold for risk than adults do. Look at how they drive; there's a reason young men have higher insurance rates than the rest of us. And even though we tell them over and over not to drink and drive, my bet is that most of the people reading this know of at least one school rocked by the early death of a student due to drunk driving. Adolescents KNOW not to do it, but they don't really BELIEVE anything bad will ever happen to them. The judgment part of their brains simply hasn't finished developing. So believe me, they are going to have sex. But if you don't give them good information, if you tell them over and over how condoms and other methods fail, then why would they bother with any protection at all when they, eventually, do have sex? Certainly, condoms aren't perfect, but, used properly, they are a whole lot better than nothing.

Teens (and adults) are going to make bad choices sometimes; it's part of the human condition. We tell teens not to drink, too, but even the kid who swore she wasn't going to sometimes changes her mind in the heat of the moment and has a beer at a party. She might not drive, she might not get drunk, she might never do it again, but she tried it once. And even the teens who swore they were going to wait until marriage sometimes try sex. For a lot of reasons. I'd rather, though, that they not have to live with the physical (pregnancy, STI) consequences as well as the emotional ones.

And, on the subject of emotional consequences to sex, there are some really good health curricula out there that teach about sex in the context of personal wellbeing. These classes address relationship, self-esteem and moral decision making issues as well as sexually transmitted infections and contraception. "Sex ed" is, and should be, more than just giving kids condoms and telling them to be careful.

Abstinence only teaching relies too heavily on scare tactics. And scare tactics don't work, at least not long term.

Let's not forget that abstinence is the only 100% method to prevent STDs and pregnancy. I would rather bet on the guarantee than the probable. Teaching abstinence only has not increased teen pregnancy. Sex increased teen pregnancy. Poor or misinformed judgments increased teen pregnancy. Lack of appropriate supervison contributed to the rise in teen pregnancy. Teaching kids how to protect themselves is a small part of the puzzle. Self control and managing sexual urges is part of development cycle for teens and young adults. This is an issue for parents and not schools. With high drop out rates and poor performance, this not a focus for educators. This is an issue of personal accountability that is not the responsibility of school districts.

I am curious... has anyone researched what students in Bristol Palin's age group were taught about sex ed? When did the "abstinence-only" teaching begin in Alaska, or across the nation? I have a strong hunch that 'abstinence-only' ed may have been implemented after she received public sex-ed that taught about the plumbing and contraceptives, and not the emotional/psychological benefits of waiting until maturity or marriage.

Go Palin!

YOUR kids are getting sex education in school, one way or another. The only question is: Are they getting facts from trained teachers in comprehensive programs or are they getting myths and lies from other students who are just as ignorant as they are? If you tell them, "just say no" and their friends tell them, "just say yes" and they don't have good, reliable, truthful facts or information on which to base there decision, who will they listen to? If you never tell them that it is their body and that they have a RIGHT to make those decisions for themselves, they will be much more likely to feel the pressure to pick a side, rather than making the choice that is best for them. And the pressures of friends and hormones and culture and boy or girlfriends could push them into something that they don't even want to do.

I truely believe that MOST kids would wait longer if they truly felt that it was their choice to make, rather than a side that they had to pick. Lots of girls and boys have sex when they know they aren't ready because of the pressure to be loved or to fit in over-rides the dire warnings of dusty old parents, teachers and preachers who "just don't get it."

I agree that sex education is a public health issue and not just a private family matter. People who say that sex should be taught in the family and not in schools are jumping to the wrong conclusions- that information is dangerous and that there kids will never have sex if they aren't taught about contraceptives! That is crazy.

Teens are growing and sex education is something they will need for LIFE, during and beyond school, most people in this country are sadly ignorant of their own biology and many of the other issues (such as AIDS, STDs, and other infections) taught in sex ed. We are not equipt to teach our children all that they need to know. And if they don't learn it in school, they aren't going to magically have a good source of information on the day they marry! They will be dependent on the media messeges they recieve, and may have great difficulty having a healthy sex life when the time IS right. Great heartache can result from ignorance of this type.

We need to teach teens about their body and their health. Just because topics make parents uncomfortable doesn't mean they aren't healthy or neccesary for students to be educated in.

Those who think that a school based sex ed program won't teach emotional, or ethical aspects should campaign for improved programs, rather than trying to put an end to them. I think a good program would include assignments where students talk to parents and religious leaders to find out what is expected of them from those fronts, and open a healthy dialogue.

Parents who are certain that they can handle the whole subject "in house" can usually opt out and let other kids who don't have such pro-active parents get the education they need. But learning in school doesn't mean that parents can't teach there beliefs on top of that, that is rediculous.

If you think that YOU are the only source of information on sex, you would be SHOCKED to know what your children are learning from friends and peers. (things like "oral sex isn't real sex" which a comprehensive sex education program would NOT teach, but would instead explain the risks involved in those practices.)

YOUR kids are getting sex education in school- the question is are they getting the FACTS from a comprehensive program with trained teachers or are they getting MYTHS and LIES from other ignorant kids and moralistic religious leaders? Because while it is true that abstinence is 100% effective (used perfectly) it is a flat out lie that condoms "just don't work." Even worse is the things that kids tell each other, "You can't get pregnant the first time." "Everybody's doing it." "Oral sex isn't sex." "If you do it on x day, you won't get pregnant" "You can tell who has STD's by looking at them." and so on.

Ignorance, shame, and fear are the keys to more health problems, more teen pregnancy, more death and more heartache!

Of course we all know abstinence is the only 100% secure method, but lets not kid ourselves into thinking that by not talking about the big white elephant in the room, (SEX) that it's just going to go away. Teenagers are curious, always have been, always will be. Curiosity is natural. By informing teenagers of how to protect themselves in no way encourages them to partake in sexual activities. On the contrary, if they are well informed about the risks involved in sexual activity they might be more likely to abstain a little longer. If they feel they are ready for the pleasures that sex brings than they should be ready to understand the consequences involved. If they're not, at least they are aware of the ramifications and they are going to do whatever they want anyways because they're teenagers! At least by educating our young adults about the realities of sex, pregnancy and STDs we will know when 17 year old high school seniors get pregnant they have an idea what the reality of their situation is. Not all parents are comfortable talking about sex, which is fine! Its a touchy subject. This is even more reason for a third party to educate young people on the educational aspect of sexual health and understanding. There are people who are professionals in this area and do a wonderful, tasteful job of educating people. Lets not turn our heads from this necessary topic because we are embarrassed to talk about it. Sex is everywhere...it's how we got here!

I believe that some sort of sex ed should be taught in schools, or at least explained. Perhaps parents could get a "how to talk to you kids" course to help them deal with the topic at home. Abstinence like someone said, is a type of forbidden behavior, off limits and that only makes kids want to test or break the boundaries.

I think that people who believe discussing sex-related issues should be a family matter arent attuned t reality. Primarilly parents have to realise whether you comfortable discussing sex with children or not, the pobability that your children is is high. Secondly, whether you like or nor they are sexually charged people with hormones and it is human nature to explore sexually, all animals do it. But on the other hand, becoming aware of ones own sexuality, the change from child to adulthood, raises an awareness that the sexuality you feel is private, thus discussing it with your parents is out of the picture.

However, you still need have to have education that will make you aware of sex and everything that sex entails; That means aquiring knowledge of pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (there reason why AIDS is spreading with a vast speed in the US) and education about respecting your own body as well as other peoples and finally, birth controls.

Whether the kids choose to have sex or not, dont they deserve to engage in a wonderful act, such a sex, with an awareness and a educated mind that will make them more able to make responsible decisions. The other option, for me, just seems as though we dont have faith in our children and their ability to grow up as responsible people, that act as independent individuals ready for the consequences of their actions and are abled because they have been taught.

Part of me is wondering that if teen pregnancies are on the rise, perhaps abortions are decreasing, and maybe more teens are choosing life. The real question is whether more teens are having sex, how much, etc.

These comments against arming children with knowledge are ridiculous! First are all, it's really a non issue because you can opt out of your children having the sex ed talk if you want to and then are prepared to do it yourself! There are many parents who are thrilled to leave that talk up to the teachers. Abstinence only education courses have been PROVEN TO FAIL by non partisan studies! Teenage pregnancy is also up since the occurance of these abstinence only classes in public schools under Bush! These are the facts. If you are that against your child hearing about anything to do with health or sex ed in school then opt them out of it! If you are so against any child getting the facts that may prevent unwanted pregnancies and diseases than I suggest putting your child in a religious school or home schooling them!

I think that kids need all the information they can get so they can make informed choices about their lives. It is unrealistic to think that expecting abstinence from young people and not giving them good information about why they might want to make that type of choice is just poor judgment. It obviously was not effective enough in the Palin family's situation. In addition, the boy that has fathered this child has said on his blog that he doesn't want children or to be married. That's why his blog got pulled from the Internet so those facts can be covered up. It is not enough for parents to spout virtuous sentiments. They should know and care enough to look out for the welfare of their own children before telling everyone else what to believe.

This is nuts!!! What will McCain and Palin have us in long dresses and aprons with a dollie on our heads like pilgrims... This is 2008 and the world has changed and sex is all over everywhere... They need to get real... her daughter is doing the same as everyone elses.

Since the whole premise for this article is the idea that Sarah Palin is for abstinence-only sex ed, it would be at least appropriate to get the story right. She's not for that. Don't just assume everything hurled out about a candidate is true. Here is what she has said, reported in the LA Times on September 6:

~~~
In a widely quoted 2006 survey she answered during her gubernatorial campaign, Palin said she supported abstinence-until-marriage programs. But weeks later, she proclaimed herself "pro-contraception" and said condoms ought to be discussed in schools alongside abstinence.

"I'm pro-contraception, and I think kids who may not hear about it at home should hear about it in other avenues," she said during a debate in Juneau.

...

Palin's statements date to her 2006 gubernatorial run. In July of that year, she completed a candidate questionnaire that asked, would she support funding for abstinence-until-marriage programs instead of "explicit sex-education programs, school-based clinics and the distribution of contraceptives in schools?"

Palin wrote, "Yes, the explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support."

But in August of that year, Palin was asked during a KTOO radio debate if "explicit" programs include those that discuss condoms. Palin said no and called discussions of condoms "relatively benign."

"Explicit means explicit," she said. "No, I'm pro-contraception, and I think kids who may not hear about it at home should hear about it in other avenues. So I am not anti-contraception. But, yeah, abstinence is another alternative that should be discussed with kids. I don't have a problem with that. That doesn't scare me, so it's something I would support also."
~~~

These don't seem contradictory to me. I believe the same thing. Teach the virtues and benefits of abstinence until marriage, but also provide other information. "Abstinence-until-marriage" does NOT mean you oppose teaching about contraception also.

iVillage, you should check things out better before asserting what someone's position is.

I agree that not every parent does or can provide appropriate information on sex to their child. However, it is the parent's responsibility and schools should carefully select what information will be taught. I do not think schools need to discuss the sex act, but they should discuss social diseases, various forms of birth control and child care. The curriculum should be developed with the PTA of the school and delivered by trained professionals.

Absentence may be included as one method of birth control, even as a preferred method, but should not be presented as the religious method. I think Palin should remain quite until she gets a handle on issues and is better prepared defend them. You can lose votes with comments that irritate or seem to tread on citizen rights. This country was built on freedoms and that includes freedom from the government trying to control sex education, birh control, abortion or other personal issues.

Elementary school should be teaching elementary education, high school is the groundwork for college. Basic human physiology including reproduction would be a part of that curriculum. The moral and in some cases religious aspects surrounding human reproduction, those discussions belong to the family. Should some families choose to avoid those discussions, well that is their decision. It is not for me to pass judgement on those parents, nor pass my beliefs onto those children. My church and others churhes and non-religious social groups have outreach programs for teens that seek answers to questions that might not be forthcoming from their parents. I've seen these program work wonders.

The bottom line is that unless you are in a private school of a particular religious affiliation, public school is not the place to teach or preach sexual morals to children.

As someone put it earlier, they are having enough trouble getting basic educational material taught and that should be the priority.

It is the parents who should be educating their kids. Also, religious issues such as Abortion should be kept out of government. Seperation of State and church is how the forefathers set it up. No one should be inflicting their religious beliefs on anyone else. People in power especially need to back off. It's all a slippery-slope. VOTE OBAMA!!!

Obviously Governor Palin was too busy with her political agenda to teach abstinance only to her teenage daughter.
I guess she thinks the responsibility belongs to the schools
Where is her responsibility as a parent?

One more of Palin's delusional policies (arial bounty hunting of wolves, hunting of (endangered) polar bears, and opposition to generally accepted conservation and environmental protections). Sexual education is a public health issue; left to the varying capabilities of parents, inadequate (or non-existent) education can result in teen pregnancy, abortions, sexually transmitted diseases, child abuse, etc. Don't forget that many teens (boys and girls) get pregnant because of serious problems at home. Once the kids get adequate education, THEN it is up to the parents to monitor sexual activity and behaviors, and offer appropriate support and guidance.

I believe teaching abstinence is a wonderful thing to do... however, many teens/and adults do not follow the teaching and the preaching so we must also teach sex education.
I believe parents should teach their children abstinence as well as sex education, however again, many chose not to, so we need someone other than their friends/dates to teach.
My sons were in their pre-teen years when their father and I told them about sex. We explained that abstinence was the choice we hoped they would make, however, we knew that the odds of them following our suggestion was probably slim. So we also taught them about birth control, about AIDS, about sexually transmitted diseases. I told them that when I was a teen, we were afraid of getting pregnant and perhaps catching a virus, but we weren't afraid of dying from it as is possible today.
The other problem is the abortion law...
If we make abortion illegal again, we will only go back to how it was before Roe vs Wade where women and girls will be getting coat-hanger abortions...do you remember how those were????
I do not believe in late term abortions...I believe that there should be a set time such as by the 3rd month. If a woman's physical life depends on aborting then perhaps a later one, however, the woman who make it to 7-8 months and then decide to terminate because of mental problems...put the child up for adoption...and get sterilized so it doesn't happen again.
For those who truly believe in God, remember it is His decision of forgiveness not ours.....and the decision for a girl/woman to end her pregnancy shouldn't be a political one.

She has no right to push any kind of any talk about sex, or protection or non sex or keeping kids from sex since her kids have kids!!! She doesnt stick up for any woman she is a HORRIBLE choice for vice presidant. And trying to force Abstinence just tells kids to rebel and do it anyway. You teach your kids how you want to since you are the ones that gave birth to them not Palin. Two things you dont mix and thats religion and politics since everyone has their own religion LEAVE THE WORLD ALONE AND THIER BELIEFS!!!

HELLO....Most parents are not doing their jobs!!!! If they were the teen pregnancy rate would not be so high. We teach our children to "Say No to Drugs" in school, and that's okay right? Of course it is, because it's a positive message. What's the difference between teaching the D.A.R.E. Program in school and teaching an abstinence program? High school students and younger are not old enough to vote, not old enough to drink, not old enough to work full-time, and not old enough to have sex. PERIOD. They are not old enough to deal with the consequences. The consequences of teen pregnancy trickles down and eventually affects the community (low-income housing, welfare, jobless rate, etc.) you and I live in, and we are stuck paying for it. So, yes, you and I may be doing our jobs, and you can pull your kid out of sex ed if you want, but I'll take all the reinforcement I can get to give my child a positive message.

HELLO....Most parents are not doing their jobs!!!! If they were the teen pregnancy rate would not be so high. We teach our children to "Say No to Drugs" in school, and that's okay right? Of course it is, because it's a positive message. What's the difference between teaching the D.A.R.E. Program in school and teaching an abstinence program? High school students and younger are not old enough to vote, not old enough to drink, not old enough to work full-time, and not old enough to have sex. PERIOD. They are not old enough to deal with the consequences. The consequences of teen pregnancy trickles down and eventually affects the community (low-income housing, welfare, jobless rate, etc.) you and I live in, and we are stuck paying for it. So, yes, you and I may be doing our jobs, and you can pull your kid out of sex ed if you want, but I'll take all the reinforcement I can get to give my child a positive message.

It just seems to me that this is the wrong question for this mother.

No approach that attempts to stop the flow works. Sexual energy is a powerful flow. Better to learn from Aikido (martial arts) that teaches one to blend with an attacker, then move the attacker where the "victim" wants them to go. With sexuality, we need to accept that young people emerging into their time of sexuality WILL be sexual (they have been in even the most repressed of times), start blending and moving with them, then direct them to responsible sexuality, instead of insisting that everyone stick their head in the sand!

I'm always amazed at how easily people who say they are principled (the religious right, e.g.) so easily give up principle and work on the basis of personality. "Well, because it's Gov. Palin's daughter, we're going to make an exception...."

Look how effectively the abstinence stance worked for Sarah Palin's family! 17 is pretty young--couldn't they even get her to wait a year or two? And if not, why not? It doesn't work any better for other families, in most cases. No amount of "forgiveness," rationalizations or acceptance changes this. We do want to forgive the daughter, accept the young marriage and move on--but do we want to make national policy on the basis of a system that is flawed and unworkable with the very people who insist we follow it? That's CRAZY!

Apparently Ms. Palin's stance on abstinance only education did not work too well in her own household. The rate of teen pregnancies has gone down over the past few years but it's still too high. So it's clear that something must be done to lessen the number of chidren raising children and the burdens on the social services system. I don't see abstenance only policies as being very affective. I do agree sex education is best taught by parents who can pass along their own personal views and beliefs. Sadly, however, too many parents don't take time to do that, for various reasons. The school system must then step in to pick up the "slack". Perhaps sex education in schools should be an elective course whereby parents can either allow or not allow their child to participate.

I totally agree with Palin. I also think it's empowering to know that you are control of your sexual experiences. If we say you'll lose control but at least be safe then our kids will believe it and will feel they are subject to their emotions and bodies responses. I was told I should wait til I was married and was given good resons for it. I was given strategies to get out of tempting situations and I married as a virgin and I married a virgin. We both feel so fortunate to have this only between each other. I was empowered! I feel that I will raise my children the same. If they shoulod fail well they will have a relationship with us that will still provide a safe place.

As parents, I believe we should educate our own children. I used several teachable moments to speak to my child about sex and sexual responsibility to herselft and her partner. I explained all about the different types of contraceptives. My daughter was 20 yrs. old when she told me she thought she was ready to have sex. Since she was in a long-distance relationship, I calmly explained why I didnt' think it was a good idea but I was happy she felt comfortable speaking with me about such an important and personal decision. I took my daughter to Wal-Mart and purchased every form contraceptive they had and explained to her how to used them. I also told that she had to insist that the young man wore a condom (no glove, no love).

My daughter is 24 now. She's married and the only one of her friends that does not have a child. I know we can't control everything, but I have the comfort of knowing that I made my child feel safe talking to me about sex.

If this question is about the shockingly dangerous, insulting, reckless choice for VP who takes over if McCain is in and dies or becomes incpacitated, she is an outrageous insulting frightening choice. Banning books in libraries, firing the librarians who will not do it? She is an insult to educated Americans and a danger to our health. I descend from the author of the first book banned in the colonies. They burned it. He went back to England.. after founding a city and being Governor. Seems like a good idea.

If the question is about education in the schools, I am for it with qualified seniors teaching. Parents can participate by knowing the lessons ahead of time.

I'm all for Sex-ed in school if it is REALLY sex education and not just "fluff". Many of you have written on the specifics such as the emotional issues, life changing issues, etc...

I'm 45. I had friends who were sexually active starting in the 8th grade, one girl had an 18 yo boyfriend in the 6th grade and was sexually active then! I learned a lot from my friends! LOL!

I chose the hard road - abstinence. It was my choice because I was taught to make my own decisions regarding my life and to not let the moment or my peers decide for me. I feel that that is what we need to teach our kids...to make the right decision and not to cave to peer pressure.

I was told by many that I was imature for not having sex.

I didn't care.

I was called a prude, the "ice queen", and other names and terms related to a girl who was a virgin.

I didn't care. I knew that my life and future were far more important than satisfying a boy's urge and mine. Many of my friends today either became pregant out of marriage and/or have STD's.

I have a 7 yo dd now. I am beginning to educate her on how important it is to make the right decision and that she has right to make those decisions as well as teach her that she has total control of her body - like no one has the right to touch her an ANY way that she feels is not right. I'm hoping that when she is older she will have the foundation to make the correct decisions before getting into trouble and perhaps keep her from being drawn in by a pedophile or worse! I'll be talking to her about the "birds and the bees" in the near future...when the time is right.

What about sex ed for the sexes? A class for girls and a one for boys. Each group faces different pressures from society and their peers.

First of all with regards to Sarah Palin, we're missing the point here. We cannot have someone in the White House who declares her beliefs on what our children should be taught in any school system when it's quite evident that she missed teaching that lesson to her own children,i.e. her pregnant daughter. The first priority on her agenda should be her own children, not to show up as a public figure in the most important electoral processes we have in this country telling us "Don't Do As I Do, Do As I Say".

Sarah is obviously someone who talks the talk and walks in the complete opposite direction. PLEASE America, WAKE UP!!!

THIS COMES FROM A WOMAN WITH HOW MANY KIDS?

Palin should really stop having sex before she starts preaching everyone else to stop....

I think teaching sex ed and giving kids all the info and choices is the only option. Inform them that the best way to not get pregnant or an STD is to abstain but give them the knowledge and equip them with other options in case they don't abstain. Obviously Palin's own daughter didn't do a very good job of abstaining and a condom or some other form of birth control wouldn't have been a bad idea . . . now would it???

I agree that some parents do not talk to their children about sex, but I also think that the government puts its nose in where it doesn't belong, i.e., sex education, condoms, abortion, discipline, etc., and I think they have no place in a situation that should be handled by the people and not the government. I think we should teach our children at home, but not only about sex, but about drugs, alcohol, creation, etc., and if they had not listened to Dr. Spock back in the 50's, we would not have so many problems with our children being so wild, unruly, and undisciplined. The responsibility is the parents, but the school systems and the government keep trying to make it theirs.

I do believe for the most part that parents should be responsible for educating their children about sex however, I'm beginning to think there are alot of parents not this. Abstinence is probably the best form of preventing teen pregnancy however even I remember how strong those physical feelings run when involved in a one on one relationship for any length of time. The reality of this issue and the fantasy of what we want for our children as prime sex education are at two very different ends of the spectrum. I have to wonder when I see Sarah Palin's 17 year old teen age daughter pregnant if maybe Sarah spent far too much time being a hockey mom and not enough time addressing her daughters' teenage sexuality issues?? I raised two daughters and I'm happy to say that through my communication and the school's health field trips in 5th and 6th grades both my daughters never had to deal with this issue. I do put great emphasis on parenting skills and we as a society need to take full responsibilty.

In an ideal world, sex education SHOULD be the responsibility of parents. We know however, that's not happening across the board. I think it is critical that sex education be offered in schools, a curriculum that emphasizes the risks and the consequences and birth control. Abstinence only clearly isn't working. Just look at the teen birth statistics, not to mention incidence rates for HPV and other STDs. The argument that "if you teach them about it, they'll think they have permission to do it" holds no water. They already ARE doing it, and in my opinion, it is irresponsible to teach ONLY abstinence. If you don't want your child to get sex education, there is usually a way to opt out. I know that when our daughter was in middle school, we had to sign a permission slip. Kids whose parents didn't OK it did something else in a different classroom.

It is the responsibility of Parents to teach their children right and wrong, and the "birds and the bees". Obviously,m abstinence is the best way, but they should be taught other alternatives. No matter what a parent teaches them, they will at some point make wrong decisions. Even Adam and Eve in a perfect sinless environment made wrong decisions!!

why can't we have sex education that also offers abstinence as on option of birth control? i will teach my own children my beliefs but they will be exposed to other ideas as well. if they hear about sex in school i want them to know that not "doing it" is okay too! (and it will certainly keep you from getting pregnant). as far as sarah palin and her daughter, i would not begin to judge. like i said, i will teach my children what i believe but they will most certainly make their own decisions. sometimes my 5 year old doesn't do what i say, how can i expect my 17 year old to.

Abstinence only Education does NOT work, even when I was growing up. I knew more then one teenage mother, and not a darn one of them had a clue about birth control or the proper uses. All of them were from very religious backgrounds. Not surprisingly more then one of them had an STD. Just saying don't do it end of story isn't going to get across to a head strong teenager.

Teaching abstinence is like teaching that there's only one way to cook a chicken!

As a thirty eight year old and new stepmom I feel for the kids that are out there totally curious about sex and where to get the straight answers. I think it is both the parents who need to teach thier children about sex as well as the schools. Some kids do not have parents willing or able to give them straight answers about Sex. I couldnt talk to my mom or stepmother about sex because I didnt have a good relationship with either of them but I had a wonderful teacher I could talk to about the issue of my own curious thoughts about sex. Sadly I never had children of my own, and I am getting a little fed up with these young girls who think getting pregnant at a young age is cool and we adults are the ones who have to pay for them on the welfare roles for the next eighteen years because no one wants to teach these kids anything about sex in school other than waiting until thier married get real people.

My sister gave condoms to her 13 year old son. Told him since he was going to have sex to make sure it was safe sex. He is now going to be a dad at 16. He got his girlfriend pregnant. I think kids need to be educated about possible side effects, pregnance, std's, etc. I asked my 15 yr old what was most important to her, college or raising a family. We need to give teens the information and yet they will do what they want to no matter what mom or dad says.

Abstinence doesn't work!!! Though is does give me a good laugh when someone who preachs it as the Gov. does, gets caught. The Palin's weren't teaching this at home. Or was the Gov. too busy? Which???

Well, we can all see how effective the preaching of abstinence only did for Sarah Palin's children, who are now going to have a shot-gun wedding for political purposes. I agree that it should be first the parent that educates children on what their family values are; however, the sad reality is that some parents have no values and their children are dating our own. Therefore, society then has compelling interest in making sure STD's and other health issues related to sex are discussed. That being said, a sex education course in school speaking about all the options about sex is neccessary and narrowly tailored to protecting that compelling interest. This is the same argument that allows the restriction put on abortion. Therefore if you disagree with this arguement you would disagree with the argument the Supreme Court has made to place restrictions on abortion. You can't have it both ways.

Why should we allow someone obviously incompedent on the subject teach our children? Now remember, she did tried to hid the fact HER daughter (her unwed daughter) was pregnant. That's lying, SIN NUMBER TWO!
NEED I CONTINUE?

Why should we allow someone obviously incompedent on the subject teach our children? Now remember, she did tried to hid the fact HER daughter (her unwed daughter) was pregnant. That's lying, SIN NUMBER TWO!
NEED I CONTINUE?

What a losing argument. Debating in what way we as parents should surrender our rights and responsibility to ANY government standard. Want your pastor to teach your kid, take them to church. Want to teach your kid to be a whore, buy porn, but none of it belongs in a classroom.

Seems to me that any science class that simply, correctly and accurately teaches how the reproductive process works has covered the bases, hasn't it? Why do they need to go the next step with moral issues?

Want to teach birth control and disease prevention, then abstinence is 100% effective and then other options presented as less than 100% is true and accurate and not again a mater of moral belief, but rather a statement of fact as to what works how well and for what purpose. If it stops there, they are not "alternatives", they are the technology currently in existence that controls reproductive process in a relationship, even in marriage where abstinence is not a part of the equation anymore.

The fact that so much of this debate is "what" propaganda the government should teach and not how anti - American it is to have ANY propaganda taught is scary. The first step in authoritarian control is indoctrination in a "public" school system. It shows how little people truly understand what our founding papers say and what our founding fathers intended in there creation. How sad. I keep a copy of the Constitution with me. You can pick up the "pocket books" for like $3. It seems clear it would be recommended reading . . . .

Tell all these people to mange the business of this country and leave the birth control to us. Nither side is acting in the spirit of our creation as a free society, with the responsibility and pit falls that freedom brings.

In a free society, parents raise kids. In an authoritarian society, the government does. Simple stuff.

All you have to do is watch movies or tv to know there is a lot of wrong information out there for our kids. Yes, it would be nice to wait until marriage, but this is hardly working in todays world.
I had 6 children they had 4 children out of wedlock. They were all brought up as Christins and the "idea" it is better to wait. Guess what. It didn't work. They need information and need it yesterday!!

I do agree that we as parents need to teach our children about sex and abstinance. I think abstinance should be taught as priority. However, I am also teaching my daughter that she needs to protect herself. She is learning about birth control. An uninformed child is a child that may have a child early. I for one want my daughter to be able to have all out of life as possible. If she chooses to have sex before she is married then I want her protected. It should not be up to her partner. We as parents also need to be responsible enough to take the responsibility of our children when we do not teach them what they need to know. It should not be up to the schools or government to teach our children about health and moral issues.

Its the parent place to talk to their child about sex,
the school or government has no business in it.The government has enough problems to deal with,ex.gas prices, TOOO HIGH, they should not be talking to nobody about sex education.

Responsibility should be taught by the parents. Educating children about how their bodies work should be left up to a professional. Not the health teacher at school or the coach that teaching health. Schools and churches should be equiped with personnel that teaches how the body works, what happens when and why. Most parents do not teach this. If you don't teach about contraceptives and how they should be used properly but expect your teenage child to "just don't do it" that is the blind leading the blind. We all need to step up and let our children know what their bodies are going to go through. Be honest with them and yourselves.

I personally doubt that Sarah Palin's infant child is hers - if you read the facts about the pregnancy, it is worth noting that Palin may already be a GRANDMOTHER. Even if I am wrong, I do not want this hypocritical abstinence preacher anywhere near women's reproductive health issues. If I am right, I don't want this promiscuous, red-neck family anywhere near the nation's highest office. As the mother of young kids, who I am trying to teach about sexual conduct as well as national pride, I believe we can do better.

Abstenence only?? Ask Sarah....I guess it doesn't work......I think BOTH kids, parents and trusted friends and relatives should feel comfortable about talking to kids about sex....our society THROWS it in our faces daily...music, movies, fashion...and then we get upset when are kids do what they see!!!

I have raised 3 children...now 33, 30 and 27....one daughter had teenage sex, one waited until over 21...my son the 27 year old did have sex as a teen...luckily no one became pregnant........ sex as a teen...not my wishes...but one thing they all did/do is have SAFE sex...because we TALKED about it.......I told them I would prefer that they wait......I gave them lots of reasons why they should....then I explained that IF they chose to do it anyway...I would be disappointed BUT would hope that they were smart about it!!!!

Many of their friends came to me for advice...sometimes it WAS uncomfortable to explain and answer detailed questions.......but no one talked to me about the details when I was growing up...what I learned in school was not enough.....these kids WISHED their parents would talk to them about the information provided at school.

I have a 12 year old still to raise...and although embarassing for him and my husband and I...we supported and added to the info he got in 6th grade health.

Not talking about it...and abstenence only...and making children give birth to children.....hmmmmm........not my beliefs at all.....get your heads out of the sand conservative Christians....Jesus had to have many uncomfortable conversations......he didn't always agree with his FATHER...but they communicated.

Ignorance IS NOT bliss.....Many of you are living in a dream world where you think you can protect your little darlings from knowledge and fats..we are bombarded with images and behavior that belies what you are pretending with a just "close your eyes and it'll go away" mentality...the truth is, kids already know. And the more you fight teens the more they fight back...Knowledge is power...This is not "leave it to beaver" and you all are not June and Ward Cleaver..that was a fantasy!....WAKE UP!!!! It you don't have the courage and intellect to teach sexual awareness, then allow a professional to do what you don't have the guts to. Palin is not a role model..She and her family are the antihesis of a healthy family..

Guess what---
Kids may not know how to read or write---BUT THEY SURE KNOW HOW TO MULTIPLY!
If you don't teach sex ed in school, what happened to Sarah Palin's kid is what happens all over.

As a recent high school graduate I think it is important to note that every sex education program I have recieved throughout my schooling has always stressed the importance of abstinence. They always say it is the only 100% guaranteed method to avoid std's or pregnancy. They also stress the phsychological aspects of having sex at a young age. People who think that all the school does is tell you to use condoms and teach the biology is just wrong. Schools aren't as careless as this, they always tell you to abstain, but just in case you can't here is everything you need to know to be safe.

The other important thing to mention is that if you are a parent and doesn't beleive that the school should educated your child, then you always have the right to take them out of the class. The kids whose parents didn't want them to be taught sex education and wanted it to be left to them, were allowed to go to the library and do alternative assignments. Why would you want this valuable resource to be taken away from other kids who don't necesarily have access to information or have good support at home? If you don't want your kids to participate, then fine, but don't take it away from everyone else.

Sex education is extrememly valuable. My boyfriend (of 6 years) and I personally abstain because we were taught everything there is to know about sex. We were taught that it is ok to not have sex and that you should never do it because others think you should. And beleive me we went through a lot of peer pressure, kids thaught it was weird. And we don't do it for any religious reasons, we don't have aprents telling us to wait, we jsut know that we aren't ready, we want our relationship to be built on a strong foundation. But the education we recieved has also educated us to the point that we know how to handle ourselves when it does come up. I personally would never send my kid to a school that teaches abstinence only. Schools have more resources and more knowledge about the subject, not every parent will be able to handle the subject as well as a trained professional.

Sorry this got so long, I jsut really feel strongly about the subject.

I think that the Government has done enough damage to the way our children relate to Sex. I am the pereson who is to teach my children about it not the Government as they always screw up everything. they cheat on spouses and lie to the country so they should just Shut-Up and leave our children alone we are the parents and we are raising them!!!!!!!

My adopted son is the consequence of a teen pregnancy. Both teens had been taught sex-ed in school and abstinence at home. Accidents happen and we all know how effective condoms are especially when forgotten in the passion of the moment. Besides, we know that there is no birth control method except abstinence that is 100% effective. And an abortion should not be used as a form of birth control.

Lay off Gov. Palin's daughter already. She is not the one running for office. She made a mistake and is adult enough to make a tough decision and keep the child. We don't know everything about the situation at home. True the young couple is getting married and will raise the child...but isn't that better than an abortion?

Koodo's to Gov. Palin and her daughter on standing proudly for what they believe and facing the biased press for doing so.

Sex education should be taught in school and at home. We have taught our son abstinence and he has taken a sex-ed class at school. He is none the worse for either and better prepared for making the choice when the time comes.

As a recent high school graduate I think it is important to note that every sex education program I have recieved throughout my schooling has always stressed the importance of abstinence. They always say it is the only 100% guaranteed method to avoid std's or pregnancy. They also stress the phsychological aspects of having sex at a young age. People who think that all the school does is tell you to use condoms and teach the biology is just wrong. Schools aren't as careless as this, they always tell you to abstain, but just in case you can't here is everything you need to know to be safe.

The other important thing to mention is that if you are a parent and doesn't beleive that the school should educated your child, then you always have the right to take them out of the class. The kids whose parents didn't want them to be taught sex education and wanted it to be left to them, were allowed to go to the library and do alternative assignments. Why would you want this valuable resource to be taken away from other kids who don't necesarily have access to information or have good support at home? If you don't want your kids to participate, then fine, but don't take it away from everyone else.

Sex education is extrememly valuable. My boyfriend (of 6 years) and I personally abstain because we were taught everything there is to know about sex. We were taught that it is ok to not have sex and that you should never do it because others think you should. And beleive me we went through a lot of peer pressure, kids thaught it was weird. And we don't do it for any religious reasons, we don't have aprents telling us to wait, we jsut know that we aren't ready, we want our relationship to be built on a strong foundation. But the education we recieved has also educated us to the point that we know how to handle ourselves when it does come up. I personally would never send my kid to a school that teaches abstinence only. Schools have more resources and more knowledge about the subject, not every parent will be able to handle the subject as well as a trained professional.

Sorry this got so long, I jsut really feel strongly about the subject.

Let talk about reality here first. No matter how much you educate someone, they're still going to make their own choices. I myself was a teenage single mom. Kids at that age think "it will never happen to me". I can say all of this from experience. I received my sex education from both my parents and the schools, and it still didn't make all that much of a difference. Children are exposed to many of these issues at a very young age, whether it be through the media, their peers, their family, or the schools. As a parent I felt that the schools began this education way too early, however, I came to find out that my oldest son already knew quite a bit from other sources way before that, and some of the information was totally wrong. Even so, when it came time to make a decision on whether or not he would be included in the school's curriculum, I had to weigh my choices based on the fact that he would get information from his peers anyways and that information might be incorrect, that he might be ostrasized by his peers because I chose to withhold him from the school's curriculum, and that he already knew too much as far as I was concerned. So, I chose to teach him much earlier than I wanted to anyways, and let him take part in the school's program. Again, it didn't stop him though. Luckily, he is now just shy of 18, and hasn't gotten himself into a bunch of trouble. But, I would be naive if I thought he hasn't been experimenting with things. Short of locking him up, all I can do is give him lots of information, tell him my views and beliefs on things, set the best example that I can, and hope he makes the right decisions for himself. This is the ultimate truth when it comes to raising children, and it really has nothing to do with someone's set of values. Your children are individuals, and are going to ultimately make their own decisions reguardless of anything you try and teach them.

Sex education should be done by the parents and done at an age that the parents think is appropriate. Every child matures at a different age.

Personally, I used to wonder why our creator would have made the male's (in particular)sexual drive so dominate during the teen years. In retrospect, it seems to me that it is that way due to a perfect way for one to learn self-control. Howbeit, it seems that isn't practiced too often now-a-days and mostly because the youth have seen the examples of their parents and others who should be leading them into a high moral standard of living and failing to do so. This does not take into account that many of the air programs leave the youthful eye to think that this is the correct action to take, after all these are their examples.

Teaching your children about abstinence does not set them up for failure. It teaches them self control and also how precious their body is and how it should be treated. I don't want my daughter to be the kind of girl that freely allows a man (or boy) to have that kind of access to her body. It should be saved for the person that loves you enough to commit their life to you not every guy that TELLS you he will commit his life to you.

Send her back to her igloo in Alaska !!!!!!

Send her back to her igloo in Alaska !!!!!!

The responsibility for teaching our children about sex and all of its potential joys and potential problems should be the parents. SHOULD BE. And so what do we do when parents bury their heads in the sand, say nothing to their daughters about pregnancy and STDs, and their sons about responsibility and possible ramifications? And it happens much more than we want to think about.

We create a curriculum that includes all forms of birth control, including abstinence, the possibility of STDs, and we give our children the message that THEY are responsibile for their behavior.

Abstinence? It seems to have worked for Ms. Palin's daughter, eh?

Before our move to Tennessee, I worked for 12 years at the Covenant House/Under 21 program in NY. Although the thrust of that program was to provide food, clothing, and shelter for displaced youth under the age of 21, one of our largest units was that comprised of teen mothers and their babies. I can't tell you how many "babies having babies" came through our doors -- largely because they'd NOT been taught by their parents or their schools about ALL the ramifications of sex act. AND, CH is a program founded by a Franciscan priest -- so all they taught was abstinence only. The recidivist rate on the Mothers & Babies floor was through the roof!

As far as Gov. Palin is concerned, her abstinence only teaching obviously fell on deaf ears; hence Bristol's current pregnancy... ya think?

I would say that Governor Palin's daughter is a prime example that preaching abstanence alone is not effective.

The poor child is 17, pregnant, forced to get married and is being embarassingly held out in national light as a model example for the pro-choice debate....which is odd when you think about it. Jamie Lynn Spears' parents were publicly ridiculed as being bad parents when their teenage daughter got pregnant.

I think that if my daughter were in this situation, I would have declined the candidacy to protect the emotional well being and avoid the complete, national humilation of my child....not used her to support a political pro-choice platform.

Communicating with your children about sex is an excellent way to build trust on a personal level. There are times when the subject can feel uncomfortable however the more you talk about such topics the easier it becomes. Sarah Palin did not commuincating with her daughter which leaves it up to a teen to make decision without any support at all, or insight and ongoing dialogue to show love to her offspring

I believe sex ed should be a parent's responsibility, but not every parent feels up to the task or takes that responsibility seriously. Sex ed in the schools is a necessity and teaching abstinence only is unrealistic and dangerous. The best intentions regarding abstinence don't matter in the heat of the moment and a teen who doesn't know how to protect him or herself if they do have sex is at great risk, both physically and emotionally. Abstinence should be taught as the preferred choice but not the only one.

Teenagers very seldom feel totally comfortable openly discussing sex with their own parents. To much attention have been given to the sexual deed in itself rather than from an early age naturally be educated through way off anatomy ,then cycles, implications, and outcome and results. Both physically and emotionally side by side relating the one to the other. Group mind seems to be important to teenagers . It may be a n exelent idea to have sex ed introduced by a trustworthy down to earth guidance teacher within the safety of school ending each secion with open discussion .The child woull ask his parents if he feels confartable. This doesn't mean you as a parent can not whenever opertunity arises include guidance without making a seen.

Sex education should start in the home at an age of 6 or so, and anyone who thinks it should start at age 16 is really out of touch with anything going on these days. Perhaps if sex was an open topic in the home then kids wouldn't be affraid to talk to parents before having sex. Why does sex need to be so taboo in this country? Having lived in this country till I was 23 and then moving to Europe I was in shock at how sex was not a big deal and by making it not a big deal kids felt free to talk about it openly with parents and peers alike. We need to educate our kids early on the dangers of unprotected sex, the joys of waiting and reality of teenage pregnancy. Sex education is something that should be in school, just as biology. When a girl starts her period you don't let it go unnoticed, you talk to her about it, well that's the time to start explaining about safe sex, but even before that you tell your child about sex organs and what's appropriate and what's not. There is too much moral ground here where people want to stand up and say, "That's not going to happen in my family." wrong it will. Sex is a great thing, we need to stop saying it's so bad, we need to explain why it's good, normal and even better when shared with a person you can trust and you have taken all steps to protect yourself and you aren't stressed about prenancy and STD's. I have a 3 year old son, I plan on teaching him gradually about sex and sign him up for any sex education classes that come up in school, and then talk about what he learned from it, and I'll be pulling my son out of the school who preaches abstinance only, because it has no place in society today, as sad as that maybe. In the day and age of rapists and child sex crimes in every nich of our lives, we have to educate kids early and have open lines of communication otherwise they may not know what's wrong or right, or feel good about coming to us when they are in danger. Just my thoughts.

I agree with Angie. Teaching abstinence doesn't work. Did Gov. Palin teach her daughter abstinence? And now she's pregnant - obviously there are better answers and education is the key.

I think that every community, state and country should pull together and work to teach abstainence to our future generations !! Our youth today need every positive role model available to help spread this "practice", with the shape the country is in with the smut and loose values they see on T.V., in their schools and communities is only reinforcing to all of our children that it is acceptable to "be a free bird and do what you want and roll the dice" so to speak with their lives and the lives of everyone around them. Teen pregnancy, STD's are rampart in the U.S. today - children having children, which might I add not only affects just the mother and father of the child, but eventually it affects our entire communities. I believe that at an early age it is practical to start reinforcing the benefits as opposed to the consequences of "play and then pay" candid teenage sex. I have FIVE chidren (17 up ) and I am proud to say that because we took the time to educate, encourage and promote the benefits of abstaining to each of them and their friends (my husband was a DARE officer), they each turned out wonderful and took vows of purity until they marry. My daughter who is 23 tells us frequently that she gets teased about it at work (in a joking sorta way) and when she hangs out with friends in school and in her social life, but for the most part - the guys (which is most important for her future) really think that it is cool! We made it our business to have open communication with our kids and this includes allowing them to see, not just hear what teen pregnancy, STD's and AIDS was really about as well as what it "looks" like. Take a few trips to community teenage pregnancy centers, visit a county morgue (I know it is a bit drastic), but the same concept worked for us to drive home the seriousness of drinking and driving !! Teaching children about sex should start at home and at an early age, then just reinforce it throughout their lives as they grow to higher levels of maturity. Join hand in hand with communities and our leaders (including the president and v.p.) if it means saving our families. As we all know, it only takes once for kids to possibly destroy their lives! Knowledge is power and that is true for every aspect of us as parents and every generation to come ! The responsibilty starts with you! :)

I think that every community, state and country should pull together and work to teach abstainence to our future generations !! Our youth today need every positive role model available to help spread this "practice", with the shape the country is in with the smut and loose values they see on T.V., in their schools and communities is only reinforcing to all of our children that it is acceptable to "be a free bird and do what you want and roll the dice" so to speak with their lives and the lives of everyone around them. Teen pregnancy, STD's are rampart in the U.S. today - children having children, which might I add not only affects just the mother and father of the child, but eventually it affects our entire communities. I believe that at an early age it is practical to start reinforcing the benefits as opposed to the consequences of "play and then pay" candid teenage sex. I have FIVE chidren (17 up ) and I am proud to say that because we took the time to educate, encourage and promote the benefits of abstaining to each of them and their friends (my husband was a DARE officer), they each turned out wonderful and took vows of purity until they marry. My daughter who is 23 tells us frequently that she gets teased about it at work (in a joking sorta way) and when she hangs out with friends in school and in her social life, but for the most part - the guys (which is most important for her future) really think that it is cool! We made it our business to have open communication with our kids and this includes allowing them to see, not just hear what teen pregnancy, STD's and AIDS was really about as well as what it "looks" like. Take a few trips to community teenage pregnancy centers, visit a county morgue (I know it is a bit drastic), but the same concept worked for us to drive home the seriousness of drinking and driving !! Teaching children about sex should start at home and at an early age, then just reinforce it throughout their lives as they grow to higher levels of maturity. Join hand in hand with communities and our leaders (including the president and v.p.) if it means saving our families. As we all know, it only takes once for kids to possibly destroy their lives! Knowledge is power and that is true for every aspect of us as parents and every generation to come ! The responsibilty starts with you! :)

It's very interesting that the same people who don't want public schools to teach sex ed are the same ones who want to make same sex marriage and abortion regulated by the government.I think that our bodies should not be federally regimented. Schools are the most logical forum for sex education. It should be part of the biology curriculum and started at least as early as eighth grade. It would be so much healthier if it were treated matter-of-factly, without embarrassment. Mystique and ignorance is the primary cause of young teenage sexual experimentation. There is published proof that teaching abstinence does not work.
It's also interesting to me that, had the VP nominee been a Democrat, the right-wingers would be screaming 'family values'. As a country, we need to start thinking and pursue knowledge, instead of a knee-jerk, emotional response when we think our 'family values' are threatened.

It absolutely is true that it is the parent's responsibility to teach the child about sex. It is exactly for this reason that I fault Governor Palin. She is obviously a failure by not teaching her daughter to practice abstinence if this is the family's choice and their values. This is exactly why I believe that Governor Palin is hypocritical advancing her daughter and the boyfriend into the public eye and ridiculing them in this form. I would think she would protect her dauther and that other young man from this frenzy. Shame on her for using them to benefit her. I do not support her or her actions.

It absolutely is true that it is the parent's responsibility to teach the child about sex. It is exactly for this reason that I fault Governor Palin. She is obviously a failure by not teaching her daughter to practice abstinence if this is the family's choice and their values. This is exactly why I believe that Governor Palin is hypocritical advancing her daughter and the boyfriend into the public eye and ridiculing them in this form. I would think she would protect her dauther and that other young man from this frenzy. Shame on her for using them to benefit her. I do not support her or her actions.

Well, it is all too obvious that with the hectic schedules demanded by the working world parents presently have much too little time to parent. Therefore, it would be advisable that teachers well educated in child psychology and sex education take up the slack in reinforcing and helping kids be aware of all the options so that they can make informed decisions; abstinence first but protection after. In an ideal world sex education should be the parents responsibility as echoed previously in most comments. But let's face it some of the parents out there were not even able to make the right decisions themselves due to lack of knowledge, underpriviledge and immaturity. Therefore are we willing to accept the perpetuation of this cycle by failing to ensure that our children have some avenue to receive the facts about sex.

Abstinance really worked for Gov. Palin's daughter!!! She should keep her cave-man attitude in her own non-functioning home and let the rest of the parents teach their own kids. She sure as heck did not do such a great job on her daughter. She does not belong in any office. Her record againse womens rights, the drilling for oil, and the killing of animals are her favorite subjects to vote for. To me she is a sociopath.

Gov Palin is not abstinence only. Please do a little research. She has been the governor and has run several campaigns in Alaska. Her viewsa re easy to find. She wants that option talked about. What she has said is that she is against very explicit sex ed--meaning unnecessarily sexual content that does not aid int he task of safe sex but just sexuality in a more general sense which does not need to be worked on in school. This is a lot of fear about a woman who shows no signs of governing as a extremist and despite all that evidence--is said to be that way. I hope the smart women on this site will look for themselves and not believe what is basically a bunch of men telling them what they know will scare women.

Sex education should be taught both at home as well as in school. Our children can use all the education they can get! I work in maternity and believe me when I say there are 12-13 year old girls that come in and deliver a beautiful baby that their mom will take care of. We, as parents, need to get back to basics and teach about abstinance. Sure there will always be kids that "do it", but maybe they will think twice. What's wrong with saving it for marriage? Teach morals. Teaching begins at home and should be reinforced and taught in school. Girls need to take pride and have something to look forward to later.

maybe the Govenor should have spoke with her own daughter. This is something you do at home. You educate your childre male or female about consequences of have sex. Diseases, pregacy,etc. I believe they listen better in one on one situations.

Sex education is as important a subject as math and science. Parents that depend on their kids not having sex until after marriange should have to support those kids - that means no government support. No tax deductions, no health insurance breaks, no free education......
People want government out of their lives - then don't be hypocrites. Why do people with kids get so many financial breaks?
Big families are a huge drag to the rest of us who are supporting your kids!!!! This is not a morality issue, it is an overpopulation issue, a financial issue, an environmental issue.

I had sex with my boyfriend when we were both 16. We used the withdrawal method and it worked for us: no unwanted pregnancy. To expect that teenagers in love will abstain from sex is very naive. Sex education should be taught in schools because a lot of parents are negligent in teaching their kids about safe sex and contraception.

As for parents who encourage their teens to get married if they become pregnant, that's just the ultimate in bad judgement. Why make a bad situation even worse? Teens don't have the maturity to get married.

It is my beleif that a good parent should raise their children, as to prepare them to be functioning adults. It is our responsibility to give them the truth and teach them to make informed decissions. Now if all parents talked to their children and gave them the truth about sex and love (including the the physiology, psycology, responsibilities, etc.) there would be no reason to have the schools teach it, however, I have found that a good number of parents are unwilling to be honest with their children about the subject. And in some cases, they are just ill equipt to even deal with the subject in their own lives. We need to be sure that our children get the information, so that when they are faced with making a decission in their lives, they will make the right one.

Abstinance only was used on teenagers in the 50s. It created unwanted pregnancies and back alley abortion related deaths to many a poor girl. Not every girl has the Palin family money to back up their mistakes.

The Government has no right family matters or business interfering with parents on abortion, sex, life styles. The government should be making sure that every American has food on their table, homes to live in, not being homeless, not sending the American people's money to all foreign lands, Our government should make sure OUR people are taken care of.
We need to get out of all foreign countries and concentrate on the American children. Making sure that every child in America is getting the best of best education, they have clothes to wear, food to eat, a place to call home, parents that love them and will cherish them for a lifetime.

There is often a disconnect between what we believe and what we do. That doesn't eliminate the truth; the truth is that abstinence will prevent pregnancy, and prevent most SID's as well.

There is often a disconnect between what we believe and what we do. That doesn't eliminate the truth; the truth is that abstinence will prevent pregnancy, and prevent most SID's as well.

The problem I believe alot of people are having is that "Abstinence and No Sex Education" is the platform of McCain's mockery of a V.P. selection and since that has been cracked in half with the pregnancy of her own 16 y.o. daughter, there is no place for the Republican party to go to defend this stance.

I am saddened that this women has chosen to put her "public" career first before her family. This isn't about simply juggling a position and having a family and being a woman. As Vice President, you are on the clock 24/7 with serious challenges and concerns. If she didn't know what the position entailed, she should not have accepted the nomination. But she did accept the nomination and now, she does need to questioned about her views and position on this topic.

This isn't about being sexiest but instead it is about the Republican party becoming accountable for their position on this topic which is contradictory. Facts speak loud.

The other issue is that our country needs a strong role model and this V.P. selection is not what the women in American need at the Executive level. She does not represent women's rights nor where we need to position ourselves for the future. Our country does not need a new generation of Baby Mommy's who are clueless.

I belive that our public educational curriculum needs to be overhauled with Sex Education not only mandatory but also Personal Communications - how to talk the right way about difficult issues to one another. Both of these topics could be taught simultaneously and hand-in-hand from as young as 12 years old through high school. Perhaps even welcome parents to attend these classes as well. I am sure that many of these parents would welcome this opportunity.

Imagine how wonderful our world can become when all young children can learn the fundamental basics about their own sexuality and how to communicate effectively and openly as educated individuals in our society!!!

Knowledge is power and we owe it to our society to give all individuals the opportunity to learn about sex, how to talk about sex and how to communicate effectively from trained instructors.

It's time that we take one giant step forward and put an end to "Teen Age Pregnancy" especially at this time in our history.

Babies having babies does not produce a healthy home-front, community nor country.

Home first, the school. The reality is STD is high all over the world and I don't think kids are thinking about the consequences, not just pregnancy, so I endorse to teach them at home and at school, with all the sex material on tv and in movies, they need to realize that is not the real world. Making good choices about your life is smart, so I think we need to educate them any way they can. They need to understand "Cause and Effect."

It's unfortunate that there are people like conservamom5.After 30+years as a nurse , the last 15 in HIV /AIDS care, no one should take the chance that kids are not prepared for what is out there,"bullet-proof" or not. STD's can make you sterile, then no grandchildren... And if these children should have the unfortunate dilemnas that are the result of poor information , I'm afraid that the government should not then bear the burden of not only medical expenses but subsequent financial subsidies that could also occur. Parents who do not want their children fully informed, should then opt out and sign a waiver that if things "go wrong", that they will fully be responsible for the consequences.

I believe that it's good for the schools to teach abstinence but they should be realistic and inform the students about the consequences if they decide to go through with having sex. I wish my mom talked to me more but I learned what I learned through school, friends and trial and error. I have 4 children of my own now and I don't plan on having the views of a school being the first step in informing my children about sex, as well as the fact that when a parents speaks to their children there's also a part of morality that's taught along with that lesson and a bond that no one can take away.

My personal opinion on it is simple. Are they that fearful to think our social society is that stupid, that we can not teach our children about sex? It seems to me that there is a sense of the government feeling more superior over our children. What a load of shit! I’m sure our children would feel the same that they, or there parents know more. It is the age in which we live in. It almost reminds me of residential schools for the aboriginal people. The same method is being used except what they will be turning our children in scares me to think about it. The republicans seem to love to go backwards; it is obvious that we need to go forward when it comes to this issue. Although that is not to say that some cultures of people have been known to prohibit such discussions. Some of it is even religiously motivated. Is it really an American duty to let those communities go with out some form of education on sex, should it be primarily based on those specific communities rather then the American community? The more we educate our children in sexual intercourse, the dangers and the good things even, the responsibilities of both sex and having a kid, then general development of a child and you during pregnancy. The more they will be responsible in there decisions, at lest one hopes. Parents need to talk earlier before kids develop attitudes, with there parents about such discussions. This is usually do to there social environment. I got tolled about it from my parents when I was 8 and still I had questions till about 14 then we started learning it in school on the more biological stand point. But we can't always blame the government and say don't touch our kids mind. Alimentally we have to be the ones then to stand up to the plate and talk to them about it. Responsibility works both ways!

Catherine a 23 year old

The problem I believe alot of people are having is that "Abstinence and No Sex Education" is the platform of McCain's mockery of a V.P. selection and since that has been cracked in half with the pregnancy of her own 16 y.o. daughter, there is no place for the Republican party to go to defend this stance.

I am saddened that this women has chosen to put her "public" career first before her family. This isn't about simply juggling a position and having a family and being a woman. As Vice President, you are on the clock 24/7 with serious challenges and concerns. If she didn't know what the position entailed, she should not have accepted the nomination. But she did accept the nomination and now, she does need to be questioned about her views and position on this topic.

This isn't about being sexiest but instead it is about the Republican party becoming accountable for their position on this topic which is contradictory. Facts speak loud.

The other issue is that our country needs a strong role model and this V.P. selection is not what the women in American need at the Executive level. She does not represent women's rights nor where we need to position ourselves for the future. Our country does not need a new generation of Baby Mommy's who are clueless.

I believe that our public educational curriculum needs to be overhauled with Sex Education not only mandatory but also Personal Communications - how to talk the right way about difficult issues to one another. Both of these topics could be taught simultaneously and hand-in-hand from as young as 12 years old through high school. Perhaps even welcome parents to attend these classes as well. I am sure that many of these parents would welcome this opportunity.

Imagine how wonderful our world can become when all young children can learn the fundamental basics about their own sexuality and how to communicate effectively and openly as educated individuals in our society!!!

Knowledge is power and we owe it to our society to give all individuals the opportunity to learn about sex, sexuality, how to prevent pregnancy, how to talk about sex and how to communicate effectively from trained instructors.

It's time that we take one giant step forward and put an end to "Teen Age Pregnancy" especially at this time in our history.

Babies having babies does not produce a healthy home-front, community nor country.

I am in full agreement with Sarah Palin. Abstinence before marriage is the only thing God allows.

It should be left to the parents. In this day and age, I don't think there are many parents out there who would have a problem talking with their children about sex. My daughter took it in school last year, 5th grade, she was 10 years old. Way to young in my opinion for most kids that age, I don't even think they can begin to grasp this stuff. I didn't mind her taking it, because we had already talked and do so freely, I am very honest with her about everything. The school, I just don't think, handled it appropriately.

As a mother of four (the youngest is 17), and having been the mother of a pregnant 17-year old myself, I can say I DO NOT agree with Sarah Palin on this. Actually I don't agree with her on most issues, but definitely not the issue of abstinance only education. It doesn't work, it's NEVER worked. Kids need information on sex, birth control, STDs, and abstinance. Most parents who support abstinance only education,don't actually "educate" their kids on those things, they just say "don't have sex" and pretend that if you don't discuss it they won't think about it. Teenagers need specific reasons why early sex is not in their best interest, and then some will still make bad decisions. Hello, do you remember being a rebellious teen?

I live in Utah, one seriously uptight, abstinace only education state, and we have a very high teenage pregnancy rate. We have since I was a teenager. It's partically covered up by a lot of quick underage marriages; another thing I disagree with Sarah Palin on. As someone who got married at 17, I vowed not to sign the papers for any of my kis to get married. They would have to be 18 and legal adults. Who you are when you are 17 is not who you are at 30, and it's a bad idea to compound one mistake with another one.

Sex education should be a part of the schools science curriculum. We are a body of science and how our bodies work should be taught in a scientific way. You can't discuss reproduction without discussing ways to prevent it. You can't talk about diseases and omit sexually transmitted diseases because it goes outside of your comfort zone. An uneducated child is a child destined for failure. You can teach sex education in a way where it does not offend a persons moral values. Morality is a personal point of view that has nothing to do with science. One more thing, if the gov't. doesn't step in they will have to later when they are supplying your child with Welfare and or Medication for the STD they've contracted from not being armed with the knowledge they needed to make better decisions.

I think she has already expierienced first hand the results of teaching abstinance only to teenagers. Of all people, she should know that sex ed requires an overall view of every option out there for young people.

If having a teenage daughter pregnant isn't enough to open up her view of sex-ed, I don´t know what to expect of her views on the world.

It took many years of bad examples to develop the problems we have today.
I am for abstinence and teaching sex to all the kids; but, at the same time we have to make them aware of a few things: After a point there will be no return ¡don´t let things and foreplay take you there!; the emotional burden of caring for a child; the economic and moral pressures that suffer a young girl married (or worst: unmarried).
Abstinence will never stop pregnancies; however if repeated enough and through the media, it will reduce, eventually, the early pregnancies and promiscuity that causes so many moral, economic and health issues.

YOU all talk about Abstinence and the shame of the daughter being pregnant. Well you can teach abstinence its another to get someone to do it. Lets just look....... Your taught do not kill but some folks think murder is fair game. Then Your taught to be honest and there are many liars in this world. You can jaw all you want but Palins belief on abstinence is right. And its not all the daughters fault either. There are many guys with octupus hands and it puts girls in trouble. Guys like to point fingers of blame but they are biggest reason of this problem. Girls dont get pregnant by themselves. And good girls get caught in the trap of guys the same way bad girls do. So you can talk sex ed and abstinence all you want but why dont you stop and think before you get on your high horses.

Abstinence should be taught ALONG with sex ed. It's a choice that needs to be presented too. Growing up in a religious community, none of my friends made it to their "marriage bed" a virgin, though we all lied to our moms that we did.
I'm not going to assume the my kids will either, so I'd rather them know how to protect themselves if they choose to have sex before marriage.

and this is coming from a mother with a pregnant unmarried 17 year old.........this woman is dangerous for the environment and also for our country !!!!!!!!!!

Well, gee, I guess her daughter is "exhibit A" as to why it's a foolish notion to go the "abstinence ONLY" route. I remember being a teenager and thinking that it might be interesting to just try anything my parents told me to absolutely stay away from. Add into that raging hormones and it can be a recipe for disaster. Add into it a mother who's ambitions are so great as to thrust her pregnant teen into the national spotlight, and it's just plain cruel.

I think the government feels it needs to step in seeing how government funded programs are paying for the health care for these teens in some cases and also for the child once it's born. We can't have it one way and not the other. If we are going to accept help from the government, they will want to dictate to us how we receive this help and in some cases prevent the future need for it. I'm ok with my son learning in high school that if you have sex you are at risk for disease or babies or BOTH! I am also teaching this to him at home. But abstinence is not the answer. That's just being naive. We know it doesn't work and so does Palin.

I think that schools should educate students about sex. I mean, after all, it is important to learn about our anatomy and how people are born. The safe sex part should be taught warning about STD's and the use of a condom. What should also be said is that no matter how well you use a condom, it is not going to 100% keep a girl from getting pregnant. Condoms are not fool-proof, and yes, pregnancy can happen even after one time having sex. Therefore, THE BEST WAY to keep from getting STD's and getting pregnant is to PRACTICE ABSTINENCE. I'm not saying all kids will abstain from having sex. Unfortunately, in the end we will not be able to be there during that crucial moment when a kid, or anyone for that matter, is faced with the temptation to have sex. All we can do is to educate kids on what the consequences of sex are, and what responsibilities are required if a pregnancy results. So, like I said before, kids needs to be taught, whether at home or at school, that abstinence is the only 100% kind of safe sex!

It is the responsibility of all in the community. Sarah Palin is an outstanding role model who is educated and wears glasses. Her daughter is human, but Sarah was too busy making a living to be in her life. Working mommies have it harder than stay @ home mommies. Sarah Palin is setting a good role for our messed up society and she sets a fine example of the working mommie with children. It is sad to think that she cannot teach her daughter what she preaches, however she has to feed her face also and now her daughter's face and a new husband's face @ taxpayers money. My opinion is that it takes a village, but we cannot control every teen's move and if they will have sex or not. We have 30 years of birth control also. I really can't say on this one. My mother told me "Keep your damn legs shut" hehe It worked with me. ( :

I was taught sex ed at a very early age. I think we started having sex ed classes when I was eight years old in school in Texas. I already knew all about it from my mom, and then the school held optional classes that parents had to approve their child attend. Those classes happened every year (until i moved to NC where NO sex ed was taught and girls I personally knew were having sex at 11 years old.) In those classes, we were taught the benefits of abstinence, the ways to stay safe from STD's and pregnancy, and all of the awful STDs that you could catch along with very graphic and disgusting pictures.

True, I believe that it is the parents PRIVILEGE to teach their children about sex, but what about those parents that dont? Those that are too scared? I had girls in my Junior year of high school who had been having sex for years asking me very basic questions about sex and STD's and pregnancy. Things that they should have known before even kissing a boy. Those girls are at a disadvantage. They are involving themselves in a situation that they should have information about beforehand, but their parents did not give them that info, and they didnt have access to it anywhere else.

So those people, those children, enter blindly into a situation that can and WILL change their whole lives.

I had sex at 16 years old, and some argue that it was because i was taught about sex, that i engaged in it so early. But BECAUSE i was taught about sex, I am 25 and never been pregnant, I have always protected myself against STD's and I have ALWAYS been safe.

The friends of mine who did not have that info, or were told that sex should never happen... STILL HAD SEX... People have sex... but they did not have the info that they needed to make an educated decision. They, therefore have STD's, have been raped, and have been pregnant.

Abstinence only education does not work 98% of the time. People, Teenagers are going to have sex whether they know about it or not. My belief is that they are more likely to have sex when they know NOTHING about it.

I think Palin has taken the most selfish, unspeakable action as a mother by putting her sexually uneducated daughter in the limelight for Palin's own personal gain. I think the example she is setting for parents is disgusting and dispicable. As a mother of four children I always made a conscious hoice to try and do what was best for "my child"; not what was best for me and let my child suffer the consequences. We as parents are responsible for the molding of an individual person and the quality of that person's emotional life during their time on this planet. This teenage daughter of Palin's is being used as a pawn in the game of religious dogma which should not be in politics. Shame on Palin. Shame on McCain and shame on the GOP. Shame is what we are left with when ignorance runs rampant in the reality of life.

Palin, no doubt, is a energetic and enthusiastic woman. However, her positions on things such as the abstinence only question and others, only underscores her lack of exposure to the world and her overestimation of her own capabilities. As glad as I am to have seen women make a mark in this electoral process finally, I in no way can endorse this woman who has no more qualifications or experience than many, many other women in this country. And her willing to be accept the VP nomination is frightening! Either she grossly underestimates the requirements of the job should the President die; OR she grossly overestimates her own achievements and capabilities. No thinking person....and certainly no thinking woman....could endorse her or her "positions" ....JUST BECAUSE SHE IS A WOMAN.

I was a virgin when I married in 1961. However, I was the only one that I know of in my whole large high school. Most were paired off by 8th grade. I believe there were abortions and girls that went away and gave up their babies for adoption. My mother was a stay at home mom all my life so I didn't get by with much. I did marry too early, barely 18 and had a baby 2 wks before my 20th birthday. I wish I had taught my children abstinence. Not out of shame or guilt which is how I was taught, but for the possible consequences of unwanted pregnancy or std's. Children should be taught anatomy, but they also need to be taught what it feels like to one day wake up and be a teenager with raging hormones. Unfortunately, consequences don't often register with the young because they haven't yet experienced them. And the whole teenage inability to think anything bad can happen to them. Anyway, if Sarah Palin promotes abstinence, how successful was she? She was married pregnant and now her daughter???? We have to give our children tools to protect themselves because Sarah would be proof positive that abstinence alone doesn't always work. It needs to be part of our responsibility as parents but it should also be supported by school and church. It amazes me that anyone can preach one thing and live another and still be applauded for the preaching. Hypocritical to say the least. I don't like abortion, but I really hate seeing a child brought into an abusive situation where they are beaten, maimed and even killed. Plus the same government that preaches against abortion takes away all the programs to help because not every situation is like the Palin's. This is the closest thing I have seen to the shotgun wedding since I was very young. Thank you.

I was taught sex ed at a very early age. I think we started having sex ed classes when I was eight years old in school in Texas. I already knew all about it from my mom, and then the school held optional classes that parents had to approve their child attend. Those classes happened every year (until i moved to NC where NO sex ed was taught and girls I personally knew were having sex at 11 years old.) In those classes, we were taught the benefits of abstinence, the ways to stay safe from STD's and pregnancy, and all of the awful STDs that you could catch along with very graphic and disgusting pictures.

True, I believe that it is the parents PRIVILEGE to teach their children about sex, but what about those parents that dont? Those that are too scared? I had girls in my Junior year of high school who had been having sex for years asking me very basic questions about sex and STD's and pregnancy. Things that they should have known before even kissing a boy. Those girls are at a disadvantage. They are involving themselves in a situation that they should have information about beforehand, but their parents did not give them that info, and they didnt have access to it anywhere else.

So those people, those children, enter blindly into a situation that can and WILL change their whole lives.

I had sex at 16 years old, and some argue that it was because i was taught about sex, that i engaged in it so early. But BECAUSE i was taught about sex, I am 25 and never been pregnant, I have always protected myself against STD's and I have ALWAYS been safe.

The friends of mine who did not have that info, or were told that sex should never happen... STILL HAD SEX... People have sex... but they did not have the info that they needed to make an educated decision. They, therefore have STD's, have been raped, and have been pregnant.

Abstinence only education does not work 98% of the time. People, Teenagers are going to have sex whether they know about it or not. My belief is that they are more likely to have sex when they know NOTHING about it.

I believe (having three kids of my own), that each family should discuss with their children about sex, and at age appropriate times. However, I also agree that there are parents who won't discuss this with their children, which they learn from friends or wherever other than at home. This is a very poor parenting decision. The schools should not have the authority to discuss sex with our kids--that should be the parents' job--that's why you're parents. You accepted the responsibility by becoming pregnant, why leave the teaching of morals and values to someone else? Additionally, there are many resources available for kids and parents to seek for help in learning about sex--such as books (where the kid get's one book and the parent gets another), plus there are non-profit organizations that have educational classes, from trained people, not the science teacher teaching about sex, or whoever it might end up being.

I think sex education is primarily a family matter. If in school,it can be taught with facts, regarding anatomy, physiology fine, but please leave the moral lessons to the family. BTW- it is not a disease, so to say it should be taught just like "other diseases" is ridiculous. To suggest that the public or the press has any real information as to Gov. Palin's teaching to her children is likewise ridiculous unless the individuals who have been spouting so self- righteously, have been living with the Palins, I don't know how they can be so very positive in their criticism of Ms. Palin's role as mother/teacher in her own family.
Absinence programs support behavior that will leave children/young adults disease free. These programs encourage behavior which allows them to mature more emotionally; to grow, becoming more responsible adults who are better ready, educationally, financially and emotionally to accept the responsibilites that come with having sex and possibly conceiving a child.

I truly believe that sex education should start at home and should continue in school as well. I was brought up in a strict Catholic home and went to parochial schools all my life, I was never allowed to even mention sex in my home and of course it was never mentioned in school by the nuns. I believe that it is a parents responsibility to teach your children that they do have a choice and if they choose the wrong one, they are left to handle the problems that exists with teen pregnancy. I have three adult children and all three were taught about sex at home by both my husband and myself. All my children made the right choices and now they are married with families of their own. To this day they thank both my husband and myself for educating them and making them aware of birth control and abstinence.

As far as Sarah Palin is concerned, I find it almost impossible to believe that she can be so religious and yet her 17 year old daughter is pregnant. Obviously abstinence did not work in her home. Maybe if she openly discussed with her daughters the affects of getting pregnant when they are so young, they might have made a different decision. I cannot understand forcing a 17 year old girl into getting married to a young boy who is obviously not ready to start a family. I am surprised the Ms. Palin who is such a career minded women, would be happy with her daughters not going to college and having babies at the age of 17. What about education. What kinds of job is that boy of 18 going to get if he is not even educated. It is such nonsense. The fact that she does not even believe in abortion in cases of rape and incest. You mean that if a woman is raped by some kind of pervert, she would be forced to carry that man's child. This country has come such a long way since abortion became legal. I remember back to the times when women went for back door abortions and died or were sterile for life. What makes her think that if she repeals the abortion laws people would not get abortions. We would go back to back alley abortions. I think this women is the epitome of these hypocritical bible thumping people who say one thing and behind closed doors do something else. I think a true christian woman would stay at home with her children and raise them, especially a child with a birth defect. No she is marching around the country parading that poor baby for votes. A true christian woman would not be involved with the running for various political offices. That is what they are suppose to believe according to them. So what a hypocrite. She is forcing her religious beliefs on everyone in the country but not practicing them herself. Didn't I read that a true christian women should be subserviant to her husband and should be running her household not the country. Where are all of those evangelist out there who preach these words all the time, how come no one is out there condemning her. No instead they are urging her on. I thought that christian men say that its is against God's word to serve under woman, how come its okay for Sarah Palin. No, its a frightening thing to think this woman could be in the White House if something happened to McCain. I think everyone out there should start praying now that this team does not get elected. If they do, I personally am asking God to protect me and my family for these wolves is sheeps clothing.

I am curious about the people who say that the government has no business teaching our kids about sex it's a parents responsibility, I hope then that they also believe that religion of any sort also has no place in public schools

I am a student who had both, the parent talk to me as well as the school. I personally think that the school was better when explaining the dangers and the precautions about sex. I love my mom, with all my heart, but because she is my mom, there were things I was not comfortable talking to her about. And since I am her baby, she waiting too long to tell me, I already heard about sex from my friends and from everywhere surrounding me.

Now when I was curious enough, that made me believe I wanted sex, I went to talk to my mother on her own. I told her what I was thinking about, and asked her what precautions I should take.

Now as far as school goes, because I was with my friends I was able to be more comfortable with the subject. I was able to understand it a little more because I was able to concentrate, where as with my mom, I was alone. I felt like she was gaining on me, and I didn't want to listen.

I think they should tell students the truth, and the truth about everything. They should not just preach abstinence, they should say, that's great, but just in case that does not stand, then here are some precautions to take.

Because of different students with different relationships to the parents. I believe it should be up to the student to decide whether or not they should be taught by the school, or by their parents. Or maybe parents should just step up, and not be afraid of talking about it, because it's never to early. To me sex is just like drugs, if you wait until the last minute, when you think something is going on, then more than likely it already has and it's too late.

So as far as age, sixth grade, although it seems early, would be the perfect time because they are leaving that little kid world and going into the adolescenes world. And all they want is to fit in, and they can't if they don't have the right information to do so.

At what point do parents say enough is enough and take charge of being parents instead of trying to be their child's best friend. Each family is responsible for the upbringing of their children and that should not be left to the schools. If the family is timid about the teaching then take the children somewhere where they can learn the facts, not on the school ground. The thing that truly disturbs me is this constant conflict between the stay-at-home moms and the working moms. We have to work together to make this a strong place for our children not condemn one another. Condemning Sarah Palin for her child being pregnant is pretty interesting - think about it ladies - how many of you would have been pregnant, or have daughters that could be pregnant but for whatever you believe to be true about that not happening. Before you cast that proverbial stone please stop and think about that.

Sex education is a very personal question for any family. I am the product of it should not be in the schools and taught at home. My entire education was wait till your married. That and getting your period was all I was taught by my mother, forget my dad he never said anything. I think the family moral values should be taught by the parents but children should be taught about abstinance, birth control and sti's. They should be at age appropriate levels. I think we should give our children all the knowledge needed for them to make informed choices in their lives. I have found that while promise rings and such are great at teaching the morality of sexual behavior kids, should also know the what choices are out there. I also wonder, after hearing stories from my son and his friends when they were in high school, how many of these kids are engaging in oral, anal or mutual mastrabation sex, just so they can remain 'pure'. Sex is sex the hymen does not have be broken to have it as I think alot of people know.

Wow! What does it say about this generation of parents when so many are so willing to abdicate their responsibilities to the local and federal levels of government! STDs are increasing among teens, (check the CDC for verification) some of which are actually more resistant to treatments, AIDS research is slow going and we want our schools to give our children information to keep their bodies safe! Total madness!!Gird your loins ladies and gents and talk straight to your kids. Yes hormones rage, duh, but just giving them condoms and hoping for the best is NOT better than frank talk about abstaining. There is so much more at stake besides self esteem, self respect and pregnancy. These kids need us in their lives more than ever with the constant barage of sex in all forms of advertising and all over the TV, you cannot watch a sport channel without seeing at least one ED drug ad per commercial break. It is everywhere and to not inform them of the serious nature of the consequences is neglect in it's basic form. Every girl is someones daughter/sister/friend, every boy is someones Son/brother/friend. We need to care enough about their future to teach them HOW to abstain and why, but along with that is a need to teach them how to be respectful of themselves and others and if their hormones are allowed to rule, how to protect themselves and their partner.

Sex Ed in school is fantastic. If we are doing our job as parents, it is only reinforcing what we have already told our children. I prefer my children abstain, but realistically, it isn't going to happen. So, I EDUCATE, and make it pretty difficult for them to find a minute (face it, that is all it takes) to have sex. Down to basics, there isn't one politician out there whom I would trust to educate our children on morally acceptable behavior.

It obviously didn't work in her own family and it is not a realistic expectation for any teen. Let's put the hypocritical garbage aside and ask if she stands for anything really important in her possible job as VP, or worse yet, as President.

Hmmm one wonders if she taught her daughter abstinence and if so what does this tell us about her ability to be an effective VP.

I think that all options should be taught in school - with parents able to sit in on the classes at will and unannounced. It is a delicate subject and people aren't always comfortable with the teaching of sex education - but sex education and morals are quite different - I do not want, have never wanted the school to tell my child the difference between right and wrong - that is my job. But also always wished there had been a really good sex education class to tell them the medical facts about STDs to supplement what I told them. Sometimes hearing it from someone other than a parent is more effective - kids sometimes think parents use scare tactics. Let's face it some kids need someone to turn to with questions and surprise, parents aren't always the first choice.

In an ideal world, all parents would be insightful, intelligent, open-minded, and courageous enough to talk to their kids about sex. This is not an ideal world. Some parents choose to ignore the topic all-together, while others teach their kids that sex is wrong, shameful, dirty, etc. Children deserve to be taught the FACTS about sex by a knoweldgable and reliable source in a safe environment.

Abstinence-only education doesn't do anyone any favors. A person can always choose to remain abstinent - it is an option - but if they are going to have sex they should at least be given the tools to do so responsibly.

I heard the argument the other day that perhaps Palin's daughter is mature and responsible for a 17-yr-old girl. Maybe she is. But if she were, the odds are that she would have been mature and responsible enough to prevent this pregnancy in the first place...had the option been provided to her.

My opinion on all this is simply put, it's my responsibility as a mother to teach my children, both sons and daughters about sexual education. Your morals may not be my morals and your morals could be sometjing I don't want my children to know. I feel that my children are going to take from the conversations about sex what they need to take from it and I would much rather have that come from me than from anyone else out there. I know what I want to impart to my children and I know the paths I want them to take so for the past 18 years, that is what I have been teaching them. They know how to be in a productive, functioning relationship as I have been with the same man for 14 years. Yes, I was divorced and re-married but that, by no means, leaves a black mark on my marriage as it stands today. My husband is an excellent provider and the kids want for nothing so we are living the example and my opinion is simply, if you are not living the example, how are you going to educate my children about something as serious and as life altering as this? I have an 18 year old son, who is still a virgin; I have a soon to be 17 year old son, who is still a virgin; and I have a 14 year old daughter who has decided ON HER OWN to remain a virgin until she is married. I told my children how I had a son out of wedlock and that it wasn't the best choice I made, but I feel that God allows us to go through things for a reason and I feel I went through that process so that I could speak from example when I tell my children how that is not the best route to take. I am a very proud parent of my children and no matter what they decide to do with their lives, they have already surpassed many in this day and age. My daughter for one is 14 and will not even consider having sex with someone she is not married to. This is not something I think. This is something that I know. I know people say you don't know what your children are doing when they are out of your sight and I believe that to a point. Because my children and I have such an open relationship where we talk about EVERYTHING from school grades to drugs to sex to games...you name it, we talk about it...I feel like if they wanted to have sex, they would come to me because we have also discussed protection if abstinance isn't going to work for them or if they don't think it will work for them. My children know the results of having sex as we have several members of our family with young teen mothers and teen fathers and my children are allowed to watch the struggle first hand so I have tons of examples to show them and as long as we keep an open relationship and a relationship with God, I don't worry too much about them and if someone tells them anything other than what we have disucssed, they will come to me and ask me what was meant. The key here is knowledge. Knowledge is power and it is up to us as parents to educate our children. After all, God gave them to us and not to the government.

I do believe that it school ed and parental ed. The moment when parents notice their daughter start talking about boys or boys calling. Parents should be start educating their kids about sex. If the monther and father present in the household the mother should talk to the daugther and fathers to the boys. That is why it is imperative for mothers to have more time to be able to observe what is going on their children expecially to their minor daughters. Gov Palin should have been more attentive what was going on to her daughter. She may be a good politician but charity begins at home.

Sex education is a subject best handled by those that know what the subject is about. I feel the education should come from the parent but not all parents are capable of handling the matter. The best information may be handled by the schools and secondly reenforced by the parent. The government has no place in sex education other than maybe providing printed materials or handouts. Formal classes are no place for them. Too much influence from the one presenting the class unless done by standardized means.

How many of you practiced abstinence? How many people do you know who practiced abstinence until they were married. I can think of two.

Get your head out of the sand. Our young people need to have sex education from both the home and in our educational system. It's a "no brainer".

Sex is a public issue, it involves the public health and welfare. Someone who doesn't understand basic issues is a danger to society so it is in the national interest that everyone has good sex education and the parents or churches have no right to interfere in this matter. They are free to educate any way they want regarding ethics and morals.
Birth control and abortion are also public issues and should not be interfered with. The legalization of abortion was a reaction to a public problem, too many back alley abortions jeopardizing womens lives period. Everything else is a persons own choice.
Sexuality is too basic and important to human behavior to be left in the hands of churches period. This kind of repression is endangering our society mentally and physically the world over and it should be stopped. Ignorance and fear perpetuated by institutions of social control and particularly by celebate authorities is detrimental to the public health and welfare.

My opinion on all this is simply put, it's my responsibility as a mother to teach my children, both sons and daughters about sexual education. Your morals may not be my morals and your morals could be something I don't want my children to know. I feel that my children are going to take from the conversations about sex what they need to take from it and I would much rather have that come from me than from anyone else out there. I know what I want to impart to my children and I know the paths I want them to take so for the past 18 years, that is what I have been teaching them. They know how to be in a productive, functioning relationship as I have been with the same man for 14 years. Yes, I was divorced and re-married but that, by no means, leaves a black mark on my marriage as it stands today. My husband is an excellent provider and the kids want for nothing so we are living the example and my opinion is simply, if you are not living the example, how are you going to educate my children about something as serious and as life altering as this? I have an 18 year old son, who is still a virgin; I have a soon to be 17 year old son, who is still a virgin; and I have a 14 year old daughter who has decided ON HER OWN to remain a virgin until she is married. I told my children how I had a son out of wedlock and that it wasn't the best choice I made, but I feel that God allows us to go through things for a reason and I feel I went through that process so that I could speak from example when I tell my children how that is not the best route to take. I am a very proud parent of my children and no matter what they decide to do with their lives, they have already surpassed many in this day and age. My daughter for one is 14 and will not even consider having sex with someone she is not married to. This is not something I think. This is something that I know. I know people say you don't know what your children are doing when they are out of your sight and I believe that to a point. Because my children and I have such an open relationship where we talk about EVERYTHING from school grades to drugs to sex to games...you name it, we talk about it...I feel like if they wanted to have sex, they would come to me because we have also discussed protection if abstinance isn't going to work for them or if they don't think it will work for them. My children know the results of having sex as we have several members of our family with young teen mothers and teen fathers and my children are allowed to watch the struggle first hand so I have tons of examples to show them and as long as we keep an open relationship and a relationship with God, I don't worry too much about them and if someone tells them anything other than what we have disucssed, they will come to me and ask me what was meant. The key here is knowledge. Knowledge is power and it is up to us as parents to educate our children. After all, God gave them to us and not to the government.

I THINK NO MATTER WHAT YOU WANT YOUR CHILDREN TO DO ,,THEY WILL MAKE A CHOICE ON THEIR OWN,WE HAVE TO REMEMBER SEX IS A NATURAL HUMAN FEELING AND AT THE MOMENT NO ONE WILL GOING TO STOP TO THINK IF THEY SHOULD DO IT OR NOT,WE LIKE PARENTS CAN GIVE THE ADVISE AND WARNINGS ,BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN IS GOING TO WORK,IS OBVIOUS DID NOT WORK FOR THIS FAMILY AT ALL,,,TEACH YOUR CHILDREN THE BEST YOU CAN AND WISH FOR THE BEST,,ABSTINENCE ,,IS NOT THE ANSWER THEY WOULD LIE ABOUT IT,,THE ANSWER IS TAKE PRECAUTIONS AND BE RESPONSIBLE WITH YOUR ACTIONS....KETTY,,,MOTHER OF FOUR AND FOUR GRAND KIDS...

Although I believe that it is the parents place to talk to children about sex, I think having a basic course in school would be helpful. Alot of children are probably like me, I had no idea what to even ask. When it came time for me to get married and have sex for the first time, I had no idea what to even say when my mother asked me if there was anything I wanted to know. My first time was a little awkward and uncomfortable because I wasn't 100% sure what was happening to me or him. I mean, I had a basic idea how things were done, but there were things I would never have thought to ask. I therefore think there needs to be a course in the school taught by someone who is qualified to teach it. There needs to be some sort of handout that the children can take home and discuss with their parents. Maybe that way, more kids won't be so embarrassed about talking about sex with their parents, and teen pregnancy will go down.

Unfortunately, at this time in history, we as a society seem to have regressed and not grown. Our government and politics now involve too many religious views, which Governor Palin's indeed are. Our country no longer truly adheres to separation of church and state, as is evident particularly since the inauguration of George W. Bush. The good old USA is leaning strongly toward the Christian religion and belief system. There will always be arguments about religion, however, I certainly never thought they would enter our government as they have done and find it very dismaying and discerning.

It's obvious that what ever Gov. palin was teaching at home was not working. Wake up and smell the coffee. I think sex ed. is a good thing. She should have tried it, it might have held her with her daughter.

My Opinion

Unfortunately, it seems that the public school system has cut back on many things that I believe are vital to a well-rounded education--one of them being health ed. I agree with many of you who feel that the schools need to address the subject in such a manner that keeps any moral issues out of it. I remember having a special class after school in 6th grade having to do with female health issues--it was good information taught appropriately. Just the scientific facts. Further along in school (9th grade, so we were 14 or 15 years old), we had a mandatory weekly class on health education. This included sex ed, and it was for both boys and girls in the same class. Sure, there was some snickering during the class, but it helps both sexes know about what occurs in the male and female body and the importance of contraception to protect from STD's and unwanted pregnancy. Again, just the scientific facts. There were far fewer teen pregnancies, at least in my area, in the 70's. We must keep issues of church and state separate when it comes to politics. This is clearly not the case with the Republican party and their choice for VP candidate. I can't even say her name--she makes me sick.

It's all very simple. Abstinence is fine, who has to go around having sex all the time when they are under say 18-20 years old? There are other ways to enjoy yourself. My Mother in the 1950's told me this...
A. Who wants a baby when they are not married or prepared for one, and
B. It is always the girl who gets the bad reputation and stuck with the care.
So, I decided then that was not for me. I taught my daughter's the same way and they had no problem with it. One has a baby now and is married; the other is married to her career. They are bright, loving, worthwhile citizens. Get over the preoccupation with sex. Get a life. Sex is great under the right circumstances.

Sex ed should be taught at home first. It is a basic value also. Sex ed at school should be taught from a scientific point of view. It is ultimately up to the parent to raise a child and give them values.
Gov. Palin can't have it both ways and, from my point of view she thinks she can. If you don't want your kids in the spotlight, don't parade them around at the convention. Pregnant daughter, special needs child, gifted children...whoever. I also don't think she qualifies to speak on special needs children yet. I have a friend who has raised a special needs child for 20 years. She knows the ups the downs, the ins and the outs. It really irked me that Palin used that card, saying she would help families with special needs kids...Did she say that last year?

Gove. Sarah Palin can instruct and tutor her daughter all she wants and do a very fine job, as well. However, hormones in a 17 year old as well as the 19 year old Father are difficult for any parent to compete.
I am certain this beautiful, intelligent woman did all she could. Todd Palin is also a very full time devoted Father. Remember, the daughter is not running for election. This unplanned pregnancy is something which occurs in many American families.
I support Gov. Sarah Palin.

Where did self-control and common sense go? I think sex, pregnancy and marriage too soon are quite regrettable in life's timetable.

I think her abstinence program should have been started in Alaska. Doesn't it occur to most Americans that her "soapboxing" on the issue of teenage sexual activity and education smacks of hypocrasy, given her family history? Oh, that's right, we're not supposed to bring her family into the political arena, yet here is the GOP, parading her future "son-in-law" (and present "grandbaby daddy") to the convention.
I agree that morals should not be taught in a school program, ie. whether to have sex or not - that is each an every parent's responsibility to teach our children properly. However, knowledge is power, and teaching our children what is out there: unwanted pregnancy, disease, etc., is not wrong. Hiding their heads in the sand is. Hiding facts from our children will not make those facts disappear.
Once again, returning to the Palins, what kind of morals were instilled in their eldest daughter? One must wonder.

Sex education is the responsiblity of the parents, of the schools, of the extended family . . . everyone who is in contact with not only the high school child, however also now the parent of our middle school children as well who are also actively having sexual relationships. Indeed abstinance should be the number one birth control means--however knowing that should be the number one birth control-reality must also be considered and other birth control methods need to be included in the education as well as the STDs that accompany having sexual relations and indeed the end result of some of those STDs are not just an embarassement, however can be lethal and they are lengthy, ugly, sad, painful deaths. Part of Florence Nightingale's nursing to the military troops included fulfilling their sexual needs which resulted in her acquiring syphyllis--and the cause of her death. Different times however, similar issues.

No, I do not agree with Gov Palin. There are too many temptations out there for kids in todays world. Her fiance Levi Johnston did not look very happy at the Convention and this will not solve the problem of Teen Pregnancy. This marriage will probably end in Divorce, I do not think it was in his plans and lets face it boys of that age have one thing on their mind and it sure not Marriage, they are too inmature. Thats the real world.

I absolutely agree with Gov. Palin. Teaching kids absitence is the only American value. Teaching children about sex is a sin. (By children I am referring to people under the age of 21.) Sexual activity among people who are not married with the blessings of Jesus should be forbidden and punished - except if the transgression is performed by a good Christian who neglected abstinence just once as it must have happened with Bristol Palin and other unspecified cases. Imagine what would happen to society if we accepted the fact that puberty is all about sexual maturation and awakening!

Palin appals me as a boomer generation parent of a 28 year old girl. My husband and I were (I AM widowed) and I am ardent democrats with high pressure careers--he has a high level telcom exec and I as a civil rights trial attorney. Despite those demands, we always had breakfast and dinner together, and when he traveled, we talked at night on the telephone together. Kelly went to private schools where they taught sex education from the time she was a youngster. But the parents were involved in the "after school" sessions on sex education which were expected to be discussed at home at the dinner table. Perhaps that's why when she decided to have sex with her boyfriend at 17, she came to us, discussed it, we took her to her pediatrician whose nurse talked to her and she came back to us and said--gee mom, I'm not ready. When she was ready that next year, she again came to us and again we went to the doctor, together. She ended up having several boyfriends in college--we never were judgmental about their decisions to sleep together when they were at our home--as we had "snuck around" when in college some 40 plus years ago. She married a lovely man when she was 26 and has a lovely daughter of her own anda healthy sex life. She says to me "How sad that Palin's daughter didn't have anyone to talk to at school or at home". And I agree--how very sad that this girl's life will never be the same and never have the same opportunities because her mother had some bizarre ideas about sex education. Answer me this one Sarah Palin--did you have sex before you were married? And why weren't you on birth control to prevent a pregnacy that ended in a downs' syndrome child. You disgust me and your whole genre who support your ridiculous concepts on human sexuality and its place in our lives. You got your national stage but hopefully it will be as shortlived as your daughter's future marriage to the father of her baby. Have you not heard shot gun marriages didn't work 40 years ago and they don't work now.

It is a social problem. Therefore, everyone should have responsibility in preventing teen sex/pregnancey and teaching responsible sex eduction. The best thing to teech is abstinence. Of courese, parents should have more responsibility. Apart from parents, schools, government and social organization should takes this drive. It should be a collective effort. Parents should advise it is sin to have sex before marrage and they shold create a opinions on tee's mind that having sex before marrage is equivalent to doing a criminal activity.

As walking proof that Abstinence Only didn't work in the fifties and it doesn't work now! Palin's stance on sex ed. really speaks to her hypocritical lifestyle and calls into serious question her ability to lead a family -- let alone the country. When you take into consideration the doubt that all of her children are with her husband, her "happy accident" of her most recent child and the pregnancy of her under-age daughter - you have to wonder if she evens knows what she 'preaches' let alone practices it.

Yes as a mother, a gr/mother, a daughter, and sister, I agree with abstinence, unfortunally, sometimes, one just simply gets caught up in the moment. Only to regret an unfortunate mistake, after it's over......it's called being human.
Get a grip, leave this family alone, many of you people remind me of that STUPID mother who put such hurtful things on a web site from a made-up teenage boy, [because she was "showing her daughter how to put another teen girl whom the daughter had a problem with, in her place" Till the receiver of these attacks, hung herself, over the rejection of this made-up boy's hurtful attacks. Teen yrs are fragile, THIS IS A SHAME!!!!
This woman should be sent to prison.
And you hate mongers should, Leave this girl alone!

I am all about ABSTINENCE only!
Our country was founded on Biblical principles in the first place and had we stuck with those principles to satrt with we wouldn't have all theses pregnancy problemsa dn abortion problems and all that we deal with today...
I am all about ABSTIENCE because that is what God's word says...
PLUS, so many teen who are getting pregnant young are raising kids who do the same.. they are all babies raising babies and teaching them the immaturity that they grew up in... so many on ending up on welfare and taking advantage of my hard earend money so they can keep having babies out of wedlock...
I was MARRIED and twenty when I had my first child and still feel now that I was a bit immature to do so, so to think that a 15, 16 even 18 year old is mature enough to be having babies- wake and enjoy life for a while, having a kid changes everything!
These teens (even early twenties) are ready for babies, I love my kids, but in a sence, my life is all about them, I give up lots of things for them, sometime my desires and wants.... alot of teens doen't understand what bying a parents REALLY means!
I am teaching my kids ABSTINENCE! That will be the only thing taught inmy homeschool home!

NO i do not agree on any issue that Sarah Palin does.

No matter what your views are, kids are going to find out about sex. Are they going to be educated the correct way? That is up in the air. Parents are responsible for teaching their children about sex and drugs and other things, but any additional training in school is also needed. Any parent who says "leave it to me" is simply blind to the real facts. Nievity is so out there with some conservatives that they simply do not get it. I wish people would just wake up to reality and allow all to be taught. The more education about these things the better....and of course teachings in the home are first and foremost.

No, I do NOT AGREE with Sarah Palin's view.

First let me say I am wondering if the same thing happened to Sarah Palin. I have read where she had gotten married and her first child was born 8 months later. I am wondering if she has this point of view from her own life experiences?

I believe the topic of sex education should be an open topic taught in all school systems. When I grew up, it was not a topic you felt freely to talk about with your own mom. I learned school classes, OBGYN doctors and my friends. It is something every young teen should know. I would want my children to learn about this topic from mandatory school classes, religon, peers, doctors and from me. I would not want them to learn about this on the streets. Look at the Casey Anthony story about her child Caylee. I am wondering now if she considers having Caylee and not giving her up for adoption as she wanted to, too big of a problem? Yes, I certainly believe this is something everyone should know about ahead of time and how their choices will effect the rest of their lives!

If Vice president candidate Mrs. Palin believed in Abstinence-only education then why is her own daughter pregnant at 17 yrs old and unmarried. If she believes this then why would anyone vote for a liar? I watched both conventions and it seemed to me that they the republicans were trying to do what the Democrates already did and said. Most of what the republicans said those nights were all a bunch of lies just like this one!

The best thing any girl can do is learn from their Mother and Father about sex not schools. Peer pressure is so hard nowadays. I have taught my daughter the Education is her boyfriend that no man or boy will get her that, nor anywhere!The best thing for any girls out there is their education because nowadays you need at least a 2 year degree even to work at McDonald's or any chain like that. There are so many messed up marriages out there and so many more divorces, cheating and alike that it is the most important thing in the word is an education. If you where to ask my daughter who her boyfriends first name is she will respond Education!

Why would anyone want someone like Palin in the white house that okays the pregnancy of her daughter at a young age and unmarried? Why woud you want someone like that to show young girls out there that this is okay? We NEED GOOD and HONEST role models in the white house and government!!!!

Because people who allow their daughters to have sex before an education and to allow them to have a baby is worth nothing but a ticket to use the government to get money while they sit on their butts and collect money! When there are people out there fighting to live everyday working with little money like myself and teaching a better education and teaching a better way of life to those young girls and boys out there! If Governor Palin could see herself in the mirror and she that not only has she taken away her daughters education and future of a better life! She just messed up her own daughters life and is showing the world of young people that she says that it is okay to do so! Again why would anyone want someone like her in the White House?

I feel that sex-ed should be taught in the schools, because kids will be curious to do it if they are not taught why they should wait. I feel a permission slip should be sent to the parents to sign and if the parents don't want their kids to take the class, then it will be their responsiblity to pray that their daughter doesn't become pregnant. Ths sex-ed classe should be geard to helping kids understand why they should wait until their adults before having sex and all the negatives things that can happen if they decide to have sex at a young age.

I don't agree with any of Palin's views and philosophies. In fact whenever I read anything about her or her stand I have to pinch myself to remind me we're in 2008 and not, 1908. My grandmother, 98 years old, alert and healthy, has more evolved and contemporary views than Palin.

It has been proven over and over again all over the world that abstinence is like putting your head in the sand, it ignores the facts and achieves nothing but inducing guilt and shame which leads to silence and isolation. Sex is a normal human activity and there's no getting around our biology so can we just work with kids and educate them in EVERY WAY we can?!? School, home, T.V., the internet..we need to use all media to reach all kids and make sure they have the facts they need to make informed decisions and then respect and support them in those. That's our role as parents, practice what we preach, embody our values (v.s. spouting at the mouth about fire and brimstone) and have faith that our kids will appreciate them and emulate us, not dictate how they run their lives because then we're might as well tell them we don't believe they can think for themselves. I'm proud that my 3 teenagers have had unlimited free access to all the information available out there and they have shown me time and time again they can handle it (better than a lot of so called 'adults' who, it is obvious, could stand a little more information themselves..)

Palin is a Problem. With a capital P. She and her views do not belong in the White House. Keep her religious views out of the public light. Tell her that abstinance only DOES NOT WORK! I am against Gov. PALIN, the problem candidate.

As a long time provider of reproductive health care, I know many parents don't have accurate sex education and information so they can't give it to their children. Teen pregnancy rates are about the same as they've always been, the difference now is most are not kept secret so the perception exists of an increase but no facts support that.
Young people need all the education they can get in all subjects, especially reproductive health since it can literally save their health and lives. My generation was taught it in public school- in biology and phys ed classes, which cleared a lot of confusion brought by gossip, rumors, hallway talk, etc. Some of us were fortunate to have adult friends who talked straight with us (showing us the same respect they wanted to be shown), and as adults we have the responsibility to teach and guide our youth so their decisions can be well thought out and informed.
Public schools should offer comprehensive health education, including reproductive or 'sex education'; with no morals attached- just the facts. Parents should be given the option to review materials to be used and 'opt out' if they wish- in practice, most don't
We adults must see that our youth (our future) get solid and factual information about how to protect their health and lives- how can we withhold this and look them in the eye? What do we say when they deal with the consequences of not knowing and ask us why we didn't protect or help them?
Gov. Palin must not realize how she and her family are being used and exploited for political purposes- or maybe she does and her own political ambition has blinded her. Federal funding to states for abstinence only programs is renewed yearly with the agreement of the governor- so she agreed to it, took the money then was o.k. with her state's youth being put at risk, at such a tragic cost to her own daughter. Abstinence as a preference is fine but 'only' is unrealistic- and we see the results of this flawed practice daily.

Ms. Palin's views on many things that affect the world as we know it today are troublesome to me. Sex education is a necessary reality for young girls and boys in the world today. Yes, I would prefer that it were the parents who pass on this information, BUT, not all do. Thus, we leave our children and grandchildren out there to fend for themselves and learn the hard way. Ms. Palin's daughter's situation is a perfect example of what happens when a mother preaches abstinence. In today's world, it doesn't work.

I think that often the objection to teaching anything but abstinence has to do with not knowing how much will be taught and if it will be opened up to all topics concerning sexuality. When my sister was in school, the schools sent permission slips out to parents asking if they wanted their children to participate in a voluntary sex education class, my mother allowed my sister to participate. She trusted the teacher and the materials to not get into subjects that go beyond conception and birth control. I think now that any sex education class does need to include a discussion of sexually transmitted diseases also. Maybe if more parents were presented with the curriculum the schools plan to teach prior to it being offered, they might agree that it has a place being taught. I do not think that the subject needs to address alternative lifestyles or specific sexual practices that don't relate to contraception, birth control or disease control. Maybe it should be offered on a voluntary basis only to see how it is received by those parents. Parents will listen to other parents before they will listen to a bureaucrat tell them what is best.

I think that I should be able to choose whether or not my child learns about sex. My 6 year old daughter was playing with a friend and her 6 year old friend told her let's play we are 19 and had an "accident" and that my 4 year old was the baby. I explained how wrong it was for pre-marital sex and what it does to your life and reputation. I know that is not what she will hear in school. I support Gov. Palin and her choices for her family.

School should be a place where children learn about as much as they can - because not everyone's parents have the time, or will take the time, or have the knowledge to share critical information with their children. Whether it is about how our bodies work, both sexually or just basically, or whether it is about how to balance a checkbook and make basic financial decisions, who better to fill in the blanks than our teachers. NO, they should not bear the brunt of what parents should do, BUT there is a need for what a teacher can offer children. And on Choice.....be very careful about government telling us what we can and cannot have....this Country is about freedom....the government is not there to tell us what is best for us. On the election?
We need the representation of the Democratic Party to be in the White House right now....there needs to be balance, and eight is enough!

As Sarah Palin makes it clearer than anyone, the answer to what you call parents who believe in abstinence is grandparents.

If you wouldn't wish abstinence on yourself, why wish it on kids that are in hormonal overdrive? Statistics show that the highest birth rates are among the abstinence crowd.

Because they are unprepared in every possible way.
Either get real or get a crib. Or worse get a child with a terminal sexually transmitted disease.

Sex, pregnancy and disease are real life consequences. Abstinence, moral judgements and religion are theoretical choices.
Kids in teen-age heat do not pay much attention to cause and effect.

-gala1

I believe this is a matter to be handled by the parents. I'm wondering if she taught abstinence at home!?! I do not support this woman!

It must be nice to have the delusion that telling teens to "wait till your married" will stop their hormones in their tracks. Except..it doesn't. I believe that human sexuality can't, or should be, strictly an issue of morality. AIDS, STD's, teen pregnancy and the like are also issues of public health and can have effects on the community as a whole. While I can sympathize with those who think teens should wait until they are more emotional mature and in solid relationship to engage in sex, I also remember what it is like to have hormones raging coupled with immaturity and a weak judgement skill set. I think withholding information is just aiding and abetting poor decision making. I would like my own daughter to be smart as to when she chooses to have sex, but I am not willing to set her forth into the world without the information she needs to stay safe and healthy. I certainly don't agree with those who think it is acceptable to block that information on the shaky premise that it will "encourage" her. She will no doubt get enough encouragement from her peer group and well as misinformation. As a parent, it is my job to teach her my values and the reasoning behind those values. And it is the job of medical professionals to teach her the biological facts of human reproduction and the possible health consequences of their behavior with no bias.

As a mother of three, it is mine and my husbands responsibility to talk to our children about sex. I took the two girls and my husband our son. Although, I think that sex education in the school can be helpful with additional information that can lead to additional discussion, but as far as the moral aspects that has to come from the parents as well as the first discussion. I donot believe that abstinence is viable. What hot blooded teenager has that much control, not many. Truthfully, Palin obviously did not teach abstinence to her daughter and/or as most teenagers she did not pay any attention. Good example of how it does not work. As parents we must take the responsibility for our children and what they know. We are the ones that should set the example as well as give them the information.

I am a firm believer that it is the parents' responsibility to inform/educate their children about the issues that face young children today. If they are not receiving information from home, it is our job as an educator to give them the facts and not let them learn from their friends or stories from the streets where we know stories are told and lies can be spread.

It's obvious that abstinence only education is NOT working. Look at the state statistics on the number of teen births and the number of teenagers with STIs each year. Children are naturally curious and if we don't teach them how to protect themselves from themselves those numbers will NEVER decrease.

It is VITAL that we inform them of all choices available - from abstinence to using protection.

I agree that they should abstain from any sexual contact utnil older,much older, but as we all know, that's not gonna happen. so we should talk ,and talk to them, and let them carry the burden, they will be responsible for their actions. my son when he was 5 or 6 said to me, mom when am I going to make my own decisions, i said you already do, when you cross the street and look both ways, you make the decision to look both ways and not get hit by a passing car. I think when we talk to them as adults, and allow them to make some small decisions in their lives, we give them the opportunity to make decisions early in life to let them know how it feels, so when things come up later in life,and they have to make decisions, we hope they will make the right decisions, we also must teach our children THEY ARE AND WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS,so beware of their actions.

I agree that they should abstain from any sexual contact utnil older,much older, but as we all know, that's not gonna happen. so we should talk ,and talk to them, and let them carry the burden, they will be responsible for their actions. my son when he was 5 or 6 said to me, mom when am I going to make my own decisions, i said you already do, when you cross the street and look both ways, you make the decision to look both ways and not get hit by a passing car. I think when we talk to them as adults, and allow them to make some small decisions in their lives, we give them the opportunity to make decisions early in life to let them know how it feels, so when things come up later in life,and they have to make decisions, we hope they will make the right decisions, we also must teach our children THEY ARE AND WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS,so beware of their actions.

I think it should be the parents sole responsibility to teach their child about sex; pratices and protection. I don't want the schools teaching my children right from wrong, as it is my responsibility to see they grow up to be productive members of society. However, I do like the idea of sex education, as far as technicalities and anatomy, being reinforced by the schools, provided they clarify to the children the ultimate decision is up to them, and something they should discuss with their parents, not their buddies. I had to have the talk with two of my nieces, and my step-daughter, and out of the three of them two, one of which rents a home from her boyfriend, are virgins, and the other became a teenage mother, just like I did. Children, often despite the best efforts of their parents and caregivers, are going to do what they do, and all we, as their family, can do is stand behind them, and try to help them reach their potential, no matter what mistakes they make. Gov. Palin's own daughter is a prime example of this. I'm not attacking her parenting skills and methods, simply pointing out the obvious. She probably taught her children abstinence was the best choice, (which I don't disagree with), but clearly her daughter made a different choice.

Look at her daughter. There is a product of no sex education. I rest my case.

I am a believer in God & the separation of church & State. We all know that hardly anyone is a virgin when they marry, but to use abortion as a birth control method is wrong. I personally know two people that do just that. They get pregnant from who-knows-who & then has another abortion (third with two years). No one should tell me what to do with my body, but to have the "system" pay for my "misstake" is not the way to deal with it either.
That said, I think Gov. Palin is an amazing woman. She speaks her mind, which about time. Who are you to tell her to stop speaking? You may not agree with her, but to "hate her" or fear her shows your ignorance. It's about time we had a woman that spoke her mind!

So far EVERYTHING Sarah Palin says has a double-edged sword!! How does her preaching of abstinence AND birth control reflect what is happening to her OWN teenage daughter? And now she's acting (and so are ALL the Republicans) that it's just sooo wonderful that she and her 17-year-old boyfriend (who never wanted to have kids!) are going to be forced to get married at a ridiculously young age! Will either of them get to even finish high school or will he be forced, especially now that he's in such a bright spotlight, to get a job in order to support his YOUNG new family? Yeah, Republicans, your over-the-top cheering at the convention about a 5-month-pregnant 17-year-old was well-founded! NOT!!

I'm sorry parents but if you think your kids are going to tell you when they are haveing sex your dead wrong. They are going to do it with or with out your consent. Did you always tell your parents everything? I bet you didn't. Unfortunetly, at 12 they are playing more than Barbie. Parents are afraid to talk sex with there kids. I have friends with teens that tell them don't. They don't teach them protection. Instead of saying I wish you wouldn't but I know there are pressures out there, now a days girls apply just as much pressure as they guys do, this is how to protect yourself and me from becomeing a grandmother. I want my kids alive and I want a child born in a relationship where two people really love each other and are ready and mature enough for this. ABC family has a great show on to let your kids watch. The secret life of an American teenager. . It is so realistic. This is how it is moms and dads. Open your eyes and get off your high horses. Talk to your kids or let someone else do it. Don't let your kids hear it through the grape vine. My son turned 16 and received condoms as a gift. He was told even if they say they are on birth control protect yourself. I questioned every girl I saw him with. So he warned all his friends.His friends thought I was a cool parent and they asked me questions. I always refered them back to their parents but a lot told me they couldn't. So I went with them to see the outcome. If it wasn't cool, I took them to planned parenthood. These kids are 21 now and they thanked me. They can go on with their lives and become doctors and lawyers. They don't have to pay the ultimite price for makeing a mistake. No one is perfect but protect yourself kids. Your parents will thank you later.

Give me a break, people!!!! We've had sex educatin class since the beginning of time and, yes, you can always opt out. Even Catholic school has a detailed "health" (aka. sex education class that makes adults blush - but is clinical none-the-less). Do you think informed children have more sex???? NOT!~!!!!! What's wrong with teaching abstinence...as adults, we say don't drink alcohol, don't smoke pot...isn't it our responsibility to say "no sex". Whether they listen or not is always their free will. I have teenagers and you have to lock them away to force your will on them! We (and Gov. Palin) can only advice them and teach them and hope that they will listen. The choice is theirs and to blame parents, unless they are absolutely irresponsible or neglectful (none of which sounds like Gov. Palin), is ignorant!!!!!! More showing of a parents character is how they deal with their children when they make mistakes (especially life altering ones). Support doesn't equal agreement!!!! Way to go Palin parents!!!!

Abstinence only simply doesn't work. Teenagers need to have the appropriate information. They need to know facts. I'm 48 now, but I can still vividly remember some of the beliefs that many of my friends had about sex, birth control and reproduction.

Our school didn't have any type of sex education. Back then, nobody really thought about discussing these issues in a classroom. My parents didn't really have much to say on the subject either. I was completely naive about male - female relations.

How naive? One moment that is trapped in my memory forever, my then boyfriend and I were "making out". Specifically kissing and cuddling - no intimate touching. He pulled away and said we needed to take a breather because he "had a rise in his levis". I honestly had no idea whatsoever what he was talking about. Now THAT is naive.

I was taught about sex and all of that from my best friends. It wasn't exactly typical information for a girl, because my best friends were 3 boys who were like brothers to me. They told me from a guy's perspective and what guys actually thought about the girls they made out with. They taught me to defend myself when a guy didn't understad that no meant no. I think I was awfully lucky. But I still wish I could have had facts from an expert to round out my "education".

I have two adult sons. I was a single mother. Believe me, discussing sex ed with them was difficult and awkward for me, but I still made the effort. Many of their friends came to me to ask those type questions because their own parents wouldn't discuss it. Before I would talk to them, I called their parents and asked if it was okay. Really weird and awkward.

There are a lot of parents who simply cannot find the words to talk about sex with their children. Especially in single parent homes. Moms aren't sure of what the boys need to know or want to know and dads with daughters are in the same position.

These kids NEED to know the FACTS. They need to understand their own reproductive system and how it works. They need to know about the opposite sex and how their reproductive system works. They need to know that you can indeed get pregnant from "heavy petting", even without having actual intercourse. They need to know how to prevent pregnancy and disease. They need to know how easy it is to get it wrong.

I'm sorry this is so long, but this is a real sore point with me.

I was completely turned off by her esp. her pro-life issuse. I think that this is a pure presonal issuse . It should not be used to sway a political election. I think less of McCain as a man also for allowing this just to get himself into the white house.
Go OBAMA 2008

I've always been open about sex and gender issues with my son. I raised him as a divorced single parent. When he was 12, I gave him a book about the physical and other changes he would experience as he matured sexually.

When my son was a teenager, I talked to him about his shared responsibility for using protection if he decided to have sex. I bought a box of condoms, put them away in the bathroom drawer and told him to use them if he was going to have sex.

Did he go out and have wild unbriddled sex with every willing girl in high school? NO. Sex education does not incite youth to have sex if they've been raised to make their own decisions in life without succumbing to outside influences such as peer pressure and religous dogma.

I don't know how old my son was when he first had sex and that's how it should be. This is a private matter. Give them the information and then step back and let them be.

Informed teens make better decisions.

Hello, When I was growing up, I was taught that "good girls" don't allow boys to have their way. And that it was the girl's responsibility to make the boy stop!! From the age of 12 I was also called a slut, whore and every other ugly name you can imagine, by my mother! When I asked my mother "where do babies come from?". Her response was,"Go ask your father." I was never able to get up the nerve to ask my father that question. So I grew up ignorant of the birds and the bees, as well as believing that I was a bad girl when I wasn't. So, yes sex education should be taught in the school as well as at home. Because there are still plenty of parents that have trouble talking about sex to their children. Maybe the School should also have a class where both parent and child attend. That way it opens the door for discussion. And the parent will know exactly what is being taught. Or at least a class that the parents attend prior to the child's sex education. It would be a way to open the door for discussion.I still believe it would be better for the boys to have a male teacher. And the girls a woman teacher.

Maybe then the girls won't have to grow up ignorant. Like me when I was taken advantage of, I felt so guilty. I thought it was my fault it happened. Because I wasn't able to make them stop. I didn't realize that I had been "date raped" and "gang banged" numerous times until those terms were being used publicly. Maybe then they wouldn't have "post traumatic stress syndrome disorder" and flashbacks on their wedding night. Or carry it with them into they're marriage. I'm grateful that I have a very loving husband, who realized that I was having PTSD.

Is this a joke? If she had this chat with her daughter she didn't get her point across about not having sex at least until eighteen.I like Sarah, but she should keep her mouth shut about teens having sex.

I remember what my mother told me when I was 10 or 11. Keep your legs crossed you will have the rest of your life to have sex when your mind catches up with your adult looking body.

When my ex husband left me and I stared to date I told my two teenage sons that what you are trying to do to your date my date is trying to do the same thing. It gave them food for thought.

I remember telling my teenage sons that your hand is your best friend until you are eighteen. They laughted,but never got a young girl pregnet.

When my sons got older I would tell them "just let me put you in a ZIPLOCK bag" and go out and have fun.

When my sons and nephew where older I always said do you have a fresh rubber in your pocket. They laughed,but again no STD or anyone saying where's daddy.

Super Glue on the fly for the boys, and Super Glue in between the girls thighs. I rather have you pee in your pants than being a mommy or daddy teenager.

Sarah's daughter will have support from her family. How many others don't have that kind of support?

Years ago you were sent away from home until you had your baby. It was a reflection on how you raised your children.
I had get parents. I NEVER would of put myself or my family in that situation.

If I got raped I would find it very difficult to look at a child that was born at of a crime. Everytime it would bring back the time that I was violated.

President Bush would of had his daughters flown over seas to abort the child. Money and power come in handy.

I had a chat with my friend who is a born again christen. To my surprize she said if she was raped she would have a different view on abortion, and have to give it a lot of thought. This is coming from a woman who tells me as a Jewish woman that I'm going to hell because I'n not a born again christen. We are best friends. We just believe in differant beliefs.

No one should ever tell a woman what to do with her body. It's up to her to deal with. No teenager sould ever have to deal with sould I have the baby,give it up for adoption,or give up my teenage years and raise the child. Most girls don't raise their babies. It's the grandparents.

Sarah the animals have sex when their in heat,we should have better control and respect for our selves.

Everybody has a right to believe in what they want. Sure, the government should not be involved. But, if the school system is already teaching sex education to OUR children, what's wrong with teaching abstinence? Is it really setting them up for failure? Or is it letting them know that they do have a choice? If your teaching your child the values of life, GREAT! But, let's be realistic, is everybody doing the same? Some parents don't know where to start. I'm sure we all want the best for these kids. Remember: They are the future.

Palin is tissue paper-thin transparent. It's quite obvious the abstinence talk didn't work too well with her daughter. Let's get real. It doesn't work with any teenagers. And unfortunately, many parents find it uncomfortable talking with their children about this issue, so they put it off...until it's too late. Sex education should be a joint effort...parents first, then schools can reinforce the message...and get to those whose parents can't seem to muster to courage.

Sarah Palin doesn't do what she preaches. She was already one month pregnant when she married, and her 17 yr. old daughter is pregnant and unmarried. I see a set of double standards here. It is definitely the parent's job to teach the children about sex, but since many don't, I agree with sex education in the schools. Abstinence is an ideal, but I just don't think it works in this time. If Palin could not abstain nor her daughter is a sure sign that that abstinence is not a solution.

I raised 3 daughters in the 60's, I told them the facts, and did not deviate from anything, they were not allowed to wear heels, until age 16, they were TOLD by their MOM, come dating time, "CRoss your legs and come home in a group" in other words, they were not going to fall for some "line" from an eager guy, It paid off, some parents do not want to face facts or use judgement, same with drugs, TELL it like it is and if one has a stubborn listener, take them to a drug rehab and see the results or the maternity ward for babies, REALITY really sinks in,

I'm a certified school nurse and a psych nurse. Sexual education to me means just that-education. Not promoting religion, but instead a firm grounding in scientific fact along with values that no one can dispute, such as valuing and respecting your body and the rights of others, knowing the difference between biological urges versus the responsibility and consequences that accompany your actions.

Our school system has health ed from day one, geared appropriately to the age group. Parents are ALWAYS given the option to 'opt out', starting in grade school and not having their kids participate-but most don't. Why? Because most people realize that they are not qualified and perhaps not comfortable about talking about the specific very graphic questions that kids want to have answered.

Should sex ed involve the parents? ABSOLUTELY! In an ideal world that would happen always. There is definitely a component that should be there that the schools aren't equipped to teach, and that is what your personal religious and ethical beliefs are. But the world ISN'T ideal-and kids will experiment, even kids like Gov. Palin's raised in a very conservative religous household.

But I do NOT see how educating a child makes them more likely to engage in premarital sex. Rather it seems logical that it would be the opposite. What attracts kids? Mystery, the forbidden, saying 'no' for no reason. Kids in puberty developmentally are programmed to begin to strive for independence-and keeping them ignorant DOESN'T protect them-it makes them more likely to get their misinformation from the street, or equally ignorant teens who pass along myths from someone else.

There is more to good sex education than questions involving intercourse. There are too many kids who think of themselves as 'virgins' because they don't engage in vaginal penetration, but yet have oral sex-which still affects your sense of self, your reputation among your peers, and which still exposes you to grave risks for disease without proper knowledge of how to protect yourself.

There are still too many parents who are so uptight about their own sexuality that the kids can't come to them-or who have displayed the same poor choices or lack of knowledge in their own lives.

I absolutely tell my son that the ONLY sure way to protect yourself from disease and from an unplanned pregnancy is to not engage in sexual interaction. We also discuss feelings-what is love, how you respect your body, how you demonstrate respect for a woman, not just physically, but emotionally.
What the legal and moral consequences are for someone who does impregnate someone else. And how to respect someone who is different than you in their beliefs.

So, no, I don't agree with Governor Palin, especially since she ALSO doesn't believe in a woman's right to choose, even in cases of rape or incest. I can think of no more horrific situation for a woman than being forced to carry a child for nine months that was a product of violation-against your will, as if you were no more than a farm animal, not a human being. THink of the recent case of the woman held hostage in Austria by her dad and forced to bear 7 of his children after 24 years of incestual rape. That is what Gov. Palin supports-not the rape, but that that woman had no right, had she been able to get to a doctor, to terminate the pregnancies under that situation.

Do I respect her right to hold her own opinions AND to make decisions for her family? Absolutely. Do I want her in any position where she could force those same opinions into my life, my bedroom, my family, or the laws that affect me? ABsolutely, positively, NOT! And therefore, I will not even consider voting for John McCain.

I do not want the government schools trying to teach my children about sex. I believe this is a matter to be taught at home. I realize many parents won't teach their kids about it, but that's not a reason for having teachers in government schools teach kids about sex. That's a cop-out. Teachers need to work on math, science, reading, English, etc. They are doing a lousy job of teaching these subjects in the government schools. Based on what their "teaching" is already working, I pity kids who are taught about sex by these bozos. If you are going to have public (gov't.) schools teach sex ed., I believe abstinence should be included as an option. You say "Kids are going to do it anyway." Really? Okay - - think about this then - - people are going to murder other people anyway, so why should we make it against the law to commit murder. People are going to do it anyway. Right?

Morals, teaching about private personal matters like sex, and religion, should be left to the home. The public schools are already in deep trouble. School choice would be a better idea than sex education in the crazy, lamebrained experimental government schools of today.
So call me a crazy conservative. Thank you for the compliment.

I am for sex ed in school. When I was in 5th and 6th grade ( I am now 40), we had separate sex ed for the boys and girls. The idea was basically for everyone to learn basic anatomy and how things work so that everyone would be on the same page. However, it stopped there. No one said one way was right or wrong. I think alot of this depends on each family's values. One of the bigger issues is where the parent or parents do not address this at home. I was brought up with the notion that sex was something that you do after you are married. I am one of those for whom abstinence worked because I agreed that it was important to wait until I found the right person.

maybe the schools should focus on stopping the sex that's happening right on their campus' & not on prevention? it's no wonder that so many parents are making sacrifices to send their children to private schools or to home-school.

just another way for liberals to indoctrinate our children with their agenda & morals (or lack there of)...

ignorance in any area begets ignorance

i am in favor of abstinence as the right way to go, cos sex education and the procedure of, or the art of informing is what destroys the children. And as a result we have so many children who are hooked on sex as a person is hooked unto crack. Cos the very education and enlightenment of a matter and the warning of dont do this is the very propellant or motivator to do that which one was told not to do. Thus i would advocate and do support the teaching of abstinence, as opposed to this the way you wear this and this what you are to do when .....etc we all know the gist of the story.

Let's see... Abstinence until you're married. That works, right? No unprotected sex so no consequences such as STDs, AIDS/HIV, unwanted and unplanned pregnancies. Ri-i-i-i-ght.
Is Palin in a time warp? Nancy Regan was the great Republican Spokesperson for "Just Say NO." Is Palin the Minnie-Mo????

i'm really alarmed to see women supporting a woman just because of her gender. palin is no hillary clinton. she's two steps forward, three steps back -- and her sex-education policy is case-in-point.

abstinence-only sex education isn't education at all. education means learning about an issue/subject in its entirety so that you can form an intelligent opinion about it. and yes! let's encourage teens to abstain! let's work toward fewer teen pregnancies! but let's not ignore the teens who don't have the family support to make an informed decision.

As a teen mom i think that what ever happens in her home has nothin to do with how she will help run the country. I am not voting for them but i was 17 when i got pregnate with my first son. I also lives with my parents so that shows now matter what you believe in as a parent things like thats gonna happen if you like it or not. Everybody just needs to realize that they are a normal family just like all of us.

People who try to practice abstinence as a method of birth control are called Parents.

Palin is yet another right wing "do as I say not as I do" in the mode of televangelists Jim Baker and Jimmie Swaggart. She had premarital sex, a shotgun wedding and now her daughter is followng in her footsteps. If she want the government to keep sex education out of the schools then she needs to keep that same government out of my bedroom and womb.

Sex education is not about "how to" but why it's "best to wait" until you are mature enough and in a position to have sex.

Sex education at school certainly won't help teenagers not getting pregnant! I have noticed that middle schoolers have developed a very keen interest in sex right after sex education! Moral issues should be taught at home, and having sex too early or out of wed-lock is a moral issue. Now that does not mean that teenagers are not human, and thus fallible, but having a good foundation based on virginity until marriage definitely helps. It has been found, though, that teenagers engage in oral sex, for fear of losing their virginity, so have they been taught that they can get sexually transmitted diseases? When we found out that there was a pedophile staying in our neighborhood, we had no choice but inform our 9 year old daughter about what pedophiles are all about! Needless to say she was terrified to sleep in her own room, but does sex education cover that too? I don't think so. So there's a lot more involved than just birth control and know-how...

I think "abstinence only" programs are the most ridiculous teaching tools ! It is such a medieval way of looking at sex education and the fact that Palin's daughter is pregnant only illustrates it better.
Of course, abstinence is a good thing to teach .... ALONG with contraception and safe sex methods.

The bottom line is that it's the parents' job - not the government. Just as in the abortion debate, the government has no business meddling with people's private affairs and bodies. It's every parent's right to decide how and when they will teach their kids but the responsible way is to give them the whole story - not just the abstinence way.

No It just makes kids think more on sexual things than more important things.But of course she thinks its a good deal,het teen is preg.Guess she was too busy to explain about the birds & the bees.

LEAVE SARAH ,DAUGHTER OUT OF THIS . HOW MANY TEEN HAVE CHILDREN OUT OF WEDLOCK. COME ON NOE ITS 2008

Yes, I agree with Palin's ideas. Have you ever heard of VD, Syphlis, AIDS, Gonoria among other diseases? Well, guess how one gets them?!?!?! SEX!

My only regret is SHE should be president & McCain should be V.P.

WELL..SHE SHOULD BE THE LAST ONE PREACHING THAT...AT THIS POINT..SURE I AGREE WITH HER...BUT DID SHE TALK TO HER OWN DAUGHTER WHO IS 17, UNWED AND PREGNANT?....ITS LIKE SAYING "
THE RABBIT TALKING ABOUT EARS"....LOL

PEOPLE FOLLOW THOSE WHO SET AN EXAMPLE...AND WELL HER EXAMPLE ON MOTHERHOOD IS QUESTIONABLE..I SAY...

WHY DO YOU THINK WOMEN AND SOME MODERN MEN FOLLOWED HILLARY CLINTON ???

Birth rates are up and Bush and some GOP are backed by the adoption industry. More biths,more votes,money.
Teaching to abstain...Yeah Right!
Not right to let children down so there will be more babies to adopt.

Texas for years has been teaching abstinence only and has the highest rate of teen pregnancies in the nation. Bottom line -- teaching abstinence only doesn't work and will never work. For all folks who don't want sex ed taught in schools: they send home this nifty piece of paper for you to sign and you can deny having your children taught sex ed.

This is a subject I think both views are right and have a tendency to run over each other . I think schools should teach kids about safe sex but I do think they should push hard on abstinence and the emotional hardships that comes from having sex with someone and encourage students to talk to their parents about it.

The main problem I see with schools teaching students about sex education is the tendency to dismiss a parent's value and belief systems. This is where the main clash comes from and both sides tend to be coming off self righteous. It directly takes away the rights of a parent to teach their children. Just because one side of the argument feels that their belief is better ... it's not their place to step in and override the parent's rights.

I cringe when I hear a school encourage students to come to them instead of parents. I understand that some parents don't care or don't want to talk to their children, in those cases the school could be invaluable but when a parent doesn't know when and where to start... instead of taking over they should encourage the parents and children to talk and respect the parents that do have such conversation. Have counselors open to parents -not just students.

When a child and parent are able to have those tough and uncomfortable talk.. it can lead to an opportunity to open up and have the deeper conversations. I think this is what schools should be encouraging and not handing out birth control.

"It takes a Village to raise a child."
Whether we like it or not, our children get "educated" about sex from several sources. I FIRMLY believe in teaching my children (16 yr. old daughter and 14 yr. old son) abstinence but I'm not a fool... hormones, media, and PEER PRESSURE bombard them every single day. I like to consider myself an "informed, in-touch, communicative" parent but I can't trust that the kids my kids hang out with have parents like me. I also know that as open as we are in our communication, they don't tell me EVERYTHING! And I remember what I was like as a teenager... I thought my parents were just old, clueless people. Heh. I would MUCH rather have people at my kids' school handing out condoms to them than to see one of my teenager's future come to a halt just because they "made a mistake" in the heat of a hormonal moment!!!

I think the U.S. is trying for the dark ages. Teaching abstinence only is just insane. I think it is good to talk about it as an alternative for teens who, because of religion or other reasons, aren't ready to share their body with another. I think it is important to teach them not to have sex just because everyone else is. To teach abstinence only as the only way is leaving teens open to pregnancy and sexual diseases. They should have it taught in school. Parents should also talk about sex to their children, I know I told my daughter not to ever feel pressured to have sex, if she was in a relationship and wanted to that I would get take her to get birth control. They also taught it in school then, we hadn't got to the point where all the zealots tried to say what everyone should do.

abstinance only doesn't work... maybe if sarah's daughter had sex education in school she wouldnt be pregnant!

For years we have been teaching sex ed. and handing out condoms to teens and the teen birth rate keeps rising. Obviously it's not working. Maybe if more parents took more responsibility in their kids lives and mom's were at home a little more, teens wouldn't have so many opportunities to have sex.

I would be ok with schools having a sex education program, but I think each parent and child should be the ones deciding if that child should participate in that class. I don't think it should be mandatory! And I don't think it should involve morals - just stick to the facts.
Personally, I will be home schooling my little one, and when it's time, I will teach her about the birds and bees, and how to protect herself. When my older daughter was about 13 - 14, we talked, she asked questions, I gave her all the info she needed. Yes, she had sex at the age of 16 - but she used protection. She's 25 yrs old now, and has never gotten pregnant or had any kind of disease. I know this because I have always been open and honest with her and she has been with me too. I think that is the key!

oh yeah... and I think Sarah Palin should have preached to her own daughter.
The reason there are so many teen pregnancies now a days is because the kids see their tv and movie stars having babies - the spears sisters have had a following for quite some time. I'm not saying it's just their fault. It's the media and then it falls on the parents shoulders. Parents need to teach their babies that just because so-and-so is having one doesn't mean it's the right thing for them.

I have no problem with schools teaching it. I my mom never talked to me bout sex but told me not to have it. It was all screwed up and there are lots of screwed up families out there. LOL!! She thought if she put me on birth control it would be giving me permission to have sex. Low and behold the guy I lost my viriginity to in HS was a terrible person just think of how she would have felt if he had gotten pregnant!!! Tehre are too many "rightous" parents out there. Teens are humans and are curious teach them at home waht you can but there still needs to have sex ed in school for those that dont get taught.

I do believe that sex ed. should be offered in school including information regarding preventing pregnancy and protecting oneself from disease. However, I also believe that parents should still have the option to opt their children out of such a class should they choose to do that education themselves. Every young person should be armed with all of the facts they need so that they can make an educated decision.
Face it, abstinence only education does not work. Young people are curious and the more you tell them no, the more they want to know why they cannot have/do it. It is far better to give them all of the facts. You can't be with them all the time so educate them to make informed decisions. Don't try to protect your children from the world by keeping them in the dark. Keep them informed so that they won't be handicapped by ignorance.

Clearly it didn't work for her 17 year old daughter.

I agree with those who say yes to sex education in the schools since it brings an awareness to the situation and the seriousness of the outcomes - pregnancy, std, lack of respect, etc. However, I do believe that children are going to go with their emotions so it doesn't really matter either way. I'm sure there are kids out there who are misinformed so having sex education in the schools would be appropriate.

I'm a school counselor and see pregnant teens all too often. It is totally unrealistic to think that telling them not to have sex and preventing them from obtaining birth control will lower the teen pregnancy rate. You can't lock them up! Teens are humans - humans with hormones they're learning to control. Teens need factual, non-judgmental, information about sex and birth control options - including abstinence as an option - but they also need access to affordable and obtainable birth control.

It is the parents responsibilty to educate your kids about sex NOT the governments. Unfortunately, there are to many unqualified "parents" that don't know how to educate there kids and think that having protected sex is the way to go. No one is teaching these young kids the emotional and psychological consequences to having a sex at a young age whether your protected or not. SEX is an emotional bond that teenagers can NOT handle maturely. That's why so many of them are depressed, suicidal etc cause our society and the media , especially, has defined Sex as love. Parents need to take back control over there kids and not play into these fear tactics society imposes on them.

The media influences these kids in to thinking that if your not having sex before 18 your square or something is wrong with you, yet they don't see where they're responsible with the epidemic of teenage promiscuity. We are saturated DAILY with sexually suggestive images on television and we wonder why teenage pregnancy is a growing problem. I whole heartedly agree with Palin on the abstinence issue and more programs need to be created to educate Parents on how to teach your teen about abstinence. Teach them the Top 10 consequences to teen sexual promiscuity #1: HIV/AIDS ETC. ETC. I believe her experience with her own daughter is going to further catapult and validate her position on abstinence. No parent encourages there teen daughter to go out and get pregnant. Palin shouldn't be punished cause her daughter, who's going on 18, made a poor choice!

Let the first person that is free from sin cast a stone be it you are Christian or part of any other religious sect. It doesn't matter how much preaching to the choir that you do. . . people are going to make their own decisions. So what if the girl is pregnant? Does this stop her life? No. . . it might make it harder, but now she has one more reason to live! So for all of those thaty want to downcast Palin's daughter for being pregnant, take a look at yourself and examine those that are around you and evaluate the sin in your life to see if it bears anymore weight than the next person's sin. The last time I checked, Jesus died for our sins and He is the ultimate judge because we are born of sin. Remember, a baby is a blessing, not a curse! This doesn't excuse her actions, but atleast she didn't do what some of your children at home may be doing at this very moment. . . somewhere having an abortion behind your back as a form of birth control because someone has scared or shamed them to the point that they WANT YOU TO BELIEVE that they are practicing abstinence. This doesn't mean that every kid is having sex, but you better believe that they are either doing or have tried something else which in my opinion can be far worse than sex or either lead to sex. For all of those that are practicing abstinence, God Bless You and continue to stand firm in your beliefs, especially at at time as such when their is so much pressure and societal influences today compared to 30, 40, or 50 years ago when children were sent away or their babies given up for adoption for being what was considered "ruined". In closing, I'd like to say that in the sight of God, their are no damaged goods, because he can use every broken vessel for His Glory!

The truth of the matter is not every parent feel comfortable talking about sex education with their children. I think there should be a clear and evidence-based guidelines on sex education provided in schools. I think leaving it to parents only may leave a vacuum for some families. Besides, sex education should tied in with subjects like biology.

I don't see why it has to be a battle. This really is a matter of personal choice. She isn't asking anybody to pay her daughter's bills. It's too bad her daughter has to be in the limelight over this.

Personally, I chose to educate my daughters and sons, and encourage them to use birth control, because I did not want to be a young grandmother with in-residence grandchildren. I felt that it was silly to tell them not to have sex, because they probably would anyway. And I wanted my daughter to know she could come to me for help with birth control.

They are all grown, over 25 now, and I sometimes regret my acceptance of their sexual activity. I feel like I should have stood up for abstinence more than I did, even if I could not enforce it. And if she had gotten pregnant, that might have been better than having different boyfriends in her early twenties.

The main thing to remember is that sex education is not the same as sex attitude! We can educate our teens, but they are going to learn all the same things we teach them one way or another. It is our opinions and advice that they need, support for their wise choices and empathy when they make the wrong choices. They really need to know we are there for them, and it appears to me that Sarah Palin is there for her daughter, so... why is it a problem for everybody else?

Sarah Palin's family is proof positive that abstinence only doesn't work. What more do we need to prove what we already can see? In a perfect world, yes, that would work. Unfortunately the world never has been perfect and never will be. Time to get real!

When it comes to teens and sex, everyone needs to be involved. It would be nice if it could be handled by parents alone. Unfortunately, many parents fall down on the job, avoid the job or don't have the correct information themselves. At one time I taught sex education to teachers of special needs adults and many of them were as ignorant about sex and birth control as the clients. To parents who think abstinence only education works, get a grip! That's just not good enough. The church, schools and parents need to help teens with this issue. It's just like teaching any other subject...kids have different learning styles, different levels of trust for "special" conversations. Maybe if we all tackle the issue those who believe in abstinence will be, those who need birth control can get it and teen pregnancy can finally be a thing of the past. After all it is the baby in this equation that suffers the most.

The first comment I read was for sex ed in schools, but has the first stage at age 16. This is way too late, there are plenty of pregnant teens by that point. In addition, most girls start menses between 12 and 15, so one of the main events that is actually covered in female sex ed, regardless of the approach, is about how to deal with your period and what to expect.
I wrote a blog about this recently, when I was accosted by some protesters while walking to work. Go read it if you like. If you don't have time, my basic idea is that having a comprehensive sex ed in schools would make both prochoice and antiabortion people happy. If we take the time to teach our kids about how not to get pregnant, then there will be fewer pregnancies. If they are going to have sex, which most are, they will do it whether we tell them how to protect themselves or not.

Teens would be wiser to avoid sex until they are out of high school and, hopefully, more mature. However, we can't put the genie back into the bottle. Sex has consequences for both the individual and society (i.e., disease and unwanted pregnancies). Knowledge is power and sex education should start in late elementary school. This in no way prevents parents from offering their input. These parents who think they can control or influence their child exclusively forever are unrealistic. Children eventually go out into the world and make changes in their values and outlook.

When all is said and done, you are left with the question "DOES IT WORK?" "Is Abstinence Only successful?"
In our school it went like this: Before the "Worth The Wait" campaign, out of approximately 500 students, there would be around 4 pregnancies per year. After implementing "Worth The Wait" there were an average of 26 pregnancies per year.
Get out of denial. Teaching abstinence is a nice idea but teenagers are gonna do what they want to in spite of the programs...Obviously the parents who say its "their job" to teach their kids about sex, aren't very effective when it comes to pregnancy prevention. Get a clue.

Sex Ed can not be taught in schools anymore. Because you can't trust them and how they present it. They present it in an immoral way. Plus you don't know which schools are trying to teach immoral homosexuality as something that is OK to do. It's not and teaching sex ed that normal sex is OK is just as wrong.

Knowledge has never hurt a person, not having the truth and facts about life and sex can be very hurtful even deadly.
If Sarah Palin had allowed the knowledge about sex to be more open with her daughter, there is a good possiblitiy she would not be having a baby at such a young age.Telling people not to do something, without explain why a person should not do it has never worked !
I am not saying her daughter cannot turn this situation around because I believe she can become a good mother and have a positive life, but if she had been given good information about sex, she may have made different choices.
I do not believe Christ ever stated knowledge was evil or harmful. The best way to make any choice is to have as much information as possible about the subject.
That does not mean I think kids should go out and have sex just because they received information about sex. No one has ever proved that because a person was educated about sex they went out and had sex because of being giving that knowlegde. There have been a lot of people without any sex education that have made many bad choices about sex and other life situations, some of these have even lead to death.
I only wish the best for her daughter in the future.
I am not making choices for her or her family. Hopefully we can learn that education about life and sex is not harmful.
Just as knowledge and education are also very important in this election year. It would be wonderful if the people running for office would just once tells us how they will fix this country and help the people in the USA, and stop filling the election with the life choices they feel are right for everyone. At one time this was a country where taking care of America and her people were are most important battle to win, not trying to push a individual lifestyle choices on the Country !We came to this Country for Freedom, Knowledge and Growth, when did these things stop being valuable ?

I have four kids and two of them are teenagers. I would not have any problem with health education that would include brief topics relating to the abstinence of sex and indicating the dangers of sex. I'm fortunate to have two of my teen girls to not be pregnant and we do have an open communicate of dialog. I believe that information is power--if the schools wish to provide this service--great. Its just increases my teens and my teen friends (especially the parents that do not have a dialog or believe that they do know what is going on their teens' life) to practice abstinence. We need to get off our high horses and be cognnizant of what is going on out there in the real world. I believe a lot of the mothers have no clue to what their daughters and sons are doing--no clue.

I do not agree with Palin at all.

Of course, we need sex ed in the schools. There are stats that say that areas that do not formally provide sex ed have more pregnancies and more abortions.

I also do not agree with her on "praying the gay out of people". You are born that way. You can not "pray out". She is ridiculous.

I also am very much in favor of women going to the top, but Palin needs to be home with that Down Syndrome baby and her pregnant daughter that she paraded in front of the whole country. Her daughter needs her now and will probably resent the fact that her mother used her later in life.

No, I don't agree with Palin in any way.
Her views impose upon others and she is certainly not someone I want dictating what is best for me and my family.
Sad to see her as a candidate for VP. She is a poor role model as a mother and as a political figurehead and nasty and self-righteous to boot.
She has it backwards: The country doesn't need her but her unfortunate family does.

I would like to start off by saying; it strikes me as funny for Governor Palin to preach abstinence when she has a pregnant 17 year old daughter. With that said, I think the responsibility of sex education lies on the parent and the schools. My husband and I talk very openly about sex with our children. We are there for them when they have questions and strongly urge them to come to us when they have questions or issues. We started the "sex talk" with our children when they were old enough to understand and we continue even more now that they are young teens. We stress very strongly abstinence but we also talk about the “what ifs” because we are dealing with this issue first hand. My 17 year old niece is pregnant and unwed. But I also believe it is the responsibility of the schools to also address the issue. Walk down any school hallway and one of the topics your hear children talking about is sex. I have heard conversation between students as young as 8 years old and let me tell you it was a very “grownup” conversation. I think the schools should teach abstinence first and far most but also provide education for prevention. Not only for the sake of unwanted pregnancy but also sexual transmitted diseases.

No one talked to me about sex, having a baby and so forth...so I got pregnant w/the first man that came along with the "I love you" at age 18....my mother made me marry him and he was a terrible batterer!...I totally believe in sex education in the fullest in schools. Too many childre do not get it at home. What is worse is the increase of children being murdered by parents that did not want them in the first place...the cruelity that is inflicted on innocent babies and children is sickning in today's society. Who is protecting them? Abstinance does not work....tell that to someone in the "heat of a moment" give me a break. Not everyone has family or income or resources or the nuturing mentality needed to raise a child....things have to change....No, I do not agree with Palin and her views at all!! Linda M

ITS A PERSONAL MATTER AND THE PARENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO AGREE OR DISAGREE WHO EDUCATES THEIR CHILDREN ON SEX HOWEVER; THE STREET IS NOT THE PLACE TO LEARN OR FROM THEIR FRIENDS.

the dems are the ones that started forcing sex ed in the schools. they thought handing out condoms would help. all that did was give a signal to CHILDREN that it's okay to have sex. oh yah, and the instances of teen pregnancy skyrocketed. I don't think there should be anything controversial about telling CHILDREN that waiting to have sex is best. Most reasonable people agree with that.

I've read a lot of posts and I disagree with teacher's teaching my kid about Sex Ed of any kind. That's my job. Plus I'm not going to give my kid wrong information. My parents were the one who taught me about sex education and I plan on doing it for my kids as well. I believe you can teach abstinence in a way where it works. It worked for me.

I'm not completely sure of Sarah Palin's motives but, I truly believe that this is a step backwards for all women. Hilary's supporters will not support Sarah Palin. Her views are in direct opposition of most all women who supported Hilary.
Her abstinence only ideas do not work, her own family is proof of that. Kids need the information that comes with sex education. Teenagers will have sex, educated or not. We need to educate them.
I also have major concerns with her total lack of concern for our fragile environment. She sued the Federal Government for putting Polar Bears on the endangered list. This lady is scary and her becoming V.P. would be a tragic mistake.

too bad she forgot to teach abstinance to her own teenager! oops...Great work mom! sheesh

she's dangerous and not very smart on top of it all.

education = power

yes,they need morals and someone needs to stand up for them.

If all parents could be trusted to tell their children the truth about reproduction, then the schools could stay out of it. However, that's not happening. Research on current abstinence-only curriculum proves an increase in teenage pregnancy--not a decrease. Teaching abstinence is like trusting that the average 17-year-old will always drive the speed limit. Doesn't work. While excess speed won't get a person pregnant, it can kill--so can certain STDs that are out there. And a baby born is for keeps--for a very, very long time.

We as parents can tell our kids our preferences, but they need to know the risks. The risks will often outweigh the desire to usurp parental authority, and if not, then the properly educated child will at least know that condoms and birth control are options (condoms should be a MUST!).

I say make reproductive health part of the school curriculum--like teaching the basics of good hygiene, oral health, and eating well--whole-body education about the risks of careless/reckless behaviors and taking care of one's mental and physical health. It has absolutely nothing to do with religion and should not be controlled by silly fears that such education is encouraging sexual activity. (What's encouraging it now, huh?) If we take the mystery out of it, it loses its gloss, its appeal as an off-limits secret pleasure to be engaged in only by adults.

Why not just let those fearful parents' kids stay home so that their parents can personally teach them everything: algebra, grammar, biology . . . Come on, it's human health! (Perhaps reproduction in the biology class should be left out, too.)

I think it is sufficient enough for the parents to have the responsibility of talking to their children about sex in their own way, but in some cases there are careless parents who do not talk with there children and no one may no who those parents are or if for religious reasons and so forth they choose not to even in those extreme cases there still should remain an opt out program giving the parents the right to discuss what they think is appropriate or not!

I think that sex ed should be discussed by the parent and school.Simply because if the child feels uncomfortable talking about it at home that extra sex ed at school can come in handy. To me either way makes for better it give a kid a choice.

Sex education is such an important issue in this day and age. It should come from the home with loving parents talking openly with their children, but we all know that in many cases, that is not what happens. It then falls to the schools and is frequently part of the Biology curriculum in high school. However, if schools are going to address this topic, it should happen MUCH earlier than high school Biology. As a teacher for 29 years, I have seen many junior high students who were sexually active or even pregnant. By the time they get to Biology, it is a joke to many of them to have the school nurse or a teacher try and tell them about sex and its consequences. I believe that abstinence should be taught right along with the facts and consequences.

I also think that it is the parents and the schools job to teach sex ed. 5 years ago when I was in high school the extent of sex ed was a day in summer school health class. The best thing to do is get schools to make a longer sex ed section and talk to your kids and see how much they know through pop culture and school and elaborate on that. Letting them know the consequences that can happen from an accident can encourage them to make a good choice without telling them out right no. The worst thing you can do is tell them that it is bad, don't do it, and leave it at that thinking that they would listen. In the end all teenagers want to try something their parents don't want them to do.

Yeah, teaching teens to abstain--how well did that work for ya at home, Sarah? Not so well...

If we left our sex education up to the parents, we would be where we are now- only way most of our children are getting sex ed- is thru school and other kids-not always friends either- might I add. We need stuctured education in our schools about sex education- The facts, what -why and what-happens and whata else can happen. not frosting covered either. make nthem realize the real truth- what life really is going to be about. children are going to do what you tell them not to!!

i don't think anyone but parents should teach children about sex. that's our buisness!!! my parents never really talked about it unless we asked. we went to sex ed. but i never learned anything. my mom and my mother-in-law were 15 when they had their first child. many people i know have 3-4 children and under 21 years old. i was 18 when igot pregnant with my daughter and 19 the day after she was born. why? becausei didn't know enough about sex to have it but i was old enough to know what would have happened to me if i became pregnant at an early age. my children will not take sex ed. in school. only at home.

She knows that she was furious at her daughter for being so stupid, especially when she just had a down syndrome baby. Her beliefs are fake, because if she believed in abstainence why is her daughter pregnant at 17. How does she think she is going to care for a sick child, one under 10 years of age, 2 daughters and a grand child at the same time, and think that she is going to run the United States. McCain cannot even give a speech without loosing his chain of thought, so if Palin is so experienced how can she handle the responsibility? Well, this says a lot, we need to stand up and vote, because if we don't, we might as well pack our bags move to an apartment complex, expect to lose our jobs because McCain is going to send them overseas to save money, take our savings out of the banks and prepare for the worst. Oh, don't forget education, we won't be able to afford it, only the rich will.

I believe abstinance is unrealistic. I read on parent's comment about teaching all the responsibilities that go with sex; contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, etc. and I agree. Young people need to be informed so they can make informed decisions because ultimately it comes down to their decisions. They are the ones who need to know that they are responsible for the choices they make and it is the parent's and societies' responsibility to arm them with the information they need to make informed decisions.
As to whether or not the government or parents should educate them, I think that should be the choice of the parents. If they want them to learn it in school that should be their choice. If they want to teach them at home that should be their choice.

My opinion of Sara Palin is that she will set the women's movement back 40 years. I don't think there are many American women who can identify with her, hockey Mom my a**.

As for her stance on sex education, pregnancy is not the only problem resulting from teenage sex. What about all the sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV could be a death sentance. What happens to all the teens who become pregnant? Who will care for them and their babies. Not all parents will except their children being pregnant and living in the house and raising a child.

As far as her daughter marrying the "father" this marriage of convience doesn't have very good odds of surviving.

We need to get out and vote. Do we need 4 more years of George Bush? HELL NO!!!

Parents should educate their children about sexuality and the moral issues associated with their interaction, including sexual relations, with other people. I have been the informing parent of two children and the informing responsible older sibling of three who all reached maturity without any unwanted pregnancies or abortions. My children (both genders) reached majority age virgins and I did not preach abstinence. What I did tell them was this: If they ever were seriously romantically involved with a partner they must have a conversation discussing pregnancy, preventive measures, protection against sexual transmitted diseases and responsibility if they became pregnant or impregnated their partner. If they could not have that conversation, they were too young and immature to even consider having sex. I stressed to both my children that girls or boys who do not have enough self-esteem to have that conversation also have no respect for their partner and should not be romantically or sexually involved with anyone. I asked them – would you want to have sex with someone who does not respect his or herself or you, enough to talk factually about sexual intercourse, which is one of the more profound and private human interactions? I also told them that I would support them through thick and thin, I would gladly adopt or raise one of their children; but I would disown them if they ever contemplated aborting one of my grandchildren.

I realize that the Democrats would applaud any and all teenagers and other women aborting their children, as that is the preferred (Democrat) method of birth control. Consider that less than 1% of the 40 million abortions since Roe v Wade were for rape or incest. This statistic is confirms that our country and its 35 years of so-called ‘effective public school sex education’ is an abject failure. The system produces women (and men) who have no self-esteem and no morals (and no, morality is not religion and teaching morality does not violate the constitution). Men and women who rush to abort their babies do not value their partners enough to want or protect the child created by their union, which is pathetic, aside from the debased amorality. Even sadder are the prospective grandparents who would characterize future grandchildren as ‘inconveniences’ preferably aborted by their teenage or young adult children.

Consider also if the 40 million babies that have been aborted were alive today, we would not have a Social Security crisis.

I'm a teenage girl, and I honestly feel I ought to have some say in this. My parents felt that talking about sex with me was awkward, so we never had 'the talk'. Luckily, my public middle school taught me what I needed to know. The only thing is... I noticed that many of my peers didn't plan on abstinence. Therefore, they were back at square one. They have many misconceptions, and are practically crying out for someone to teach them. I think that there should be a course, but that parents have the choice to say, "Look, I don't want my child taught this," and the child can take a different course. I'd LOVE for parents to teach their children about sex, but for teens like me, there needs to be SOMETHING besides the abstinence-only course.

In response to Pat's comment about 40 million abortions...IF those babies were born we'd be in a hell of a lot worse shape economically that we wouldn't have to worry about Social Security. Do you really think that argument flies in this day and age?

Women DESERVE the right to choose. NO ONE has the right to tell me what I can or can't do with my body and until you've walked a mile in my shoes you can't possible think you can tell me what to do?? I'm right...right?

~Amy~

Lizzie is correct..listen to a teenage girl ladies on this list. SHE needs education, or needed it and didn't get it from her parents.

Teenagers are CRAVING straight honest talk about EVERYTHING..not just sex..it can no longer be a "morality" issue...it has to be intuitive and heart center driven education.

~Amy~

BABIES=BETTER SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS? That is just crazy!
We are talking about sex education here, not the economics of birthing babies.

Having a baby might be one of the lesser of all evils of teenage sex. Try comforting a parent when they find out that their child is HIV positive. All aspects of sex whether having it or not should be discussed in school. We need to break out of the "American Dark Ages" and get with the program. No matter how much you preach abstinence, sex will be had, so teach proactively and help those that do become pregnant.

That's my story and I'm stickin to it!

For Pat:
I was pregnant at 16 and gave birth at 17. I am a democrat, though I was not raised as one. I was brought up in a republican and racist household. I chose to break out of those boundaries. I chose to love all people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, culture. I was endowed with freewill. Because of that, I chose to side with Democrats, who seem to want to help the working person and ensure equal access to benefits to all persons.

Do not draw "choice" boundary lines across political parties. You will lose. I (as an adopted child) prefer pregnancies that end in birth, but I know that choice rests with the pregnant woman. I am a democrat. I am a feminist. And I am pro-choice which equals pro-life for both mother and child. There is no such thing as "anti-life," which is the antithesis of the term "pro-life." The most important "life" is the person currently living it: aka the mother. I absolutely love babies, but I don't consider splitting cells (at 3 to 4 months) babies. While I do not support late-term abortions unless it is necessary to save the life of the mother (a living, breathing, loved being who is much more important than a stack of cells), I cannot tell another human what to do with his/her body. If only men could become pregnant, be forced to live a life of poverty and low self-esteem, then the issue of women's rights to their own bodies would be solved.

Speaking as someone who not too long ago left her teens, I will say that Sex Education is a MUST. Teenagers today NEED it, they don't need to be taught abstinence because the majority aren't going to do it. Teenagers are having sex, and will likely continue to have sex for the rest of time. They need to know how to protect themselves and all of the consequences of not protecting yourself, and potential consequences of sex itself even if you do protect yourself. Teaching abstinence is the quickest way to have teenagers end up just like Palin's daughter. Just looking at her situation alone, her argument for Abstinence should definitely make people scoff. It clearly worked so well for her family. Anyways, in the end, I will just say that Sex Ed is a must. Even if parents want to have talks with their kids, they should do it in addition to Sex Ed. I think they need to stop worryin about sheltering their kids so much, that's the reason so many of them end up in horrible situations. Because they were so sheltered that they didn't know what to do. My mom didn't shelter me from these things at all. She talked to me and I have Sex Ed all through school. I saw clearly the affects of STDs and teen pregnancies and everything to go with it. And I turned out damn well if I say so myself.

Bookworm51485
Well said.

Just looking at the comments at the beginning, I want to thank Linda for her comment. I hadn't even thought about that angle. It's not just a personal issue for families, it's a public safety issue. The reason the HIV/AIDS virus has spread so rampantly is because of a lack of education. Parents might have noble intentions, but most just aren't equipped with the knowledge, and in many cases, the guts to give their kids ALL of the information they need. I think people need to get over this, 'Their my kids, I'll decide what they need to know' idea. Something like Sex Ed is bigger than that. Like Linda said, it's a public health and safety issue. Something that could affect many innocent people because you decided that you didn't think your child should attend a Sex Ed course, or someone decided it would be a good idea to teach abstinence and nothing else, knowing that it's not gonna happen. I would stake my life on it, abstinence will NEVER work, NEVER happen, outside of brainwashing. So for the safety of each person and anyone they might come in sexual contact with, Sex Ed is needed and should be mandatory by law, in my opinion, despite what parents might want (unless they're prepared to prove that they are able and willing to provide proper education themselves).

Bookworm51485
Ditto.

Sex is a basic instink and the most fun that you can have with out laughing.

Preaching abstinence doesn't work. If Palin used this method with her own family, it proves that point. My mother never discussed sex with me so sex education needs to be taught somewhere.

As far as Palins daughter being preg. Well you can teach your children right from wrong. But they are free thinkers Just as we were when we were that age. If you remember we thought we knew EVERYTHING.
Teenagers are going to have sex. We can teach them abstinence. But with raging hormones well we all know that wont work. So I think it would be better to teach then safe sex. That makes more sense.

well i think she is a mother and her thoughts should be respected,i think its a good if she wants to include sex education,atleast parents have been doing it all this while and it hasnt been working,so maybe if the government intervenes it will reduce it.Let the government make it a rule or whatsoever,cos teenage pregnancy is just too rampant.Well this is my own view

Let's start at the beginning: Sex makes a family. Agreed?
So, questions here should, and will, be normal: Where did I come from? - From your tummy? - And what did Dad do? - That seems kids' talk - and it is that. And kids search, try to find. And our "great experts" now who want to suppress any physical contact -even playing 'tag' or giving a 'hug'- as a quasi "rape!" are mad and destructive.
Biology is a school subject - but sex is a personal one, and a young person should be in the family. Unfortunately, our "feminist experts" have done their 9/11 there, too: "family is patriarchic oppression of women", "marriage is legalized rape", and "all men are rapists".
Forget them, and NOW. Children need parents - and I underline the plural-'s'. And if we don't suppress but support our children and their natural development they will turn out loving -not just f...ing- and neither accidentalkly pregnant nor homosexual (expect in the few instances where a mutation in the sexual gene set has, indeed, occurred - which is very rare and deserves our tolerance).
The other major point -and here, NOW's ruling power in the elite ranks of the "Democratic" party (see Hillary and Wellesley College) has cost Kerry his presidency- is abortion.
When I taught my course in "Problems and Ethics in the Progress of Science", esp. Medical Science, I made it clear that we need national, regional, and global population controls - but not through "conveyor belt abortions". There are better ways - and they are available to most of us in the richer world. And we can ever further them in the poorer parts. The answer is not "a Woman's Right", but "Everybody's Responsibility".
The problem is not Roe vs. Wade, but the way perjury was used to create a law aimed at releasing women from any responsibility. Jane Roe, or rather Norma McGovern, was never raped but pregnant by her boyfriend, and her pregnancy was not such a burden to her - she carried it out and gave the baby up for adoption.
In short: 30 million women based their "right" to kill their unborn on a criminal lie, initiated through some middle-uper-class "women's righters" tricking a poor girl into lies before the Supreme Court. That is not the way to make laws for a decent society.
We may have to accept the necessity of an abortion in some cases - but that is a sad decision - NOT A RIGHT! A right is something to exercise, enjoy and celebrate. This, however, is not anything of that kind.
Yes: Roe/Wade has to go - it is a lie. Let us have a real discussion, without the power hunger of some self-appointed "women's rights" advocates who pretend to speak for all women.
Women are not such self-centered consumerist bimbos. Real women have feelings, need love, need men, need family. They don't throw away the best they have: their unique womanhood - just to make a career in an aircon office and a likewise cold home.
This whole thing has stunk from the start. And even the smouldering (not burning) Bush could have been chased out if the glorious "Right" of child-disposal had not strangled Kerry in the last elections. It was the vote of women who want family and children more than a luxury appartment and car that brought an otherwise sensible presidential candidate down. Thank, NOW. Doing it again? Thank you - without me - and millions others.
Dr. Joan Boost

Often you just have to use the guideline, "What Would Jesus Do" and there's your answer. Jesus is for the family and He wants parents to do their job which is to "train up a child in the way he should go". If you, as the parent, do this, the child will get all the education that he needs, at home, at the proper times, in his life.

Having worked in Family Planning as a teen myself I saw first hand the misinformation that kids give each other. We need Sex Ed in schools to keep it unbiased and accurate. Yes, parents should inpart their moral values on their children but that doesn't mean that their children will follow their advice. Gov Palin should realize now that abstinence only education doesn't work with her daughter as a blazing example. The schools teach science and evolution and all the other subjects surrounding reproduction. The parents should temper anything they disagree with and let the kids have knowledge of both sides.

NOONE has the right to talk to my child about sex but me. How dear they think that ist alright to bring something that important to school and think that it's ok. In my city they have already stated that and I was in the 5th grade. I feel it makes you want to go out in try what they are talking about and i don't want my child going out there doing so. I want to be the one that she comes to when it comes to very important things in her life and to that is one of the.

I think that she is correct with her teaching but I am not so sure of her motives. Abstinence is what God says. You may not believe in God but that doesn't make Him not be. See, we as people need to take time to study and seek divine wisdom and truth. We all know that if you do not have sex, you do not have kids, or get STDs. It’s just that simple!! Is it the fact that she is speaking as a candidate for Vice President or that she is trying to represent a true Christian value and proposing to teach Godly morals to our youth? Whatever the case, we need to take heed to Godly knowledge when it is spoken, because once we know the right thing to do and we refuse to even try to do it, we are guilty of sin, and imagine us parents that allow our children to suffer because we feel that she is wrong. Let me tell you, your feelings really do not matter, because Satan is the master manipulator of feeling and emotions, so knock it off because you are responsible for getting those children to heaven. If we would train our children in the first school, which is home about God's Word, then this will just be confirmation to them. We will be judge accordingly. Just think of this as a blessing to your children. No man knows the day nor the hour when the Son of Man shall appear, so let’s take heed, lest we miss out on the kingdom that God has prepared for those that love HIM.

P. S Obama still has my vote!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

since the government stepped in and gave the children the right to keep stuff from parents we have schools full of hiv infected kids parents nor schools should hand a comdom to a kid and say if you do something use this we cant even get adults to use contraceptives thats why so many are for abortion teach your children abstinence its the only way to go mcain has my vote and i am trying hard to talk others into it obama will ruin us look at allll the bad people he has been associated with

I believe that Mr. McCain is now using Sarah Pailing to do his speeches...it now seems that it is Sarah Pailing running for office and she has Senator McCain just standing by her side like a Robot making hand gestures, what kind of leaders from the free world would they make? I do not trust these two not even if they paid me...I will go with Senator Obama and Joe Bidens ticket 110%, I would would sugest to the rest of you undecided voters to do the same, and if you don't believe me watch them together on their next campaign stop. Governor Pailin does the talking and Senator McCain just stands there making silly gestures.

the camps seem to come down to a) people who discuss issues and its ok to disagree or b) people who are my way or the highway I guess i have to go with a

Abstinence only education worked out really well for Gov. Palin's seveteen year old din't it? She is only five months pregnant! What a fantanstic example for our young ladies to have in the White House right?

I think that both the parnets and the school should teach children sex ed. For one there are to many parnets out there who don't feel comfortable talking to their kids (like mine) or who just don't talk to them about sex ed. Now I do believe that the parnets should have to sign a perimission slip for their child to be involved in a sex ed class and that they should recieve a lesson plan on what is going to be tought. And parnets such has myself who are worried about the relgious aspect of it should make sure to talk to their children about what the Bible says about sex before marriage.

I believe that the discussion of sex in schools should be limited to the biological stuff and could be possibly taught in the latter part of middle school. Beleive it or not, younger children may not be able to handle the idea of sex as readily as reading, writing, and math. Sex is a convoluted issue and can't simply be explained away in a "matter of a fact" manner. Sometimes too much information can be just as detrimental as not enough information.

As far as covering Std's, I don't neccessarily believe that many of our teachers are equipped to handle the issue in a practical and objective point of view. If the full subject of sex ed is to be implemented, teachers would have to be trained specifically in this area. I don't know about the rest of the United States but that isn't happenning on Guam.

Let's face it the debate over "pre-marital" sex is far ranging and I'm not comfortable with just anyone teaching my children about the complicated nature of sex.

I have twins that are eight and one ten year old. I've been very open with them about the issue of sex and the emotions involved with it. Learning about the complexities of sex does not begin in a particular grade or with someone not privy to our children's mental maturity. This issue has to start from the home and is a continuing subject. It evolves just as our childrens personalities and should be adjusted to their level of maturity. My children are inquisitive and at times it can be uncomfortable but I have a straight forward attitude.

As young as my children are, we discuss and debate issues ranging from politics to sex. Education is extremely important but communication is key.

I don't have the energy or the time to delve into the debate as deeply as I would like to, but I will state where I stand:

As for the Abstinence vs. Sex Education in schools: Abstinence is definitely preferable. Sex education should be done by parents in the privacy of their own homes. I raised two boys (the youngest of which is now 18) and sex was/is discussed openly in our home. I didn't demand abstinence, that would have been a mistake, but I held it up there as the target, the highest obtainable goal. And I taught my children that they were worth the struggle it would be to reach that goal... that they are worth it! Both of my boys seem well adjusted and neither of them is a parent (or expected parent) yet. The fact that some parents are not fulfilling their obligations does not mean that I should subject my children to someone else's views in a public format.

As for Palin: I'm totally willing to give her a chance. She's not perfect, she isn't pretending to be. Funny, I'm not perfect. And I'm willing to bet that there are a whole lot more of us "non-perfect" people out there. I love the fact that she comes from a small town and was a respected leader there... they are the people that really know her after all, that should tell us something. I certainly don't condemn her because her teenage daughter is pregnant. Anyone who has ever raised a teenager knows that a parent's "control" has it's limitations, and they WILL make mistakes despite the best of parents. Some mistakes are just more public than others.

I believe Palin makes the Republican ticket much more appealing. I am a Hockey mom and I don't wear lipstick.

Jesus spoke his mind and look where it got him.

What would Jesus do? mmmm let's ask him.
Jesus was a man, what do you think he would have done?

Jesus was JUST A MAN, no more or less than any man walking the planet today. He had some great ideas about how we should treat each other and how the world should work. His problem was he told too many big mouthed Christians and got himself killed.

Get real people!

~Amy~

I think the key here is a mandatory parenting class for every citizen with children. We are not born knowing about child development, nobody does. We need to take a driving class to obtain our first driving license. We need to go to college to obtain a degree and have a better career opportunities. Telling a teenager, "Don't have sex" when all they hear and see is exacly the contrary, is just ridiculous! Now is wayyyyyyyy too late! Our society has gone way too far and we need to address the reality. Lets begin by educating us, the adults with great sex skills, and if the government wants to teach about sex at schools, the programs should be tought to parents only, not to kids. Or you are going to tell me that abstinence has already worked for Sarah Palin's daughter???? Come on, America!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm still in disbelief the GOP/McCain camp thought they'd get Clinton voters, just because we are women and Hillary is a woman. I will say that, not in debate but reference only, I will be voting for Obama in November. However, I paid attention to Hillary's speeches and ideas, as I did women who backed her. What amazes me is that John McCain (and/or his campaign) think women are stupid and narrow-minded enough to elect a candidate based SOLEY on gender?

Hey gentlemen, we are the ones who can chew gum, put on our make-up, drive the car, talk on our cell phone, arrive at our destination safely, plan dinner, pick up the dry cleaning AND have another thought, all at the same time. Idiots. Palin stands for the exact opposite of not only Obama and Biden, but especially Hillary Clinton. But hey, guess they can enjoy their 'fake cloud 9' for a little bit.

Sorry, I went off subject there (and suppose just proved my previous point): I believe that schools, at an appropriate age (just prior to puberty), should educate children about sex, ONLY in the anatomy and physiology aspect. Morals, ideas, concerns and guidelines should be handled within the family of each individual child. According to our constitution, the government and church shall remain seperate, thus the government has no jurisdiction regarding this subject.

In regards to religion, the government/church rule applies again and we are not supposed to push our religious beliefs on anyone. That's all I got to say about that...LOL
Thanks for taking the time to consider my perspective and allowing me to express it. :)

This is amazing to me. I am the mother of a 15 year old boy and a 9 year old girl. I am an AVID democrat and feel that Palin is talking out of her *^&^. She, the mother of a girl who was pregnant as a teen, obviously was lost in that conversation with her daughter. My son and I have always had a very open relationship, we talk about everything and he know's how to be responsible. I would be foolish to think that just because I said something and the schools back it up that it will work. They need to be educated to understand that it is not all about unwanted pregnancy, it is also about disease, protection is the only way to prevent any of these scenarios and if parents aren't prepared to discuss this with their children, someone needs to be. The schools in VA do a great job of it. They are very open with the kids, based on age. If you take sex ed out of the schools or try to preach abstinence, we will see teenage pregnancy and STD's go through the roof. I am so glad to see that I am joined by so many other smart open thinking people out there.

I agree that sex ed should be taught in school. where my children go they do have a nurse that comes in to talk about sex, but she also talks alot about pure pressure and self esteem and the struggles of having sex to early. I have three children two girls and a boy. we discuss alittle about the boys and girls with them they are only 9,3,and 6 and to them pure pressure is more of a topic, because they do not know what sex is yet. I have told my children that school is so much more important to them than a boy or a girl and getting close with the opposit sex. I think that if it is taught in school it needs to be addressed in the home as well. With staining from sex is not the answer, because as we all know school and pur pressure is hard and alot of kids want to fit in with their friends we need to be teaching our children morals and helping our children understand that we want them to be the best in life and listening to friends is not the answer, but if the government stays involved in our children's thoughts and actions who knows where our children of tomorrow will end up. You can not hide from sex or drugs or diseases all you can do is teach your children to stay away from the things that will hurt them in life and hope and pray that they will follow the right examples and not the wrong examples.

Teaching Sex education is a little like teaching pool safety. You can put a fence around a pool and warn the young ones to stay out, but some of them will jump the fence and dive in the pool no matter what you say. So, wouldn'tit be wiser to teach them how to swim, so that if they get in that pool they stay safe?

I know this is a delicate subject, but we need to recognize that this is a public health issue. It would be great if every parent was responsible enough to give their kids proper sex education - right now that's not happening. We need to keep our kids safe, and in the real world that means getting over our squeamishness about sex.

I think the parent needs to do the sex education and the schools need to just kind of help along. The goverment needs to mind its own business. Gov. Palin lyed and she tried to hide her daughters pragnency.

Palin is a good one to put abstanince at the forefront, seeing her daughters condition.

I think people should be able to have the option of having them teach sex ed in schools! It's ridiculous that they want to take that out. You can choose whether or not your kid takes that class or not! So don't try to take it away from everybody else who WANTS their kids to be able to learn about it!

You need to teach sex education! Teach the options (including abstinence) if you want those who are sexually active to know how to be safe.

You know I was one of those girls who was an unwed mothers. I know who hard it is to be pregnant and young. It wasn't that I was pregnant that made it bad for me it was people who were saying very bad things about me. I forgive those people b/c the knew no better. My pregnancy and my decision was not a hard one I am so glad that I have a wonderful child... A child that is amazing, I have many things to say but all that comes into my heart and mind is the unborn is lives. They have a heart and eyes they have a soul. They are not some kind on tool you can get rid of because unborn children are ( God's children as well).... When we make a mistake or get into something that we think we can not handle just pray and I know that Jesus will give you the hope that he gave me. I think that all sex related talk/education should come form your parents those who love you unconditionally and form your church. There is no one who cares more for people then those we were blessed with. I know there are other people with different views but I was always taught that we take care of our own... And with the love of our savior he will see us through. I also feel that these are topics that just take us away form what is really going on in lives. We have a war where our sons and daughters, brothers, sisters, dad or moms are fighting and we have people who are out of jobs looking for food. I feel that this is a topic that needs to be put on hold until we look at what is really going on in America. For God so loved the world that he gave his only bogotten son that whoso ever beliveth on hom should not parish but have everlasting life. Pray for those who suffer pray for me... Thank you for your time. And may god bless you all....

I don't feel that IVillage should be involved in politics.

Ok, first let me say: can we please put aside the fact that Palin has a pregnant daughter. No one is perfect we all make mistakes.


Next let me say this: I am 16 years old, a virgin, and proud of it. Let me also say that Out of all of my friends I can think of two that are still virgins. I can also think of at least three others who have gotten pregnant while still in high school.

And thse were also girls who's parents talked with them at home.
I'm definitely not saying it's the parents' faults. Some parents themselves are not educated and some just don't have the time to spend. But one way or another kids need to know. Because obviously the parent taught method isn't working. And I'm not saying that abstinence is the only option. Granted it is MY PREFERRED METHOD OF CHOICE, but nonetheless there are other paths to consider.

I have seen an odd phenomenon of reverse psychology plaguing my high school. The kids who are drilled with abstinence tend to revolt, while those of us who were just told to wait until we're ready and that it is our decision tend to do just that. However I do believe that abstinece is the only foolproof method and should bear the most weight should sex ed be taught in school.

That's all I've got for ya now. But just know that kids are having sex and it's not ending well. And Parents should not be forced to be the sole method of info.

The abstence only sex ed method is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!!! Seriously if you think telling a teen no is going to work then maybe you were never a teen??? I know for a fact that when me and my close friends were teens telling us no was a sure fire way to get us to do what ever it was you were forbidding!

Its pretty obvious the the parent taught method is not working so Im thinking its high time that SOMEBODY stepped in and started knocking some sense into our youth. Im not saying schools should hand out BC but I do think schools should educate kids about it, where to get it, and what can happen IF you have sex without it.

The plain and simple truth is that there are kids that are going to have sex no matter what they are taught at home or at school....the least we can do is protect them from disease and teen pregnancy.

Do you people really believe everything that the liberal press tells you? Don't you ever do any research on your own?

Sarah Palin never said she wanted an "abstinence only" sex education. This is what she said: "I'm pro-contraception, and I think kids who may not hear about it at home should hear about it in other avenues. So I am not anti-contraception. But, yeah, abstinence is another alternative that should be discussed with kids. I don't have a problem with that," Palin said.

How could any of you have a problem with that?

I think education should be a collaborative between schools and parents. I am a preschool teacher and teach children to protection themselves from strangers and sex offenders. Parents need to put their guards down and really look at the curriculum taught in schools, voice opinions and share concerns. The curriculum that we use is called Talking About Touching.

I think it is great for schools to teach sex-ed. My daughter will also learn it at home, but too many kids don't. We had it in school and it was informative. However, my school (and several of us complained) didn't even mention abstinence. It needs to be presented as an option.