Education | Planned Parenthood

Practicing Abstinence

: Image via Wikipedia

For many teens and some young adults, the pressure to become sexually active can be a very difficult decision for them to make. Many times the pressure may stem from other people within their circle of influence who are already sexually active, or from the significant person in their lives who may be ready to take their relationship to “the next level.”

If a person is not ready to have sex, or if they’ve been sexually active for a while and want to stop, abstinence is what they will choose to do to help them avoid sex. Abstinence is a lifestyle that doesn’t practice sex in any kind of way, and requires that anybody who is in a relationship with that person understands and respects their position. Although for some who practice it, abstinence may not be easy, over time it can become easier for them to manage and handle on a long-term basis.

The best way to practice abstinence would of course be to say “no”, but often is easier said than done. With so many temptations and opportunities around the person who is abstaining, they can experience failure if they’re not mentally prepared to deal with the challenges.

The person should avoid placing themselves in compromising situations where there are opportunities, especially if they find that they are weak or mentally unprepared. Also, making it very clear through communications as to what their intentions are is also a good way to help avoid any problems.

It’s also a good idea for the person to talk to other people who are also practicing abstinence to get tips and advice on handling situations. It also helps the person to form a new circle of friends who have the same goals and thoughts as they have. Over time, coping becomes easier and a new way of life!

Filed Under: Sexual Health, Sexual Life, Sexual Problem Tagged With: Abstinence, Education, Human sexual activity, Sex education

Teaching Preschoolers About Sex

The Right Time to Learn

Preschoolers are very inquisitive little folks with a never-ending thirst for information. Their brains are like small sponges and they love to just soak up information of all types. Learning about something awkward like sex education is never easy, but imagine having to teach it as well! So when is the best time to learn about sex? For most parents of preschoolers, they will likely agree that teaching their preschooler about something like that is one subject that they would prefer to hold off from doing as long as possible.

Teaching it Slowly

As awkward as it may seem, it doesn’t have to be grueling or hard to do. The best approach to teaching preschoolers about sex is to take it very slow and give information to them in small chunks instead of all at once. Let them digest what you’re saying, ask them questions and then move to other subject areas as they are able to grasp what you’re saying.

Make your teaching style on the level where they’re able to understand what you’re saying. Don’t necessarily use “baby” talk or terms, but adjust your teaching style to bring it to a level that they can understand. Use visuals and pictures where it is appropriate to help you teach concepts as well. Children love to ‘see’ what they’re learning and it helps you more easily teach them as they use their imagination while you’re talking.

Happy Results

Young children can be a great joy to teach, even with something as awkward as sex eduction. You’ll be proud of the time that you spent carefully teaching them about an important subject because they’ll be able to understand more about their bodies, acceptable behavior and how to react in certain situations. It will be a good thing for both the child and the parent.

Filed Under: Sexual Health, Sexual Orientation Tagged With: Education, Preschool education, Sex education

Schools and Sex Education

Educating youngsters on the subject of sex and the topics that surround it can be a challenge for many adults. They may feel awkward to talk with such a sensitive top as sex with pre-pubescet or young adults. It is something that is important and needs to be discussed, but doing do so in an easy manner may not be something that is doable.

Many schools have sex education classes that they use to introduce children to the subject of sex education. Some of the classes and subjects are very thorough and exhaustive in their teachings. They talk about everything from the sexual reproductive system, sexually transmitted diseases and even topics on dealing with sex in social situations.

Some parents like the idea of scold interacting with their children and teaching them such an awkward subject. The parent can act as a support to what the school has already taught, and may choose to simply clarify something from a class or to further answer questions that couldn’t be answered in the classroom.

If parents choose to help the schools while they teach the kids about sex, they should check with the school on the proposed sex education curriculum and talk to the teacher who will be the instructor on the subject. Ask the teacher about their own benchmark goals for the class and their approach on how the subject will be handled. This is a great time to also voice concerns on certain topics that you do NOT want discussed in front of your child. They may ask you to sign a permission slip either way, but it’s primarily to give the children credit for the class instructional time. It also gives them a form of written permission on what to expose to and limit the children from on the subject of sex.

Filed Under: Sexual Health, Sexual Life, Sexual Orientation Tagged With: Education, Sex education, Sexually transmitted disease

Resources for Sex Education

: Image by crisispregnancyprogramme via Flickr

Sex education is taught in many public and private schools to students of all ages. Parents are usually asked for permission for the school to teach their child, and also asked to sign permission slips for the school to be able to expose their child to certain concepts and subject matters as it concerns sexual education.

In many cases with the schools, they use textbooks as the main resource for teaching the kids about sex. They may also use other aids like pamphlets or brochures, and on occasion use a video as a part of their instructional time.

Successful sex education courses include resources from all areas that will help to develop a well-balanced curriculum for the student and the school. Other resources that help aid in the efforts can include:

- Bringing in industry experts like doctors or therapists who can give the students more information on other aspects of sex that include diseases, emotional maturity and exposure to other concepts.

- Instructional videos and DVD’s have also become a part of many school’s curriculum and sex education classes.

- Although textbooks are still used, sometiems they are now used as a larger part of the curriculum. Also, the child may even be tested on their knowledge of certain subject matter.

The school system may also turn to the community for support and a means for resources in their educational curriculum. They may ask for other industry experts to come in and speak with their students about sexually-related issues. Of course if this is done, the school must approve the person to address the students.

In large community’s where there are multiple schools in an area, resources may be combined to allow for more than one resource to serve the needs of several schools. This is very cost-effective and productive since it’s not creating any additional expenses or time constraints for the school. In the end, the goal has been met and the resources have been maximized.

Filed Under: Sexual Health, Sexual Life Tagged With: DVD, Education, School, Sex education

World Sexual Health Day

September fourth of 2010 was World Sexual Health Day. This celebration was sponsored by many large organizations and businesses. The WAS, or World Association for Sexual Health, started the initiative to have a day to celebrate sexual health in order to encourage and participate in open public forums concerning sexuality and acceptance of others. Open and respectful discussions were had at the 2010 meeting, as in past years. More than 30 cities from all over the globe have participated in the events and sponsored visitors and guests. This includes three Islamic countries, and many other nations that are popularly considered too prudent to study sexual health. Though, their participation proves that they are more forward-thinking than other nations like the United Kingdom about sexual health.

Local volunteers and staff members of the World Association for Sexual Health implemented tactics to bring in big crowds. The visitors were entertained with bizarre and fascinating activities, games, and films. Singing and dancing were also part of the events at World Sexual Health Day in September. More activities are being planned for the annual events to come. Volunteers are constantly on the look out for original and innovative ways to teaching sexual health skills.

The topics covered by discussion groups on World Sexual Health Day are as varied as the types of sharks in the world. From important, serious discussions to the light-hearted debates about topical aspects of human sexuality, there is something for everyone to get involved in, and to be passionate about. Films being shown on World Sexual Health Day consist of new submissions, older educational films that have been seen by previous guests, and web-isodes of information that are meant to entice younger audiences into paying attention. The World Association for Sexual Health is interested in helping people to be healthier, safer, and better informed.

Filed Under: General, Sexual Health, Sexual Life Tagged With: Education, Health, Reproductive health, Sexuality

Planned Parenthood and Sex Education

As the President of the United States changes, many changes also occur with public education programs and government funding. When George W. Bush was president, he instated a public education health program that discussed abstinence only, instead of informing high school students of the risks involved with having unprotected sex. Instead of teaching about forms of contraception available, how to avoid unwanted pregnancy, and the necessary steps to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases, the teachers were forced to promote abstinence only. This is simply unrealistic, and Planned Parenthood, along with many other health organizations, took a stand against this policy.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America helped to develop a more realistic approach to sex education, performing surveys in schools across the country and compiling documents designed to inform and educate high school students about how to protect themselves when engaging in sexual activity. In the surveys, it was determined that teaching abstinence-only sex education does not decrease the number of people who are having sex; instead it just allows uninformed individuals to engage in sexual activity that can lead to sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancy. Neither program actually decreases the number of students who are engaging in sexual activity. Instead, when students are taught the risks involved in having sex, they are more likely to use protection and take precautions against unwanted risks, such as disease or pregnancy, since they are more aware and understand what could happen if they have unprotected sex. Planned Parenthood clinics also offer comprehensive sex education to individuals, since they may not be getting the necessary information anywhere else. Teaching sex education in schools is crucial to prevent the continued spread of sexually transmitted disease, and is an issue that Planned Parenthood will continue to fight until comprehensive sex education is taught in schools throughout America.

Filed Under: Parenthood, Pregnancy, Sexual Problem Tagged With: Education, Planned Parenthood, Sex education

Planned Parenthood’s Legal Issues Today

Since the creation of Planned Parenthood in 1916, they have dealt with legal problems due to progressive and innovative care and services offered to women. The clinics remain some of the few locations where women can have an elective abortion, and they also provide birth control and permanent sterilization procedures. In 1973 Roe v. Wade, a historic court case, overturned previous legislation about a woman’s right to abortion. Abortion was previously outlawed, but the judge on the case recognized that it was a woman’s constitutional right to have an abortion and keep this choice private. Three years later, Planned Parenthood helped to fight for a woman’s right to choose without spousal or parental consent to women over 16 years old. Planned Parenthood has continued to fight for this right throughout the years, and has won in several court cases to keep this right for women to choose.

Additionally, the clinics provide sexual education to people who may not be receiving it in school. Since the Bush administration, abstinence-only sex education is all that is provided in many high schools, which simply does not provide information to teenagers who currently are engaging in, or plan to engage in sexual activity. Without being taught about the risks and dangers of unprotected sex, the number of cases of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies will skyrocket. Teens simply must have access to this vital information. Planned Parenthood clinics offer contraception, counseling, and testing to patients of all ages, so for sexually active teens, a visit to a Planned Parenthood clinic is vital to obtain the necessary information and products to keep themselves and their partners safe, especially since they won’t be receiving it in school. Since the passing of the abstinence-only education bill, over 3 million patients visited Planned Parenthood clinics throughout America.

Filed Under: Advice, Parenthood Tagged With: Education, Planned Parenthood, Sex education