The glories of the Government teaching your kids about sex.

[Ysobelle]

I think "abstinence-only sex education" is a bitter oxymoron to begin with, but this just maks me nuts.


From http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=17263


Abstinence only sex education courses lie to youngsters with scary ‘facts'
03 Dec 2004

Some federally funded abstinence sex education courses tell youngsters that 50% of all American teenage gay men are HIV positive, touching someone's genitals can make you pregnant and abortion can lead to sterility and suicide, says the Washington Post. This is according to a congressional staff analysis.

The study was ordered by Henry Waxman, Californian Congressman. It studied 13 abstinence sex education courses - all of them federally funded. Millions of children throughout the USA have been on these courses (aged 9-18 ). The Bush administration is injecting $170 million into these courses during 2005.

According to the Washington Post, 11 of the studies contained information that was completely untrue and made subjective conclusions from these false statements.

The courses stated that ‘condoms fail in 31% of cases of heterosexual sex'. Some of the courses went on to say that a fetus is a thinking person when it is just 43 days old. Many of the courses claimed that you can catch HIV from a person's tears.

In an interview with the Washington Post, Waxman said he is not against the idea of abstinence courses, but he is against using lies.

In an email received from Medical News Today, a health expert wrote ‘Are we going back to the days when priests told young boys not to masturbate because you could go blind? Is this the kind of sex education we want for our kids?”

[Eric McTavish]

oh goodie misinformed youth I guess we can look forward to a rise in teen pregancy in the coming years...

[WitchWench]

I wonder what would happen if the government pulled funding for those classes, and say someone like Trojan funded them instead........

[Eric McTavish]

I wonder what would happen if the government pulled funding for those classes, and say someone like Trojan funded them instead........
well then we'll get a Corp. giving out info slanted toward increasing their profit line...

[WitchWench]

I wonder what would happen if the government pulled funding for those classes, and say someone like Trojan funded them instead........
well then we'll get a Corp. giving out info slanted toward increasing their profit line...

Ok, granted.
But, are there greater repurcussions to them not telling atleast a whole lot more of the truth.... if we find out the Govt is lying to us, we moan and vote differently next time.... if we find out a company is lying to us, we boycott, and potentially put them out of business.... wouldn't that encourage them to be atleast MORE accurate than what's out there now?

[Eric McTavish]

in all honesty anyhting would be more accurate that the Abstance system they are teaching now...

[WitchWench]

in all honesty anyhting would be more accurate that the Abstance system they are teaching now...

unfortunately, very true.

[Nevada]

Geez why can't they give both scenarios...abstinence is best practice, however be prepared for these consequences if you have unprotected sex...what is so hard about compromise now a days? Gods I still remember the VD video they showed us in 8th grade :shock:

[Phoenix McHeit]

My personal beef with this is: I'll be the one to teach my children about sex, thankyouverymuch. But then again, I have a very open relationship with my boys, and we c an talk about anything. None of this "Hoo boy here comes The Talk" stuff in my home.

Sex-Ed has its place, I'm sure... like for people who can't or won't talk openly & freely with their children. But in all honesty... would you rather your children come to you with questions, or to the Government? (& yes I realize not all kids are gonna feel comfortable asking good old Mom & Dad about that stuff) But IMHO, if you can't talk to your kids about sex, you can't talk to em about anything of importance.

.....end of parenting-rant, thank you....

[Eric McTavish]

Geez why can't they give both scenarios...abstinence is best practice, however be prepared for these consequences if you have unprotected sex...what is so hard about compromise now a days? Gods I still remember the VD video they showed us in 8th grade :shock:

because then people might think sex before marrage might not be EVIL and we cant have that now can we...

[Lady Sarah]

ugh.... Phoenix, I'm with you - education of any kind begins in the home. Drug education, Sex Education, etc - it is the parents' responsibility to start the dialog, be available to answer questions, watch their kids and take an interest in their activities. I'm not advocating that they be monitored like a Prisoner, but simply watched over.

Growing up, my brother and I were pretty much free birds. If we went out, we both got the standard inquisition: Where are you going? Who are you going with? When will you be back? How are you getting there? Do you have money to call in case of emergency? If you're not going to be back at ... time, then call us and let us know. if we said midnight, that didn't mean 12:05 am. It meant MIDNIGHT or a phone call saying we're gonna be a bit late.

it wasn't that our parents were tyrants, it was that they were concerned for our safety. We could go anywhere we wanted - as long as Mom and Dad knew about it. We could do anything we wanted, as long as Mom and Dad knew about it. neither one of us ever had to resort to sneaking out the windows in the dead of night - we had too much respect for our parents to do that (and a healthy dose of fear as well! ~L~)

Point is, the crap about taking a village to raise a child is just that - crap. It takes a parent who's willing to assume the responsibilities that come with that 5 minutes of bliss nine months prior. It is not up to the teachers to raise our children. Sex Ed should begin at home at the first signs of puberty.

I mean, I'm *still* teaching my parents all about it! ;)

[Nevada]

I agree it should start at home...but then I have noticed a large number of kids who arent even taught basic manners and hygiene much less sex education...fortunately between mom and older brother I knew the ramifications of sex and what it entailed...GO MOM!

[WitchWench]

I agree it should start at home...but then I have noticed a large number of kids who arent even taught basic manners and hygiene much less sex education

Even if we ignore the portion of society that are quite literally kids with kids, who don't have much of a clue about how to care for themselves, let alone another human being..... you've hit the nail on the head here... there's a portion of our society who aren't teaching their kids such significant basics, that sex education is way off the radar.

It's been said a million times but I really find myself adamant about it.... you have to take a test to drive a car, why the hell don't you have to take a test to raise a child?

[Eric McTavish]

It's been said a million times but I really find myself adamant about it.... you have to take a test to drive a car, why the hell don't you have to take a test to raise a child?

'cuz the bible says "go forth and multiply..."

[Emrld]

Part of the problem is the uneducated themsellves are having children when they are still children and don't know how to educate.
You also have the parents who "oooppppsss" were pregnant and don't take and active role in raising kids
And you have the I want a kid to fit in with the Jones family.

On the other end you have the single mom who works 2 jobs just to keep food on the table and a roof over the kids heads.

It really is a problem that majority (not all just a large amount) don't want to raise their children. They did their part to create the kid and keep them alive until kindergarten now it is someone elses job.

I really think that basic hygeine classes would be really helpful. Lots of children don't know how to wipe when done in the bathroom, or how to brush their teeth, or take a bath, or even how often. This could even go along the 1950's line and include some basics on clothing care. (How to sew on a button, how to repair a rip, how to iron, how to do laundry) Of course all of this would need to be age appropriate but, it would help.

I don't agree with abst. only classes. The only place they belong is in private religous based schools where the parents agree with that is what is being told to their child. I do agree that the need to learn that abst. is the only proven way to not catch an STD or become preg. I also think that teens need to be faced with realtiy of their choices.

[Nevada]

There is a teen here who last year had quads! (no fertility drugs involved) and she is pregnant again! no education..no job..wont pursue the father of both pregnancies for money, he's married btw, but somehow has money to go looking for the perfect tongue stud....her mother was a teen mom etc...I understand its a vicious cycle but gods to get pregnant by the same slime when the quads arent even 1 yr old again! sheer stupidity!

[emalia]

IT all boils down to one thing:
Lack of parenting..

If parents as a WHOLE would do their jobs, we wouldn't need these classes at all.
But becuase many parents scoff their parental responsibilities, society, and the government are forced to step in.

This was NOT directed at anyone person. All that I know are wonderful parents..

[Phoenix McHeit]

Too many people forget... "parent" is a VERB

[Adriana Rose]

Umm yea we all know that being abstinate will keep you from getting pregnate and all of that fun stuff but evidently the people who came up with the idea for the program has forgotten what it was like to be a teen......
Well all that there is going to be is a whole lot of really confused kids running around having babies and all of that fun stuff...*sigh*

[Mistress Kristi]

The problem is that when you are a child and you are told lies to scare you, you will eventually discover that one of them is a lie. When that happens you wonder if EVERYTHING you learned on that subject is a lie. This means that even when they WEREN'T lying you won't believe them anymore. Also, the more you tell someone not to do something the more they will want to do it. GAH! STUPID PEOPLE!

[Ysobelle]

I dislike posting things that make me angry when I don't also post some way to take action about them. So. Right on time, along comes Planned Parenthood!

http://www.ppaction.org/campaign/waxman

From: actioncenter@ppfa.org (Planned Parenthood Action Network)

This week, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) released a study that proves
what other research has already revealed - abstinence-only
programs are irresponsible and harmful to young people. Waxman's
study reviews the content of government-funded abstinence-only
programs and the news isn't good.

More than two-thirds of federally funded abstinence-only
programs distort information and mislead young people by giving
them false information about abortion and contraception,
particularly about the effectiveness of condoms.

Abstinence-only programs that give too little or wrong
information to young people can have life-threatening effects.
And they are out of line with the values of average Americans.
It's time to raise our collective voices and let our government
know the truth - REAL SEX ED SAVES LIVES.

Urge your representative in Congress to decrease funding for
programs that distort the truth and call for an investigation
into programs that provide deceptive information.

You can take action on this alert at:
http://www.ppaction.org/campaign/waxman

[Margaret]

I don't understand why the gov't feel it necessary to scare kids with fasle facts when the real ones are scary enough.

After all the AIDS related info.education put out in the early 80's and such, the rate of new AIDS/HIV cases declined. Now they are on the rise among all groups as well as STD infections and pregnancy.

Yes, abstinance is the best way to protect yourself but kids need to know how to protect themselves. Teach your kids a morality system, give them info about sex at home, give them honest facts at school.

There's alot of scary stuff out there and we have to be the ones to give our kids enough information to be able to make it through.

[*Gremco]

I have several friends that are teenage mothers. Most of them were taught about contraceptives ect, but simply ignored them. Unfortunately, being a single teenage mother is becoming a fad, a status symbol. I've had friends stop taking birth control just so they would get pregnant. You cannot place all the blame on the parents. In most cases, it was the teens choice to jump into bed.

I strongly agree that sex education should start at home, with the parents. I do not think that abstinence education is doing any good. Fact is, some teens are going to have sex no matter what you tell them, it has been this way from the dawn of humanity. You might as well inform them how to protect themselves.

My mother is a very conservative Catholic, so I was indoctrinated with no-contraceptives, no matter what the case. My school taught an abstinence-only program. The only time I ever was told about contraceptives was a one week segment in my freshman health class, who wonderfully presented the "abstinence is best, but there are ways to protect yourself should you go play."

I was frightfully close to putting myself in danger if it hadn't been for a dear friend sitting me down and telling me I knew I was going to start someday, get on birth control and do it now. I owe a lot to her. She is the only one who knocked sense into me and gave me the drive to not become a statistic.

[Captain Stamina]

Just remember the mentality of these people are the same one’s that have control of your social security and want to take control of your health care. If that doesn't scare you, nothing will.

[gardo]

Just remember it was the vote of the American people that put this government into power, from the local all the way up. This is what come about by placing a Religious baced government into power. Unfortunately the uneducated outnumber the educated it really does feel like John Carpenter's "They Live"

[Captain Stamina]

Just remember it was the vote of the American people that put this government into power, from the local all the way up. This is what come about by placing a Religious baced government into power. Unfortunately the uneducated outnumber the educated it really does feel like John Carpenter's "They Live"

Did you ever think that us "uneducated" folks just didn't want a self-proclaimed war criminal running the country?

[Alianne]

Just remember it was the vote of the American people that put this government into power, from the local all the way up. This is what come about by placing a Religious baced government into power. Unfortunately the uneducated outnumber the educated it really does feel like John Carpenter's "They Live"

Did you ever think that us "uneducated" folks just didn't want a self-proclaimed war criminal running the country?

Versus the guy who spent most of the 80's with a bottle in hand, a spoon up his nose and whose records for his National Guard service conveniently destroyed?

[Mylilpinkpig]

Just remember it was the vote of the American people that put this government into power, from the local all the way up. This is what come about by placing a Religious baced government into power. Unfortunately the uneducated outnumber the educated it really does feel like John Carpenter's "They Live"

Did you ever think that us "uneducated" folks just didn't want a self-proclaimed war criminal running the country?

Versus the guy who spent most of the 80's with a bottle in hand, a spoon up his nose and whose records for his National Guard service conveniently destroyed?

Exactly.

[gardo]

Just remember it was the vote of the American people that put this government into power, from the local all the way up. This is what come about by placing a Religious baced government into power. Unfortunately the uneducated outnumber the educated it really does feel like John Carpenter's "They Live"

Did you ever think that us "uneducated" folks just didn't want a self-proclaimed war criminal running the country?

Do you really think that educated outnumber the uneducated? Interesting.... How many "folks" that you know vote and I'm not just talking about the presidency, the local and all the way up. I saw that there were no good candidates this past election. Bush is a Zealot who in general is being backed mostly by zealots. Zealots tend to keep the masses uneducated and docile. I have a problem with Faith based decisions within government. Most of all the Red states are heavy Bible beating states that puts the fundamental “Word of God” before anything including the family.

But hey you voted and obviously for our current President, that is great, more power to you, exercise that right. Just be informed about your decisions

[Captain Stamina]

Yeah, he had a drinking problem. I guess we should brand the letter "D" on everyone's forhead (which would include me) that had a drinking problem.

Spoon up his nose? Outside of heresay, I haven't seen any proof. But what the hell, he's been accused of it, so he must be guilty.

National Guard Records. I thought this was finally cleard up with Dan Rather.

[gardo]

Yeah, he had a drinking problem. I guess we should brand the letter "D" on everyone's forhead (which would include me) that had a drinking problem.

Spoon up his nose? Outside of heresay, I haven't seen any proof. But what the hell, he's been accused of it, so he must be guilty.

National Guard Records. I thought this was finally cleard up with Dan Rather.

See but you still haven't answered the question posed; Do you believe that the uneducated out number the educated?

I don't care about his past drinking problems or yours, we all have something in the closet
If you think that I am attacking you then you are sadly mistaken, I was just trying to have an educated discussion here.

[Kae]

I am a teacher. If I felt the uneducated outnumbered the educated - then I am not doing my job. Do I think way to many people formulate opinions based on heresay and not fact? Yes. Do I worry about our future - Oh yes! But it is more than just the religious right that voted for Bush. I don't think Bush won based on the religious right, I think he won because Kerry scared more people than he did. It was a case of working with a known evil or taking a risk with a new one.
This topic - sex education - should be taught in the home. It should be taught with the facts and then with the moral leanings of the family. However, based on the fact that last year there was a contest among the boys at school to see who could get the most girls pregnant. And based on the number of 9th grade girls who are pregnant this year - somebody isn't doing their job. SO teachers have to step in, we don't have a choice. Is this right? Do I want this part of my job? NO! I enetered education to help give academic knowledge to children. To help better prepare them and the country for a global economy in the future. Instead, I find that I spend a lot of time discussing hygiene, sex education, proper eating etiquette, manners, preparing for a job interview.... I was not given classes on these subjects, but I know am responsible for imparting this kowledge to children. What happens to me if my opinions differ with those of a parent - I get called to task. Why didn't the parent teach them in the first place? Why do they only care when they disagree? Why do I have to do the job, when I didn't get any oof the pleasure? I love kids. I love to teach. But it is getting ridiculous. There is a reason there is a shortage of teachers in this country and it isn't just the lousy pay.

Kae
Getting off my soapbox now.

[Captain Stamina]

I'm sorry Gordo, I didn't realize that you were asking that question.

It has a lot to do with your definition of uneducated. For this discussion, let's define educated as someone that has a fairly good understanding of mathematics, history (world and U.S), can speak and write English, and has enough common sense NOT to end up a winner on the Darwin Awards.

Using the above definition, I am sorry to say that the number of uneducated people is rising. From what I’ve seen, the schools are teaching politically motivated topics instead of the basics needed to function through life. I’ve come across too many HS “graduates” that can’t write, do math, or think for themselves. When their confronted (point out that they made the incorrect change) I’ve gotten tears, or the ‘deer in the headlights’ and have had to deal with a manager.

[RichardMacHugely]

I wonder what would happen if the government pulled funding for those classes,

I think if the Government were to pull out prematurely, they would leave a lot of educators frustrated and disappointed.

[gardo]

I am a teacher. If I felt the uneducated outnumbered the educated - then I am not doing my job. Do I think way to many people formulate opinions based on heresay and not fact? Yes. Do I worry about our future - Oh yes! But it is more than just the religious right that voted for Bush. I don't think Bush won based on the religious right, I think he won because Kerry scared more people than he did. It was a case of working with a known evil or taking a risk with a new one.
This topic - sex education - should be taught in the home. It should be taught with the facts and then with the moral leanings of the family. However, based on the fact that last year there was a contest among the boys at school to see who could get the most girls pregnant. And based on the number of 9th grade girls who are pregnant this year - somebody isn't doing their job. SO teachers have to step in, we don't have a choice. Is this right? Do I want this part of my job? NO! I enetered education to help give academic knowledge to children. To help better prepare them and the country for a global economy in the future. Instead, I find that I spend a lot of time discussing hygiene, sex education, proper eating etiquette, manners, preparing for a job interview.... I was not given classes on these subjects, but I know am responsible for imparting this kowledge to children. What happens to me if my opinions differ with those of a parent - I get called to task. Why didn't the parent teach them in the first place? Why do they only care when they disagree? Why do I have to do the job, when I didn't get any oof the pleasure? I love kids. I love to teach. But it is getting ridiculous. There is a reason there is a shortage of teachers in this country and it isn't just the lousy pay.

Kae
Getting off my soapbox now.

See maybe I should clarify, education is not purely scholastic. The Learning process is continual by keeping informed. the education process starts in the home and that enviorment long before it hits the schools. Kae, as a teacher would you agree with that statement?

[Lady Sarah]

I wonder what would happen if the government pulled funding for those classes,

I think if the Government were to pull out prematurely, they would leave a lot of educators frustrated and disappointed.

:snarf:

[gardo]

I'm sorry Gordo, I didn't realize that you were asking that question.

It has a lot to do with your definition of uneducated. For this discussion, let's define educated as someone that has a fairly good understanding of mathematics, history (world and U.S), can speak and write English, and has enough common sense NOT to end up a winner on the Darwin Awards.

Using the above definition, I am sorry to say that the number of uneducated people is rising. From what I’ve seen, the schools are teaching politically motivated topics instead of the basics needed to function through life. I’ve come across too many HS “graduates” that can’t write, do math, or think for themselves. When their confronted (point out that they made the incorrect change) I’ve gotten tears, or the ‘deer in the headlights’ and have had to deal with a manager.
I see that I needed to clarify, again though we cannot completely blame the educators or the parents. The problem with all this is the system, and its us that make up the system. I came from the Ghetto was basically just passed along in school, my parents instead of helping would just blame me for the issues I was having in school and life. I got lucky and had a good Teacher that pulled me to the side and didn't give up on me. He saw that I had a real learning disability and "Educated" my parents about it. We worked on my speech, my writing, and comprehension, this worked for me. Now back on topic.

Some of the problems that we come across in the scholastic end is tenure. Teachers who have been in the same job too long with no recertification classes.

The other problem is the media spewing disinformation, for sensationalism alone.

Unfortunately I don’t know how to fix the situation but there are times that something is just broke and can’t be fixed, at that we then need to replace or start over.

[Kae]

Yes, Gardo, I agree with your definition. However, I am tired of being the one who has to do both the families job and the career I choose. It saddens and demoralizes every teacher I know. We see way to many children ignored or blamed or punished but not educated at home. They aren't starting the learning process at home. Even those educated parents. I had a friend, a college graduate, who wouldn't read to her daughter because she thought it would make school to easy for her. She didn't want her to be bored. Attitudes like that are common, not uncommon. How do we change that? How do we educate the parents on the responsibilities of parenting? Do we have the right?

How do we as citizens teach our fellow citizens the benefit of being informed? The fact that life is a constant learning experience that does not stop with a diploma? I try to instill that in all of my students, and I rejoice when just one of them figures it out. It is the others that scare me.

Kae

[Alianne]

Yeah, he had a drinking problem. I guess we should brand the letter "D" on everyone's forhead (which would include me) that had a drinking problem.

Spoon up his nose? Outside of heresay, I haven't seen any proof. But what the hell, he's been accused of it, so he must be guilty.

Well, then I guess there's as much 'proof' on that as there is on Kerry being a war criminal.

[Captain Stamina]

Yeah, he had a drinking problem. I guess we should brand the letter "D" on everyone's forhead (which would include me) that had a drinking problem.

Spoon up his nose? Outside of heresay, I haven't seen any proof. But what the hell, he's been accused of it, so he must be guilty.

Well, then I guess there's as much 'proof' on that as there is on Kerry being a war criminal.\\

Please don't misquoteme. In my comment, I said “Self Proclaimed war criminal”. He's the one that freely confessed in front of congressional witnesses that he was a war criminal.

[Ysobelle]

Yeah, he had a drinking problem. I guess we should brand the letter "D" on everyone's forhead (which would include me) that had a drinking problem.

Spoon up his nose? Outside of heresay, I haven't seen any proof. But what the hell, he's been accused of it, so he must be guilty.

Well, then I guess there's as much 'proof' on that as there is on Kerry being a war criminal.\\

Please don't misquoteme. In my comment, I said “Self Proclaimed war criminal”. He's the one that freely confessed in front of congressional witnesses that he was a war criminal.


When he went in front of the hearings to say that the war itself was wrong? When he stood up for what he believed in, that the things he had done for his country were morally, fundamentally, politically, just wrong?

This is going to get stupid fast. You believe what you want to about Senator Kerry, we'll believe what we want to about President Bush. The election was over a month ago. I'll be over here writing my congressmen about my problems with faith-based initiatives, gag rules, abstinence-only sex education, and the erosions of a woman's right to choose.

[Captain Stamina]

I would hate for this to become stupid. I haven’t had the opportunity to have a good political debate for many years, so I do enjoy the opportunity when it does arise.

I realize that the majority of those who post on this board are liberal, or anti-Bush, or both. I applaud you for your resolve and steadfastness in your belief. I have said in the past and I will say it again, there are ideas and concepts that Bush has and is proposing that I do not agree with (ditto Clinton, Bush the Elder, and back to Nixon). But that’s another issue.

What I find most intriguing is the hypocrisy of this board. I made a post on this board (as have others) only to find out later that the story was false. I was severely chastised (as were the others) in a very unfriendly and unflattering way. I took my spanking and learned my lesson and validate the information before I post.

Now, I again come across a post that is or has parts of it untrue concerning the President. Rather than post unfriendly chastisement, I point out the lies and state the facts, and ask where there is proof for other allegations. Instead of agreement on the facts or providing any proof that is requested, the results of my counterpoint are any one of the following:
1. my comments are misquoted,
2. the facts are dismissed and I am assaulted with another round of accusations,
3. the topic is turned to address something else that isn’t relevant to the original discussion,
4. I am dismissed with the “believe what you want”.

Lies, half-truths, and unsubstantiated accusations concerning the president will continue to be flung about. There will be no checking of the facts, only agreement with what is written, whether it is true or not because that’s what you want to hear or you refuse to check the facts.

The only thing I ask, before I resign myself from this thread is, how would you feel if you read a post that had a false accusation of someone, and as you went to their defense, you were treat like I have been.

[Mylilpinkpig]

What I find most intriguing is the hypocrisy of this board. I made a post on this board (as have others) only to find out later that the story was false. I was severely chastised (as were the others) in a very unfriendly and unflattering way. I took my spanking and learned my lesson and validate the information before I post.

.

May I ask what post you are referring too?

[Holly]

I am a teacher. If I felt the uneducated outnumbered the educated - then I am not doing my job. Do I think way to many people formulate opinions based on heresay and not fact? Yes. Do I worry about our future - Oh yes! But it is more than just the religious right that voted for Bush. I don't think Bush won based on the religious right, I think he won because Kerry scared more people than he did. It was a case of working with a known evil or taking a risk with a new one.
This topic - sex education - should be taught in the home. It should be taught with the facts and then with the moral leanings of the family. However, based on the fact that last year there was a contest among the boys at school to see who could get the most girls pregnant. And based on the number of 9th grade girls who are pregnant this year - somebody isn't doing their job. SO teachers have to step in, we don't have a choice. Is this right? Do I want this part of my job? NO! I enetered education to help give academic knowledge to children. To help better prepare them and the country for a global economy in the future. Instead, I find that I spend a lot of time discussing hygiene, sex education, proper eating etiquette, manners, preparing for a job interview.... I was not given classes on these subjects, but I know am responsible for imparting this kowledge to children. What happens to me if my opinions differ with those of a parent - I get called to task. Why didn't the parent teach them in the first place? Why do they only care when they disagree? Why do I have to do the job, when I didn't get any oof the pleasure? I love kids. I love to teach. But it is getting ridiculous. There is a reason there is a shortage of teachers in this country and it isn't just the lousy pay.

Kae
Getting off my soapbox now.


...about teaching sex ed.. i remember my first year teaching, we got to draw straws.. and the one with teh short straw got to teach it..


and Gardo..
where i agree that some teachers need to be removed from the profession.. i feel that tenure is not the enemy.. but the shifting definitiion and expectations of what knowlege the teacher is to impart is the real problem....

and i know in PA there are several things a teacher needs to do to keep certified. Act 48 hours is the nickname for continueing ed bit. Also, saying that there are teachers who are not gettign retraining is not quite accurate. There are several days a year taht are training days for teacehrs. I know at headstart i have one per month as do most public schools. What we need to evaluate is what the districts are doing with these act 80 days<another nickname>. Some teachers are choosing not to keep learning but you have to work at not learning inthe education field these days...

[Holly]

]
What I find most intriguing is the hypocrisy of this board. I made a post on this board (as have others) only to find out later that the story was false. I was severely chastised (as were the others) in a very unfriendly and unflattering way. I took my spanking and learned my lesson and validate the information before I post.

.

Yes there is much hypocrisy...
but i appriciate your posts.. and other non-abusive posts... :)

[Kae]

Some teachers are choosing not to keep learning but you have to work at not learning inthe education field these days...


Huzzah!

Many think that we have all the days off that students do. We do not. We must continue our educational process every year. It just becomes harder and harder to do with all the other requirements we must abide by.

Kae

[Bonnie Strangeways]

I think *Gremco raised a very valid point, inthat to teens of today, pregnancy has become a "Status Symbol". To them, they are under the impression (thank you Jerry Springer) that as they bounce from pregnancy to pregnancy, Welfare and other goverment subsistance programs will continue to support them and their brood without them having to lift a finger to help support themselves. Flame away as you like, but I'm of the firm belief that my tax monies would be far better spent going towards education, than supporting the enormous collection of "Breeding Farms" that are currently enrolled in the Welfare system. Perhaps if there were stricter controls and regulations for Welfare, we could move some of these deadbeats along, and show the teens of today that they must gasp...dare I say it...WORK for the things that they want out of life!

Do I believe that Welfare should exist...yes, I do. For what it's ORIGINAL intent was....a place for people to go to for assistance in times of need, until they can pull themselves up by the bootstraps and get back on their feet.

Nothing irritates me more than to stand in a grocery store and listen to two cows in front of me bitch and complain about the Welfare checks in one breath, and then crow like mad that they've "pulled one over" on their case-worker, and are extended on the program indefinately!

Lets take that money, and pour it into QUALITY Sex Education for our youth. However, I agree with Pheonix, it starts AT HOME. I am raising two wonderful little Rogues, and while they are yet young, we are already enforcing an open-door policy in regards to conversations of this nature in our home.

end of rant, flame away!