Anyone else's public school student asked to sign a chastity pledge at school?

[Passions71203]

Personally, I'd be fine with my kids having sex before they got married. And last time I checked, there were tons of other people out there who felt the same.

There are also tons of people that feel that you should save sex for marriage But, we now know that people parent children in different ways.

 

[missypie]

If the school waited a year, I don't think there would be many 13 year old boys who would sign to it.

I guess that's why they get them so early....like I said, most 6th graders don't want to be touched by the opposite sex, so sure they'll sign the thing.....

 

[Passions71203]

If the school waited a year, I don't think there would be many 13 year old boys who would sign to it.

 

[declansdad]

Well, I suppose I hope that most educated teachers would have a line that they wouldn't cross, regardless of what they are "told" to do. I believe ethical teachers would see that there are boundaries of what is appropriate in a public school setting, and that extracting signed pledges from children is not remotely a part of their job description.

If htey don't follow curriculum they wouldn't be teachers for very long.

 

[Passions71203]

If htey don't follow curriculum they wouldn't be teachers for very long.

true, true

 

[smartestnumber5]

They should really teach ************ education. All the pleasure, without the emotional drama, STD's, or babies.

ITA.

Wasn't surgeon general Jocelyn Elders forced to resign after she brought up this issue?

I wonder though if this would even pass for counting as "abstinence"? My guess is no because it seems to me that abstinence-only sex-ed is really more about imposing some people's conservative morals on kids, rather than trying to actually prevent STDs/teen pregnancy.

 

[Kath2003]

There are also tons of people that feel that you should save sex for marriage But, we now know that people parent children in different ways.

Yes, and how is it fair to cater only to the wishes of these parents (and totally ignore the other parents, and the opinions of the teens who make up their own mind that sex before marriage is acceptable that programs such as this will affect)?

Teach your children what you want, but the school has a responsibility to make sure children grow up into well-educated, responsible, informed adults. Sex is a big part of adult life - it's doing these children a disservice to only present one half of the story, and to leave them so vulnerable and uninformed about the "untaught" side of the story.

 

[eclectics]

Doesn't Texas, with its abstinence only approach, have one of the highest teen pregnacy rates in the US?

Not singling out Texas, but I read one of the reasons evangelical Christians have a high divorce rate is that quite a lot of couples married very early because of wanting to keep their pledge of abstinence before marriage. They married to have sex and then later decided they really weren't a good life match. Not judging anything, it's just something I read.

 

[Passions71203]

Yes, and how is it fair to cater only to the wishes of these parents (and totally ignore the other parents, and the opinions of the teens this will affect)?

Teach your children what you want, but the school has a responsibility to make sure children grow up into well-educated, responsible, informed adults. Sex is a big part of adult life - it's doing these children a disservice to only present one half of the story, and to leave them so vulnerable and uninformed about the "untaught" side of the story.

I can't believe I am saying this....It is not fair...But thankfully our school district teaches both.

 

[lilyv]

If htey don't follow curriculum they wouldn't be teachers for very long.

Well, I believe that ethical teachers are willing to be a voice of reason and advocacy for children. In a democracy there is room for reasonable discussion ahead of time, particularly when the issue (coerced group pledges), could certainly precipitate a lawsuit.

 

[Kath2003]

I can't believe I am saying this....It is not fair...But thankfully our school district teaches both.

And that's the sensible option
The sooner the remaining naive districts pull their head out of the same and do what's right by the students that pass through their system, the better....

 

[Passions71203]

Not singling out Texas, but I read one of the reasons evangelical Christians have a high divorce rate is that quite a lot of couples married very early because of wanting to keep their pledge of abstinence before marriage. They married to have sex and then later decided they really weren't a good life match. Not judging anything, it's just something I read.

I am glad that I found a good life match..

 

[Passions71203]

And that's the sensible option
The sooner the remaining naive districts pull their head out of the same and do what's right by the students that pass through their system, the better....

true, I agree!

 

[eclectics]

I am glad that I found a good life match..

You're lucky. Lot's don't.

 

[happygirl]

This is what I find as funny, a few weeks or so ago, there was post about a school somewhere that was giving birth control to I believe it was like 11-12 year olds, I bet you aganist teaching absteince, were aganist this as well, so what is left??

 

[Passions71203]

You're lucky. Lot's don't.

Yeah, I know...it seems like most of my family hasn't...

 

[Passions71203]

This is what I find as funny, a few weeks or so ago, there was post about a school somewhere that was giving birth control to I believe it was like 11-12 year olds, I bet you aganist teaching absteince, were aganist this as well, so what is left??

I do not think the school has the right to give any student the "pill" but I am sure that this comment will get me flamed again..
I think that is between the parent and the Child..

 

[missypie]

Not singling out Texas, but I read one of the reasons evangelical Christians have a high divorce rate is that quite a lot of couples married very early because of wanting to keep their pledge of abstinence before marriage. They married to have sex and then later decided they really weren't a good life match. Not judging anything, it's just something I read.

I think that is very true. I know four terrific young ladies who graduated from college last spring. The two who went to large state universities are now in grad school. The two who went to ultra-conservative Christian colleges were married within a month of graduation.

 

[Crankyshank]

This is what I find as funny, a few weeks or so ago, there was post about a school somewhere that was giving birth control to I believe it was like 11-12 year olds, I bet you aganist teaching absteince, were aganist this as well, so what is left??

A very large middle ground where children are taught that abstinence is the only sure method to prevent pregnancy and disease, but if they chose to engage in sex, here are ways to protect themselves. And with a big encouragement to talk to a trusted parent or family member about birth control.

 

[hentob]

Becuase I don't need my kids to abstain until married..I woud like them to be mature and in a stable relationship, but I don't feel they HAVE to wait until marriage

Agreed!~