Comments on: Sex ed for teens more effective via texting?

By: Alcuin

Alcuin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:27:39 +0000

I think that it’s a pretty great idea. Lots of people would rather ask someone else about things like that than a family member. There’s just aways an awkward tension in the air whenever child & parent try to talk about things like sex, as well as other personal matters. It comes from both parties, however typing to a PC screen or phone, well let’s just say it’s a lot easier to say things.

By: Nadia

Nadia — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:26:50 +0000

I think a lot of people are missing the point of this service. It is not a parent replacement. A lot of parents and their children discuss sex. However, that does not mean a child is going to be comfortable asking their parents everything about sex. I would hope most parents would offer basic information about how sex works, how you get pregnant, STD info, their thoughts on the moral side of it, etc. A parent may not want to have a discussion with their own teenager and vice versa about what feels good, orgasms, whether they should let their boyfriend try something “different”, oral sex, etc.

By: sd

sd — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:27:42 +0000

When I was in the 3rd grade a kid at school told me how girls get pregnant. He told me that you were supposed to sneak up behind a girl who was camping and stick it in her behind. Apparently, the camping part was key.

So, the point is, it would have been nice to have had someone to ask about that.

By: Joel in ATL

Joel in ATL — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:45:23 +0000

If PARENTS YES PARENTS would take five seconds and not worry about themselves and spend time with their teenager and discuss sex in the privacy of th efamily home as a family I’m quite sure they wouldn’t need to text an expert. Yet the parents of teens today are the ones that always said they “would be different” from their parents so that means letting their teen do whatever they want. Shame in talking about sex with yourparents is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard. You’ll talk about it freely in music and on TV but no live and in person in the family home and we wonder why so many teens are pregrant. I challenge PARENTS and YES I am one and I discuss sex and the pitfalls of sex with my 9 year old step son at least once a week. When my son is 8 I will begin talking to him but I think 3 is a little too young. If you as a parent can’t approach your child why do you expect them to approach you? It’s all on the parents period point blank, not a service or even sex ed at school, so much that starts at home is lost now and I hate to say it, that’s they REAL ISSUE.

By: Nadia

Nadia — Wed, 06 May 2009 00:07:53 +0000

I think this service is great. The reality is that teens are having sex. No matter how close you think you are to your children, I am sure there are many questions that they are not comfortable asking you. Seriously, would it not be freaky for your kid to ask you, “Should I spit or swallow?”

Yes, it is our job to teach them good morals and everything, but if my child were using that service, I would not want anyone preaching to them. That is my job. A service like this is great, I think, for fact giving or referrals to places where they can get the facts.

I hope my children (they are too young now) are comfortable enough to talk to me about a lot of things, but I also have to be realistic. They can get plenty of info on the internet (if they are teens, there is no way you can monitor their computer usage outside of your house), so why not a texting service? I would rather they get correct information, whether from me or a service.

By: JJ

JJ — Tue, 05 May 2009 19:00:52 +0000

The lines of communication are open in my house. If my daughter doesn’t feel comfortable talking to me, she has a very good friend of mine too she can talk to.

A lot of parents aren’t comfortable talking to their kids about sex. I’ve never held anything back and have been very open and honest with my child.

As a matter of fact, we are getting her on birth control this summer, since she is headed to college in the fall. I told her no way was she going off to college without it. I don’t want any babies for another 10 years!!!!! Then I’ll be ready to be a gramma……

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:44:35 +0000

Photius, showing graphic pictures of ACTIVE and ADVANCED STD’s does not really work. I tried that. Many of the kids today still have the mentality of “it won’t happen to me.”

By: Joyce

Joyce — Tue, 05 May 2009 16:42:52 +0000

That article is really sobering. I was struck by how many kids don’t feel they have any adult to turn to in their daily lives to talk about this stuff. It made me sad for them.

As far as the qeustion at hand, I think this would be a great way for kids to get info in a non-threatening way. Maybe churches and other religious groups could get on the bandwagon as well and provide their insights along with accurate information.

By: Photius

Photius — Tue, 05 May 2009 16:32:19 +0000

Send them pics of STD’s in full bloom….

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:34:48 +0000

Well, if they’re going to get this advice via texting, I’d rather it be a trained professional at the other end. (Though I don’t think said trained professional should be a government employee of any form, but that is another discussion altogether.)

Like both JG and LM’s ideas as well. If I can be of any assistance, feel free to hit me up on Twitter: @swgalibertarian