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Sex education in Minnesota schools

Posted at 2:39 PM on April 29, 2008 by Bob Collins (8 Comments)

(Subject/language warning)

The Minnesota House, you may have heard in Tim Pugmire's story this morning, has approved a bill establishing a sex education requirement for Minnesota schools. Some people, however, don't care for a one-size-fits-all approach to the subject.

Which brings us to condoms, specifically Rep. Sondra Erickson's reading from "a sex education curriculum:"

"Barriers and methods for preventions. Is the condom going to be used for anal sex, vaginal sex or oral sex? Parents, I hope you're listening. That's what can be in these curricula that parents may choose, some parents choose that you don't want. Your children need to be excused. Under safer choices explicitly how to put a condom on. What's that about for 7th through 12th graders.

Well, yes, that's what can be in "these curricula," but is that what's in this curriculum? No. It hasn't been written yet. Here's the requirement as specified in the bill:

Curriculum requirements. (a) Consistent with its curriculum review cycle under section 120B.11, or no later than the start of the 2011-2012 school year, whichever comes first, a school district must offer and may independently establish policies, procedures, curriculum, and services for providing responsible family life and sexuality education that is age-appropriate and medically accurate for grades 7 through 12.

So what was Erickson citing? It appears to be the curriculum of the Birds and Bees Project (see it here - pdf), a Minnesota-based group that claims to be presenting it to 8,000 students and adults in "area high schools, alternative learning centers, correctional facilities, churches, synagogues and adult-education programs."

Which ones in particular? They haven't yet told MPR's Tim Nelson, who's working the story today.

Here's an "exercise" that's aimed to 15-18 year olds:

For questions 4-5 have the teens focus only on the lists for Vaginal Sex, Anal Sex and Oral Sex.

4. Let's say you are trying to communicate your feelings, desires and boundaries with your sexual partner. If all the above words listed are synonyms for sex, how would your sexual partner understand what specifically you meant if you said "do you want to have sex?" Could the same problems occur that we listed earlier when we talked about styles of communication? What additional problems might we add to the list? How can you be sure that your sexual partner is consenting to the same sexual experience as you if the words you use are vague or if you are using different communication styles?

Well, OK, that's... uncomfortable, and I know it is based on the number of folks who've reacted to hearing Erickson's comments on the radio this morning while their kids were in the car.

Where it's likely to get testy, if this curriculum should actually be adopted in schools statewide, are sections such as this:

This activity illustrates the fact that whether or not abortion is legal, there is a need for the procedure. Making abortion legal makes it safe for the women who access these services. 1. Write "1973" on the board. 2. Explain that 1973 was the year when abortion became legal in the U.S., but that women had abortions before then. 3. Ask students to think of reasons why a woman would have an illegal abortion and write all of their responses in a column to the left of "1973". 4. Next, have students think about why women have abortions today, and list all of their responses in a column to the right of "1973".

Over to you, governor.

Comments (8)

"Where it's likely to get testy"- no pun intended. Nice.

We are talking about educating teens about sex, not boring them to death with a disseration on the history of sex. It shouldn't be that difficult to come up with a teen-oriented education plan that covers all aspects INCLUDING absensence, safe-sex, and the distribution of condoms. Leave politics out of this please and just inform the kids. Knowledge is power.

Posted by Dan | April 29, 2008 3:01 PM

I don't have children yet (obviously), but things like this are one of the things I don't look forward to as a parent. Sex education is horribly controversial no matter how you define it, and I don't see things getting any clearer in the years to come.

I had health class in 5th, 7th, and 10th grades. 5th grade had the first 'puberty' unit, 7th dealt with all the big hormonal adolescent stuff, and 10th grade went over all the STDs and birth control methods.

Posted by Mac Wilson | April 29, 2008 4:33 PM

When my youngest son was about 7, I think I had "the talk" with him (age specific, of course). After I was done -- and I was pretty nervous about it -- I thought, "man, you've got this whole parenthood thing down; you are good. real good."

The next day my wife calls me at work and says, "your son is shooting Nerf arrows at the crotch of the little girl next door."

That's when I decided to just "let it ride" with son #2, and leave a well-placed book around.

Both are in there '20s now and so far I'm not a grandfather. So far. So good, and -- I admit -- so lucky. I'm an old person now and just reading this curriculum in the privacy of my cubicle makes me blush. I'm glad I'm not a kid today.

Posted by Bob Collins | April 29, 2008 4:37 PM

I was lucky enough to grow up in a school district that did teach its students about sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy as early as 6th grade. And, finally, when I was a junior in high school - around the time the characters in Grease were having sex - I was given the concrete facts about contraception - which ones work and which ones don't. I can't imagine it a good idea to neglect to tell high school students this information.

According to Tom Pritchard, of the MN Family Council, Comprehensive Sex-Ed sends kids a "mixed message." Where's the confusion in "Be Responsible?"

Posted by Jacob | April 29, 2008 4:55 PM

Criminey. We need sex education for parents! Society-wise, we have a really hard time talking about sex--as adults, to adults--with or without sexual interest.

One would think with how much sex is shown online, on TV, in the movies, etc that we would be over this...embarassing urge we have for the opposite sex!

Posted by Terry31415 | April 29, 2008 10:13 PM

I'm just baffled by the move toward abstinence only sex ed in recent years. Sure, it's the parents' job to tell their kids about this stuff, but kids can't hear these messages too much.

What I want to know, however, it why, as a society, we have such a stick up our collective arses when it comes to sex. I mean, sure, the country was founded by Quakers and Puritans, but how can the home of progressive economic policy be so damn backwards from a social standpoint?

Posted by Rich Goldsmith | April 30, 2008 10:16 AM

OutFront Minnesota is part of the Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed, the group that is advocating for this legislation and we are very pleased it has passed the House and the Senate.

Minnesota's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth need to see themselves in the curriculum, including sex education curriculum. An exclusive "abstinence until marriage" message excludes those people for whom marriage is not an option, and presumes heterosexuality, rendering GLBT youth invisible.

Minnesota's young people deserve comprehensive, accurate information so they can make the best choices for themselves now and in the future.

In addition, kudos to State Representative Neva Walker and State Representative Karen Clark who stood up to the anti-gay rhetoric of Representative Dan Severson on the House floor during debate on this bill.

Posted by Jo Marsicano, Communications Director, OutFront Minnesota | April 30, 2008 4:53 PM

This is not about being "invisible", it's about infection. Let's cease with the ideology and stick with sound medical research.

Homosexual sex, (anal and rimming) is unhealthy - with or without a dental dam.

Refusing to inform our children with these facts is neither comprhensive nor accurate.

We aren't going to solve the problem of infection and pregnancy with more creams, condoms, pills vaccines and abortions.

Unhealthy behavior begets unhealthy consequences.

Posted by Chuck | May 1, 2008 2:18 PM

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