"Now here's something you CAN try at home, kids!" :D
I don't understand why I haven't seen this viewpoint before?? Why not? I mean, I think of it as "the ultimate safe sex." You get all the pleasure of sex, without having to deal with the possibilities of pregnancy, heartbreak (unless you have some pretty erm...unusual fantasies...), and even another person's emotions. It's completely self-satisfactory and I'd say pretty convenient.
Now, I'm not suggesting this in place of teaching contraceptives or abstinence as options, but I really don't get why it would be 'inappropriate.' As long as you tell the kids to keep their hands to themselves ( ha ha...sorry, immature humor...), what's the deal?
I know some very conservative people might find it a little disturbing, but I think it would be encouraging a positive attitude towards sex and it would also promote a way for teens to let off steam without actually having sex with another person and thereby creating possibilities of pregnancy, etc.
Thoughts?
I can see where you're coming from, but I think that promoting masturbation in schools would be highly offensive to those who consider masturbation a perversion (such as those who hold to the teachings of the Catholic Church). These people are in the minority in public schools to be sure, but they speak loudly.
Also, I think it would open a few inappropriate doors as it concerns student/teacher interaction. Teacher: "Sexual harassment? No, I was only showing her how it's done, I swear."
You're right, if we're teaching them about safety we might as well teach them the most pleasurable way to be safe. It's all(well, a lot of) the fun of sex and none of the repression of abstinence. All you need is an imagination and a free hand.
And I agree with strinky, the moral authority would get their white panties in a bunch, but screw them.
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Well, it does seem like the most...what's the word I'm looking for? Inventive, maybe... it seems like an inventive way to teach kids. It's a lot safer than having actual sex, and you get most of the things you'd get from the real thing. Plus, it's a natural thing to want an idea of what to expect when having sex; 'solo sex' could give you that idea, and no one would get hurt in any way.
But, it's true, you'd have to be careful of those who are highly conservative, like strinky noted; they could be offended by having their children learn how to masturbate in school.
Everyone has the right to each his/her own opinion; you, on the other hand, have the right to disagree and argue it, but you have no right to disrespect it. Everyone has the right to freedom of speech; you have this right as well. But you haven't the right to disrespect the spoken and written words of another.
I think there is some truth to what you say. I mean, I agree with previous replies, saying that to some religions, masturbation is considered a sin and a perversion, and yes, it would open doors to some inappropriate excuses for teachers that have alternative intentions. But at the same time, I think it should be at least mentioned in sex education classes. When I had to take sex ed in school they never even mentioned it to us in the some four years we had to take it. In fact, most of what I learned about sex was by other means, like discussions with friends, etc. I think if it were mentioned in sex education classes, where they are, essentially, teaching you how to have sex, it would have some potential to keep young kids from having sex.
It's an interesting idea that I think should be examined.
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i understand what youre saying. but maybe telling student to not have sex would be better, instead of just giving them other ideas. i mean if theyre gonna have sex they are going to, rather school says to or not.
Interesting, I wonder what teachers would step to the plate to teach, ha
"I mean whatever gets you off, kid"
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I think sex education classes in public schools should teach what masturbation is, but I don't think they should teach students how to masturbate in any graphic way. If the textbook or whatever kind of teaching materials mentioned what was involved, that's cool, but any sort of videos or non-diagram type pictures kind of starts to cross into this gray area of sexual harassment and indecency that parents have a good case of complaining about.
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Do kids really need instruction on masturbation? I bet just about every kid who reached puberty experimented with it on their own and figured out the basics. I also bet that most kids figure out that they won't get pregant by diddling themselves. I can't speak for girls but most boys can and will figure out everything they need to know about masturbation the first time they get their hands on a Penthouse magazine.
I have nothing against masturbation and kids learning how to do it. But our schools have more important responsibilities like actually providing kids with a basic education. If they were succeeding in this regard, I might favor giving them additional responsibilities but the fact is they are not doing very well and far to many kids come out of highschool without basic skills. Why further distract them?
Maybe schools should focus on reading, writing and arithmetic. Then, if a kid had an interest in pursuing an advanced course in masterbation they could pick up a book and they could actually READ the words that went along with the pictures.
You've brought up a really good point. I guess I was just thinking about the "sexual issues" once again, and I think my post just shows how our society has been mentalized into the idea that school's are responsible for more than just the basic education, such as also responsible for the sexuality of children. And I agree with you, reading etc are much more important issues as of education. I think it's just that if parents/guardians were willing to take responsibility for these things, then schools would be able to focus more on reading, arithmetic, etc. But in today's fast paced society, it's like schools have to take responsibility for pretty much raising people's kids.
The whole masturbation thing is a lot easier for guys because all you need is outside your body and extremely visible. The same thing can't be said for girls.
Common sense is as rare as genius. ~Emerson
Purity Balls: For the Rich, White, Christian, and (Slightly) Perverted
It doesn't take that much trying to figure out how to do it. Especially if you're already aroused.
Rome didn't fall in a day
Masturbation is something that most kids learn on their own anyway. It's sort of disturbing hearing a teacher saying "Go try it at home." That's like promoting them to have sex, no? Well, it depends on our own definition of sex. What sex means to me might be different from you. I agree with you to a certain extent that kids should learn about masturbation. Then again, I'll have to see what you mean by "kids". At what age should they receive sex education?
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"That's like promoting them to have sex, no? " I disagree, because to me, that's like saying that giving them condoms is encouraging them to have sex.
I'm not saying that the teacher should tell them "Go try it at home." (lol that was just me joking!) I think that it should be presented as an option along with abstinence or safe sex or whatever. Not that teachers should be teaching them masturbation techniques, etc lol.
To me, sex means actual foreplay & intercourse. (Two people or more lol) I view masturbation as a biological function like eating, sleeping, vomiting, whatever as it's something a person does individually.
As for kids, I think that sexual education should be taught as young as fifth grade or fourth grade as of in school. If a parent wants to teach their child earlier than that personally, that's their choice.