The provincial government of Ontario and Premier Dalton Mcguinty were to introduce a new curriculum for Sexual Education. The new proposed curriculum was to introduce the subject starting in grade 3. Currently, introduction to the topic begins in grade 4.

I remember the day I first heard the word puberty and did not know what it meant. It was grade 4 and the last week of school, when different reproductive organs of the body were introduced. We spent one hour on it in total.  One hour in grade four was our introduction to the touchy topic of sex.

Children are curious and immature. Most do not know what to make of the information they are being provided. Introduction to the topic at such an early age spells disaster especially when it’s one class right before the break. Many people have different religious and cultural beliefs about sex. Many times, things are taught in these classes that go against the religious belief of many parents. I’m not 'anti-providing' sexual information in schools. But, I do believe it is too early, even in grade four, and I do believe that what is considered as acceptable sexual behaviour should be left to the student and their parents.

The looming provincial elections saved the curriculum from being implemented this time. But, one thing is for sure, the topic has been brought up and as soon as the elections are over we will be back here talking about the same issue.

Here is what was proposed in the new curriculum:

“It included discussion about relationships and respecting differences — where same-sex couples may be discussed — in Grade 3.

Grade 6 covers the emotional and physical changes of adolescence, and teacher discussion points include talking about how wet dreams are natural, and masturbation is something people “find pleasurable.”

In Grade 7, students learn about delaying sexual activity, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and how to prevent them, including abstinence. That could spark discussion about oral sex or anal intercourse and how they too can be risky.”

It’s ironic that everything about sex is introduced first and four years down the road abstinence and the harms of sex is taught in grade 7.

 

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Comments

Zainab link
04/24/2010 9:59pm

interesting.
I feel that abstinence only education is stupid tho- we live in Canada and like it or not, teens are going to have sex. Promoting safe sex isn't advocating having underage sex, its preparing the kids....and lessening teen pregnancy rates too!
However, this is ridiculous. Third graders don't need to know about sex. I learnt about puberty in grade 5 which is fine, and sex in grade 7.

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anas
04/29/2010 2:22pm

I do believe abstinence should be taught. No protection is 100%.

Reply
Meagan
08/22/2010 11:35pm

You must remember that it's a lot different for kids in elementary school now than it was when you were in the fourth grade. If kids now hear the word "puberty", they'll Google it and who knows what kind of offensive nonsense information they'll find (especially if they misspell it). It's a sad fact but we have to introduce things at a younger age simply because kids are able to access any information they want, without any guidance as to what they're seeing.

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