Schoolkids to Be Asked to Consider Oral Sex

[EricStratton]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=573&ncid=757&e=1&u=/nm/20030221/od_nm/health_sex_dc

Schoolkids to Be Asked to Consider Oral Sex


By Matthew Jones
LONDON (Reuters) - British school children are to be controversially asked to consider oral sex instead of intercourse as part of a drive to cut the country's high teenage pregnancy rate.

Sex education teachers are being trained to discuss with youngsters various "stopping points" on the road to full sex in a bid to reduce the number of teen pregnancies, the government said on Friday.
The idea is to encourage pupils to discover "levels of intimacy," including oral sex, which stop short of full sexual intercourse.
But the plan has been criticized as unworkable by family groups.
"The courses for teachers are to enable them to discuss various sex and relationship issues with pupils. One of those issues is oral sex," said a Department of Health spokeswoman.
"Oral sex is one of the 'stopping points' on the road to intercourse," she said, denying the advice was encouraging sexual activity.
"Another 'stopping point' is to hold hands," she added.
Family groups argue that oral sex is likely to lead to penetrative sex.


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[NoCtUrNaL]

Kids nowadays have got it so much better....when I was growing up we were discouraged from masturbating...and now this.

[BILLSareBACK]

Kids used to get suspended for this http://www.ehowa.com/pic/gotbusted.jpg

[Halbert]

Do the girls still get to wear white at their wedding?

[FrankieA]

(Hand up) Uhh teacher, will there be a pop quiz?

[fweber73]

Can the students request demonstartions from their teachers on proper technique?

[Halbert]

I'm available for tutoring.

I'm all about giving back to the community.

[BogusTrumper]

This is what I've always thought they should do. I always wanted a little more guidance.

[YardRat]

I'm sure the churches will have an opinion on this before it's all said and done.

[reeves84]

Originally posted by BogusTrumper
This is what I've always thought they should do. I always wanted a little more guidance.

I am not quite sure how to interpret that statement!

[BogusTrumper]

They tell you not to have sex. But what is sex?

[reeves84]

Originally posted by BogusTrumper
But what is sex?

That is an extremely complicated question that I cannot answer in a few words. However, if you ever have a long weekend free, I am willing to try and explain

[YardRat]

This thread has a definite "Clinton-esque" twist to it all of a sudden.

[Joe Friday]

What about other acceptable form of sex that do not lead to pregnacy?

[D-Rocafella]

here's a crazy idea, how about they teach these kids about protection.

[Halbert]

Originally posted by BogusTrumper
This is what I've always thought they should do. I always wanted a little more guidance.
There are some cultures where professional sex teachers instruct young men and women how to have and enjoy good sex. It is considered a rite of passage and represents when a child turns into an adult. In some of these cultures the teacher actually has sex with the student, ensuring that virginity passes in a pleasurable, dignified, and healthy manner.

Sound crazy? Care to guess the pregnency/STD/rape statistics of those cultures (extremely low)? Care to guess how it compares to those stats in American culture (extremely high)?

Don't ask me how to get an application. Tried it, turned down. Overqualified, I guess. lol.

[BogusTrumper]

I don't think most people need instruction on how to have good sex. But kids need to know how far is it okay to go. I understand that this program's goal is to lessen one physical consequence of intercourse but I guess to me that's not the only issue. It's not the physical part of sex that's the problem. It's the intimacy. And all the programs I've ever seen pretty much advocated celibacy which, to me, is unrealistic.

I still remember one that likened the whole thing to a ladder (kinda like "stepping stones"). Their point was that once you go on the the next step it is almost impossible to go back down and that people end up only go up the ladder which is an important thing for a young person to realize. But the focus was on not getting on the ladder to begin with. They taught us a mnemonic which I still remember but just because it was a joke with us for months afterwards. It went: don't unbutton, don't zip up, don't zip down, and keep your tongue in your own mouth. Sounds like holding hands to me. Yeah right.

[Halbert]

Originally posted by BogusTrumper
I don't think most people need instruction on how to have good sex.
Sorry, I really shouldn’t have used the word “good”, it wasn’t the point. Freudian slip, I guess. I wasn’t clear that when they perform the “ritual”, at whatever level is appropriate in that culture, it represents part of a transcendence on a higher level. You’ve heard of Tantric Sex, which is based on trantra, which in general is meditative practices combined with sexuality. There are other variations and degrees, the objective being sex as a vehicle for spiritual liberation, whether explicit or implied. If for nothing else I find it amazing how opposite that mindset is from our culture.

It's not the physical part of sex that's the problem. It's the intimacy.
I think I agree. How are you defining intimacy in this case?

And all the programs I've ever seen pretty much advocated celibacy which, to me, is unrealistic.
Unrealistic for some, but very doable for others. My extended periods of celibacy weren’t usually intentional, I must admit, so it would have been unrealistic for me but for some people it’s fine. It sure simplifies things for those who are comfortable with it. But to think that’s the only “proper” choice for all is grossly naïve, at least to some of us.

One problem is when the culture has very mixed messages, planting strong seeds of guilt for those who don’t reach that “standard”. Guilt with the intention to simplify is an oxymoron. Guilt is, at most, the last level of rationale for why to do/not do something.

Another big problem is when sexual intimacy is used to fill a wound or a void. Then it can become an empty substitute for healthy intimacy. Or it can become exploitive, which when you think about it is always harmful for both partners. I’ve done both and it almost all those cases it’s going to be more harmful than it’s worth.

So I think you’re saying pick your points deliberately and as wisely as possible. Be aware of the choices and their challenges. Which is really the whole key.

I still remember one that likened the whole thing to a ladder (kinda like "stepping stones"). Their point was that once you go on the the next step it is almost impossible to go back down and that people end up only go up the ladder …

Is it just me or does that actually make it more appealing?