Let's Talk About Sex...in Our Schools

I'm about to age myself. Yikes! But, here goes...

I went to high school in the early/mid 1990's. So, back in MY day, our high school curriculum included one semester of Health Education in our 10th grade year. I'm not sure if this is how it stands today. But, my Health Ed. class was laughable at best. There was a short section on sex education. It made all the boys and girls giggle when we had talked about reproductive organs. Worst part of it was that the COACH, who most likely was required to teach the class, could not have been more uncomfortable talking about it. However, I at least feel fortunate that sex education was included at the time. Though vague as it was, we all left the class slightly more informed about our own bodies. This is definitely not how it stands today. S-C-A-R-Y!!

Now, kids do not get an all-inclusive sex education. Texas lawmakers encourage an abstinence-only based curriculum. In fact, by 2009, 94% of Texas public schools were using this form of sex ed. They are being taught nothing more than if they don't have sex, they won't get pregnant. I don't disagree that abstinence is the only sure-fire way to prevent teen pregnancy. But, let's face the truth here. Teenagers are going to have sex. Since this form of sex education has been in place, the statistics aren't improving. The unfortunate teenagers are so uninformed now, we wonder why the teen pregnancy rate in Texas is amongst the highest in the nation. We are currently number 5.

Since teens are going to have sex, why not educate them in the process instead of sweeping it under the rug? In addition, why not teach kids the truth as well? Everyone needs to know the basics of human anatomy. Everyone needs to know how to protect themselves. Kids are not being taught accurate information and are being scared into abstaining or not protecting themselves. Some are being taught that condoms do not prevent HIV  and HPV transmission. In turn, these teens that are having sex end up not using condoms.

Abstinence-only sex education means money. For school districts, it means more funding for including this into the curriculum. In the bigger picture, however, this means more money being spent. That's more money being spent on, for example, health care for the new babies as well as for teens who may be spreading sexually transmitted diseases. A little bit of knowledge could have gone a long way in saving money for many families.

This shouldn't not be an issue about politics, but for some reason it is. So, to those on the right, all-inclusive sex education isn't about Planned Parenthood's pro-abortion propaganda. It's about the health and education of the future of this state. They need the right information. Lawmakers and politicians should not be the ones to make the decision as to what is right and proper to teach. Education should be fact based with no political agenda.

Occupy Austin, y'all!

So, for this round, I decided to take a look at how the other half lives. That is, I took a look around at some of the more conservative, right-leaning blogs around the state. There's very interesting stuff out there (both on the left and the right). Unsurprisingly, I disagreed with much and that's alright by me. I didn't expect to agree and appreciate the other side's opinions. But, I found this little lovely on UrbanGrounds.com and found myself feeling a bit perturbed.

The article pretty much lambastes the Occupy Austin movement's activists as "slackers, professional protesters, and brainwashed Liberal college kids." They amount to nothing more than whiners who are "coveting that which [they] did not earn nor deserve." A picture of a young man is featured in this piece. He is tattooed, lip-pierced and bearded while holding a sign asking to be able to work for an education. The writer finds him "mockable" and "unemployable" based only on his appearance. So much for individualism...

I cannot disagree with this article more. The young man in the picture should be respected. Political activism is always a good thing. Being motivated to attempt change in government, whether big or small, is always a good thing. Even if stand on the other side of the line than me, it's a good thing to get politically active. He and his community of "slackers" are out there doing something. I find the author's write-off of this movement based on surface judgements offensive, even deplorable. It would be wise to know what the movement is about before being so quick to judge. The participants are not looking for freebies and hand-outs. Ending corporate corruption, environmental protection, equality, fair work practices are some of the goals of the movement. Now that doesn't sound too bad to me.

Occupy Wall Street was the starter of the movement and has prompted many across the globe to join in. I had the good fortune to be in New York City last weekend. I was able to see the gathering in Zuccotti Park first hand. What I saw was a large group of every race, age, gender and social class gathered together in a non-disruptive, peaceful fashion. It was inspiring to see so many gathered together trying to make a change in the government. There's was definite solidarity within this community. It's awesome to see it happening at our own City Hall. I hope to see this affect politicians on every level of government to listen to what the 99% out there have to say.