Sex education for teenagers

[facthailand]

First of all, I think men have an equal family responsibility to discuss sex with young people at risk. I am our daughter's principal sex counselor and am planning to get her an IUD.

<I was thinking of purchasing some Postinor/Madonna tablets and making her aware that I have these at hand, if (and only if) some 'emergency' should arise.>

Posters may have noticed that online Thai pharmacies are blocked by govt. Reason? They sell 'morning after pills'. As these induce abortion, they are illegal in Thailand.

In some places, they are prescription only. They may be ordered by post or bought while abroad.

You must emphasise that these must be taken EVERY time a girl has unprotected sex. Teenagers don't have fully-formed brains yet (though the other parts work well) so you'll have to repeat this often, probably weekly.

[h90]

First of all, I think men have an equal family responsibility to discuss sex with young people at risk. I am our daughter's principal sex counselor and am planning to get her an IUD.

<I was thinking of purchasing some Postinor/Madonna tablets and making her aware that I have these at hand, if (and only if) some 'emergency' should arise.>

Posters may have noticed that online Thai pharmacies are blocked by govt. Reason? They sell 'morning after pills'. As these induce abortion, they are illegal in Thailand.

In some places, they are prescription only. They may be ordered by post or bought while abroad.

You must emphasise that these must be taken EVERY time a girl has unprotected sex. Teenagers don't have fully-formed brains yet (though the other parts work well) so you'll have to repeat this often, probably weekly.

I think the risk of pregnancy is the smallest problem. The problem can be either fixed or rising a baby with the help of the parents is also no drama.

But HIV is and only the condom helps (or following Prayuts recommendations and visit the temple ).

So the focus should be on that.

For drug prevention they let some former drug user speak in our class without teacher. He really scared us with his photos and stories.

Maybe inviting some AIDS patience and letting them explain how 5 min unprotected fun destroyed their life?? (Just an idea)

[Issangeorge]

This graphic came up in my FB news feed a few days ago and I reposted it as a joke, saying something like "next week's lesson: how to use a condom - get ready seniors!"

sex ed.jpg

I was unprepared for the flood of private messages coming from students, many of who weren't even in my program, all excited that they were finally going to learn something about sex ed. I had to break it to them that it was just a joke, and they were clearly disappointed. Many of them told me that they get some very basic anatomy classes with simple line drawings (absolutely no realistic images), but no real education about the mechanisms, physiology, pathology or life consequences of sex or reproduction. I feel so sad for them.

Interesting map, perhaps off topic, but it is interesting that most of the states that have no sex education are Red States and pro life, perhaps if they had sex education in the schools the abortions would drop.

[duanebigsby]

It's the job of parents, not teachers, to tell their kids the facts of life and ensure they are able to protect themselves from the consequences of ignorance. Otherwise, don't have kids because you don't deserve them.

Oh, and the same goes for just about everything else in life which is more important than the three R's. Which is nearly everything you can think of. And a lot you probably can't.

The world would be a much better place if we all stopped relying on the nanny state to bail us out of our responsibilities?.

You rely on parents and half the students won't hear anything. Schools PLUS parents is what is needed.

It's also always too late to tell someone to "not have kids."

[Sheryl]

First of all, I think men have an equal family responsibility to discuss sex with young people at risk. I am our daughter's principal sex counselor and am planning to get her an IUD.

<I was thinking of purchasing some Postinor/Madonna tablets and making her aware that I have these at hand, if (and only if) some 'emergency' should arise.>

Posters may have noticed that online Thai pharmacies are blocked by govt. Reason? They sell 'morning after pills'. As these induce abortion, they are illegal in Thailand.

In some places, they are prescription only. They may be ordered by post or bought while abroad.

You must emphasise that these must be taken EVERY time a girl has unprotected sex. Teenagers don't have fully-formed brains yet (though the other parts work well) so you'll have to repeat this often, probably weekly.

"Morning after" pills (Madonna, Postinor, Plan B etc) do not induce abortions. There are medications which do, but those are entirely different drugs (and no approved for use in Thailand).

"Morning after" pills prevent pregnancy and to do so must be taken as soon as possible, and certainly not longer than 72 hours after exposure. Effectiveness steadily decreases with time so at 72 hours, much less effective than if taken after 48 which in turn is less effective than if taken within the first 24 hours. They are not safe to take on a regular basis (massive dose of hormones) though they can indeed be a godsend in a pinch.

You may have some difficulty getting a doctor to insert an IUD on a young woman who has never had a child, and the insertion procedure in such circumstances is more difficult. If she tends to get menstrual cramps, as many young girls do, IUD will make that worse, and it will also increase the amount of menstrual flow a bit. In addition -- and this is an important consideration -- IUDs increase the danger of serious pelvic infection should she contact an STD. For all these reasons, not really the best method for a young unmarried woman. If a long term method which does not require remembering or doing any thing is desired, implants are usually a better bet at that age. It's a good idea with those to try a few cycles of the injectable contraceptive first to make sure she tolerates it without any major problems (same drug).

You really want her to insist on condoms, even if she also uses an additional method of birth control, in order to protect against STDs, HIV etc.

[Aforek]

They all know about sex- but not about prevention of babies and disease.

8 hours sex education a year in school is more than adequate. 10 minutes would do the job if the kids were interested.

I know some girls about 15 years old who look at porn films with their smartphone, they think very much of having a boyfriend, but what scares me is that Thai men don't like to use condoms : so many girls aged 15 years who are pregnant

[cyberfarang]

I think for legal age teens, the hands on approach is best.

[h90]

I think for legal age teens, the hands on approach is best.

I think when they are legal age they have plenty experience already.......So I am sorry to tell you service as teacher won't be needed.

[simon43]

I think for legal age teens, the hands on approach is best.

This niece is 15 years old, so not a good idea. She is already having unprotected sex with her BF, thinks that the pregnancy and STD risk is zilch...

Common sense is not ..er .. common in her family.

[Water Buffalo]

There is good reason to believe that sex education only makes the problem worse. Sometimes teenage pregnancy rises after sex education.

[h90]

I think for legal age teens, the hands on approach is best.

This niece is 15 years old, so not a good idea. She is already having unprotected sex with her BF, thinks that the pregnancy and STD risk is zilch...

Common sense is not ..er .. common in her family.

Ask her where the many people come from when the risk of pregnancy is so low.......they come to a good share from people who thought the risk of pregnancy is low....

[attrayant]

There is good reason to believe that sex education only makes the problem worse. Sometimes teenage pregnancy rises after sex education.

No it doesn't.

[mgjackson69]

There is good reason to believe that sex education only makes the problem worse. Sometimes teenage pregnancy rises after sex education.

Some facts/stats to back up this "good reason"?

Since when is ignorance the better way to go?