A common problem many teachers have with teaching comprehensive sex ed is that they feel that it is not their place to talk to students about what our society considers such a morally controversial topic.  Talking about sex is with adults is awkward for most youth, and so it is logical to conclude that it's likely not easy for adults to talk to youth about sex either.

One possible solution to the awkward problem is being implemented in several classrooms across Texas: computers.  Evidence-based sex ed programs such as the one mentioned in the article below allow students access to the information they need while skipping the teacher as the middle man.  Of course, teachers are available to answer specific questions, but I think most students and teachers would agree that it's much more comfortable to breach the topic with a machine.

http://www.ksat.com/news/23535302/detail.html

I graduated from a high school in Dallas that, when I attended, had absolutely no form of sex education, comprehensive or otherwise.  Now my brothers are attending that same high school and tonight my mom became PTA president.  Traditionally this office is somewhat inconsequential, but fortunately my mom has already begun to use this position of relative power to improve the education of the students at the school.

This school is an inner city public high school with a ridiculous number of teenage pregnancies.  And yet, when they finally added a sex ed program it was completely abstinence only and is taught by uber right wing, Christian fundamentalists.  When teaching my brothers he not only spoke about the religious implications of sex without any regard to scientific fact, but also went so far as to declare homosexuality wrong and immoral.  All of this to a class of fifteen year old students at a PUBLIC school.  In no way should this be acceptable.

Tonight my mom initiated her battle for comprehensive sex ed at my alma mater and I have no doubt that it is a battle she will win.  It may take time and a lot of persistence, but I have faith that eventually reason will conquer ignorance.  In a state like Texas it is often hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when it  comes to sex education, but it is people like my mom who are willing to step up and fight the good fight for one school that will allow the students of Texas access to comprehensive, medically accurate sex ed.

Today's teenage generation definitely has the rep of being sex crazed partiers whose only interest is having a good time.  Long gone are the "good old days" of purity.  Or at least that is what many seem to think.  Contrary to this belief, however, are the findings from recent studies examining teenage pregnancy rates (among other things) in several countries world wide.  Though some showed more improvement than others, the trend is clear: teen pregnancy rates are decreasing.

In Canada, teenage pregnancy is down 36% from ten years ago.  The teenage pregnancy rates in the United States (though still considerably higher than most other countries) have also dropped about 25% within the decade.  

Now the question is what is causing this decline, and what can we do to continue this trend of improvement?

http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/05/27/despite-stereotype-of-of-over-sexed-youth-teen-pregnancy-down-36

Debate over the controversial "Don't ask, don't tell" policy continues to rage and some of the arguments in support of maintaining the policy have gotten even more ridiculous.  In a recent interview, Republican Senator Jim Inhofe made some broad and completely unfounded comments concerning what he feels will be the effect of "Don't ask, don't tell" being repealed.  

One can only hope that the opinions of glaringly homophobic right wingers, including a suggestion that gay people form a third gender, won't be taken seriously by those in the position to repeal the highly discriminatory policy.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/14/james-inhofe-soldiers-not_n_576390.html

    November 4, 2008 was one of the most exciting and inspiring nights of my life. Seeing Barack Obama elected President of the United States has shown me more than anything else I've witnessed in my lifetime that America is willing to take a real, solid step forward. I could not be happier or more honored to live in a time when our President is elected on the basis of his beliefs, ideals, integrity, and bravery.

     Unfortunately, however, it seems that many people are blind to Barack Obama's character and strength. It appears that even now, more than fifty years after the civil rights movement and more than one hundred years after the end of slavery in America, many Americans are still not willing to let go of hatred and racism. It seems that many people I have called friends cannot or will not look past the color of Barack Obama's skin to see the incredible person he is and the incredible President he will become. On this history making night, I have seen more racism and blind hatred than I have witnessed in my entire life. I have spoken to people who seem to honestly want our new President assassinated and that horrifies me. I cannot understand how race is still an issue. Maybe I'm naive, but I will not accept that idea that people my age honestly believe that the color of a person's skin affects their character, intelligence, or capability to run this country. 

    Now is a time unlike any other. It is a time to move forward with hope and make certain that history does not repeat itself. It is a time to grow and a time to spread freedom and equality. It is a time to celebrate differences and move past judgement and hypocrisy. It is a time to embrace change and let go of old prejudices that our nation has at last clearly and firmly rejected.