Sex education seems like it is always a difficult topic for Americans to talk about. Whether it is a simple as the “sex talk” between parents and children, course offered in secondary schools and even in college, it is usually pushed under the rug to be dealt with at another time. Recently, President Obama changed to protocol of former President Bush and lifted the “abstinence only” ban from sex education in secondary schools. In post-secondary schools such as Northwest, sex education courses are offered on campus. Mr. Matthew Johnson teaches Human Sexuality, a class that goes in depth about sex education, including knowledge of both male and female reproductive organs, pregnancy and all other elements included with sex.
In college, the course is very open. Most college students are between 18 and 24 years of age and have been seasoned with the sex talk in one way or another. While in class, Mr. Johnson has no concrete boundaries concerning the direction of the conversation. He believes that at our ages, we should be mature enough to discuss sex. In each Human Sexuality class, he makes the students chant “penis and vagina,” hoping to familiarize them with the terms and make it even easier to discuss sex. Classes are less explicit, however, if one of his children are present. His daughter attended class with him and he says he noticeably changed his vocabulary. His daughter is 3-years-old. Children, toddlers especially, repeat everything they hear even if they have no idea what it means. He says it would be disturbing to find his 3-year-old chanting “penis and vagina,” knowing that she had no idea what she was saying. There is an obvious line that has to be crossed when discussing sex with different age groups.
Class discussions are far more informal than PowerPoint presentations. PowerPoints are informative and present the facts. Class discussions show the variety of opinions on certain facts.
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