When I worked at the health department, part of my job was to teach the sex
education curriculum to the 5th grade girls.  The state adopted the video and
curriculum (absinence based only) that was to be used. There were no deviation
from the adopted curriculum. Parents were sent letters and if they objected,
their child was sent to the library while their classmates went to the sex ed
class. The class was divided by sex: boys who were taught by a male
administrator and girls taught by me. I could answer questions as long as the questions
were within the appropriate grade level topics set by the curriculum. I could
not offer any additional information.
Approximately 75% of the 5th grade girls had already started their periods
and were far ahead of the puberty information I was teaching. I had the girls
write down their questions and then could read them and decide if I could or not
answer it. The majority of questions were along the lines of " Am I normal"
dealing with breast size, and sexual development. I had several times questions
asked about using birth control and occasionally the question of sexual
satisfaction. The girls were way ahead of the curriculum and I was very frustrated
but could not change anything being taught.
Sex education curriculum is available for each parent to check out and read.
Whenever new curriculums are being offered, committees are formed to decide on
what is appropriate for the community. I encourage all parents, and
interested community members to get involved in this decision. I also encourage health
care professionals to offer educational programs for parents.

Barbara Whitehead, BS, IBCLC, RLC
Eastern NC

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