schleppenheimer wrote:
Most of it is handled just fine, but my son is very modest and I'm wondering if he will be embarrassed by it all.
loubee wrote:
My step son learns sex ed in school this year and I'm a little nervous. We know he's curious (he was caught looking up sex on the internet) but he is 11 and still enjoys shows and activities that his 5 year old sister deems "too babyish".
Am in no position to give advice, can only share what that time was like for me (adult female dx'd only recently). Sex ed. class was in junior high, 7th or 8th grade (this was back in the 80's), so I was 12 or 13. Had already learned about the facts from science books & occasional glimpses at "naughty" materials. Was very curious & interested in learning about (NOT doing !) sex but it was also way too much for me to handle (emotionally & on sensory level) even contemplating. At that stage, I was in rebellion against the opposite sex, romantic notions of dating, and all that "normal" coupling. Made me an easy target for teasing, though I only see that in retrospect-didn't understand why at the time.
Sex ed. class made me so embarrassed, it was bad enough hearing about gross stuff, but in front of other people (esp. snickering classmates) was much worse. I considered asking my mother to write me an excuse note to get out of it, but I felt I'd draw negative attention (from peers) by doing so. Also, didn't want to think there might've been something in the class that I DID actually want to hear (and I'd missed out on it), whether educational or interpersonal in nature.
So, explaining what sort of behavior & comments (from other students) are likely to be encountered in the class might be worth telling beforehand, in deciding if it's "worth" enduring/experiencing in that manner. I was less uncomfortable if able to read about "it" privately, or ask questions of a "safe" older/adult friend or relative-someone who would NOT jump to conclusion that my interest in knowledge meant I was going to DO something.
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*"I don't know what it is, but I know what it isn't."*