http://article.wn.com/link/WNAT3418C39C ... dlines.txt

Graphic AIDS book draws parents' ire

By Kevin Rothstein
Tuesday, May 3, 2005 - Updated: 08:00 AM EST

A lesson in AIDS/HIV has a Saugus family seeing red after their second-grader took home an explicit workbook noting that ``semen'' and ``vaginal secretions'' spread the disease.

The Saugus case is the second time in a week parents have complained that schools are giving young kids more than they need to know on sensitive issues. Paul Stamatopoulos came forward after hearing of a Lexington father who was arrested after he complained when his kindergartener brought home a book that dealt with gay marriage.

Stamatopoulos was dumbfounded when his 7-year-old daughter showed him what she called the ``sad book.''

``I took it away from her. I was shocked,'' he said.

Along with information on the history of AIDS and the benefits of hand-washing, the booklet told kids HIV is ``spread by the exchange of infected body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal secretion).''

Stamatopoulos and his wife Diana said they weren't initially opposed to AIDS education. But they said they had no idea the information would be so graphic.

The state Department of Education leaves sex education up to local districts, though a state law requires parental notification when classes are held, a DOE spokeswoman said.

``I was told these are facts. I said `We know, but at that age, there are facts about the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. Do we tell our children those facts?' '' Stamatopoulos said.

Saugus Superintendent Keith R. Manville said the booklet was approved by the School Committee ``a long time ago.'' He plans to meet with Stamatopoulos tomorrow, and said he might recommend altering the book.

``I think some of the examples are a little tough for a 7-year-old,'' Manville said.

Arrested?

Seriously, as big as an advocate I am for honest sexual education, I think we've found a line at the other end. Teaching kindergarteners words like "semen" and "vaginal" goes a smidge too far.

Just goes to show you, even the liberals in Kentucky are retarded.

When I read this article I wondered what age should children be taught about HIV?

What do you think?

There's probably very good information geared for age groups (grade school, middle school, and high school). You should teach a kindergartener something about HIV or AIDS, but probably not the sex part of it.

I'd teach a little child that it is a sad disease that can make someone very sick, even die, but you shouldn't worry if you know someone who has HIV, because you can't catch it from touching them or hugging them. You shouldn't touch other people's blood though, ever.

As sex becomes a reality, the how you CAN catch HIV should be taught. I think I first had sex ed in sixth grade. We probably could have handled it in 4th or 5th.

That's what I think too, once children are educated about sexuality, then they need to hear about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

I don't think there is any easy answer to that question. Some kids are more curious than others. World events affected my class in particular--we were in the 4th grade when we learned about HIV in particular, because of Magic Johnson.

I wouldn't have put such a book to a 7 year old's curriculum--not so much if it's inappropriate, but simply because it's impractical to learn at that time.

The response to the question: when is a child old enough to hear about sex is- when the child in question begins asking about it. That's what we were always taught by our health instructors. I'd think depending on the age, and maturity level a child is at, there are multiple ways of explaining human sexuality without renting a porn video for them to watch. My feelings would hold the same for talking with a child about HIV and AIDS, I don't see much use in a book that discusses vaginal secretions and semen to a 7 year old at any stage of development.
Certainly there's better ways of explaining it to a child that young, same as there's better ways of describing how grandma died of cancer without going into detail about the size and location of the tumor etc.

the guy who was arrested, what are the exact details of his arrest.

somehow i dont think it was:


but far more like

I love how the immaturity and over-sensitivity of adults translates in young people not learning and being hyper ashamed of simple biological terms and functions....

7 years old is a tad bit young for a kid to hear the term semen and vaginal secretion, its not over-sensitivity, its called common sense.

dont you think it would be a tad bit cruel to say to a little kid of age 5 or 6. hahahahaa there really is no santa clause or easter bunny, its your parents. give the kids the chance to be innocent for as long as possible, cause soon enough, things will change for the much more realistic

exactly. you explained that better than I did, peeps.

I agree.

Stuff like that is only 'dirty' and 'bad' if you choose to make it that way.

So the kid thought it was 'sad'. It's important information that made an inpact. At the end of the day - she LEARNED something that was IMPORTANT.
I'd rather my kid be upset by something they learn today - then be harmed because they didn't learn it in time.

Now, you teach 1st grader's right? How many times in a day do you explain what "semen" and "vaginal fluids" are?

Spoken like someone without children.

I know you have children, dozens of them, but it's a brand new feeling when the kid is your own. There is a natural instinct to not let your kid be hurt by ANYTHING, whether it is for their own good, or good in the long run. Sometimes that tendency must be overcome to do what is best for the child, but believe me, a good parent is never cavalier about such things.

excellent post, peepers.

who needs words when you can use pictures?




Love, Pete Townsend.

Ouch.

Remind me to send you the photos I have.


Love, Michael Jackson