Letter to the Editor: Sex Education Requires Different Materials for Preteen, Young Teen, Older Teen; Must ‘Get There’ via Practical, Civil Discussions

To the Editor:

Recently, a letter and petition has been circulating regarding the removal of several library holdings in the young adult section on sexual education reportedly aimed at 11 to 19 years of age. Both this group and their anti-censorship/anti-book banning are missing what should be the main point of this discussion. ( Full disclosure – as a third generation liberal, I am in the latter camp.)

As a pediatric nurse practitioner and developmental specialist, I have been providing sex education as well as gynecology care for decades. I have the experience as well as data to support the fact that sex education is very important. But providing materials supposing that what is good for 11-year-olds is good for 19-year-olds is pretty ridiculous.

There are at least three distinct developmental groups with very different needs in the area of sex education within the 11- to 19-year age span.

This is not about grandiose ideologies. The primary goal is how to keep our kids healthy both physically and emotionally.

It requires different materials for the preteen, young teen and older teen. I think we can all agree on these goals. We need to get there via practical and civil discussions.

As for sexual identity, the letter from our Congregational ministers was exactly on target. As adults, we need to tell our kids that they are great exactly how they are. And yes, I have the data to prove that that kind of acceptance helps keep kids healthy.

Sincerely,

Betsy Groth APRN,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author is a Board Certified Pediatric Mental Health Specialist and Child & Family Advocate.