Middle-School Sex Survey Targets Kids as Young as 11

Relying on a 'one size fits all' sex survey, D.C. middle school students were asked to detail their sexual exploits and drug use. Sexually active youngsters and those who just went through the transition to middle school all received the same questions.

Middle School Sex Survey: Designed to Raise STD Awareness

Fox News reports that parents of Hardy Middle School students may have gotten caught unawares when their children were asked about the differences between vaginal, anal and oral sex.

A Metro TeenAIDS survey, which targets potentially sexually active kids between the ages of 11 and 20, poses questions about gender identity, drug use, alcohol use, sexual practices and use of barrier contraceptives.

The problem arose when opt-out letters arrived at parental homes after the kids had already taken the survey. In addition, youngsters who just made the transition to middle school were lumped into the surveyed students.

Thus, a child who may have been reared in a more restrictive home and perhaps not yet received exposure to a lot of sex, drugs and rock 'n roll is sure to have gotten a bit of a shock.

Parents Need to Get with the Program

While it is suspect to have one sex survey that is geared toward 11- as well as 20-year young respondents, Metro TeenAIDS is unapologetic and actually points out that the questionnaire follows D.C. standards. Parents should also get with the program, since "most of those 12-year-olds are much more experienced sexually than those parents might think."

How Sexually Active are America's Teens?

According to the Guttmacher Institute, 46 percent of teens between the ages of 15 to 19 admit to having had sexual intercourse. Prior to age 15, the percentage drops to 13. This number is down from 19 percent in 1995. Even so, the majority of sexually active teens have their first experience at age 17. The Institute points out that "sex is rare among very young teens, but becomes common in the later teenage years."

The facts and figures compiled by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in 2009 paint a slightly different picture. Study outcomes show that sexually active 12-year olds are engaging in various kinds of sex with multiple partners and without barrier protection.

D.C. Middle School Sex Survey a Sign of the Times?

It is obvious that Metro TeenAIDS is incorrect in stating that "most" 12-year olds are more sexually experienced than parents give them credit. Even so, the organization is correct in stating that older middle school students frequently are sexually active.

The implications are obvious: the public school has to do teaching that may (or may not) take place in the home. Parents have to choose whether or not their kids should transition to middle school venues that are public.[source]