Domestic violence and sexual abuse permeates our society and local educators say changing that begins with our children. But are 10-year-old middle school students mature enough to understand adult issues like sex and dating relationships?
There is a program at Allen Jay Middle School in Archdale that addresses the issue.
Educators take an inward approach and teach sexual responsibility by building self-esteem.
According to Jean Workman, Guilford County Department of Public Health, "We estimate about one in eight girls will enter into an unhealthy or abusive dating relationship by the time they graduate from high school."
And for adolescent males, "sexuality is on their minds anyway," Jim Burchel, Family Life Council, says.
Workman says pre-teens are talking about sex and they are having sex.
The Health Department sponsors "Smart Girls" and the family Life Council of Greensboro compliments the program with "Wise Guys." The initiatives are designed to teach self-responsibility, effective value choices and family communication.
"They're going to get it from their peers if they are not getting it from responsible adults, and so we want to provide them with the information," Workman says. The purpose is to open their minds to discuss and question."
Boys and girls are separated for the sessions. Educators focus on subjects like self-esteem, healthy decision making, learning to say no and sexual topics like STDs, safe dating and sex.
"We try to engage parents because we believe that they're the first sexuality educators for their children," Workman says.
Burchel says they program's success has been measured. "The program is the best practice model and has been evaluated. It has always had very good numbers in terms of guys actually changing sort of the way they think."
Guilford County schools are preparing girls for when they get older and teaching boys a healthy understanding of their masculinity and manhood.
Program educators say language is not a barrier. Schools provide "Jovenes Sabios" and "Jovenes Sabias" for Spanish speaking adolescents.
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