Adolescent Changes

I think most people could sum up their middle school experience as awkward. This sense of awkwardness is not only a result of changes and new experiences but also due to a lack of information regarding these events. Middle school aged children that go through these changes also are struggling with a sense of self. They are trying to figure out who they are as well also trying to figure out what they think their friends want them to be. Most kids just want to fit in, but trying to figure out how to do this well undergoing changes can be very stressful for children. The pressures from school and at home can be more than enough for many kids, but then to add on the pressures of trying to fit in during puberty can be overwhelming for all children.
There should be a more comprehensive ways in which children can find out about information regarding the changes they are going through during puberty. Many parents are hesitant to talk to their children about such issues with their children because it may be awkward or embarrassing for both the child and the parent. Another reasons parents may not be able to talk about these issues is because they are not informed and do not know how to answer their children’s questions. This raises the question of whether schools should be responsible for this kind of education. Should sexual education be included in the classroom along with reading and writing? Many parents may be opposed to this. Do parents have the right to control the curriculum of their children’s schools? I believe that it is important that children receive this information. The trouble is figuring out which age is the most appropriate for first teaching this information. It shouldn’t be at too young of an age in which children can not understand the topic but it shouldn’t be too late that children have already experienced changes in their body or possibly even had sexual experiences.

Questions to consider
Who is responsible for teaching sexual education to children. Parents? Schools? Both? Other sources?
At what age, if any, should schools begin teaching sexual education?