NCJ Number
117626
Date Published
1988
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Teaching about AIDS in school classrooms will remain controversial for some time and will continue to include several considerations, including whether to tell young people what to do and emphasize fear or to respect their ability to process information and develop decisionmaking skills for themselves with adult input.
Abstract
Other issues that must be considered are how to meet resistance to comprehensive family life and sexuality education programs that include AIDS, whether to define sexuality more clearly and help young people sort out behaviors that do and do not put them at risk, and whether it is possible to convince the public that sexuality information will not encourage adolescents to have sexual intercourse. Other issues include whether to encourage abstinence and how to confront AIDS and put it in the context of sexuality as a cherished and respected aspect of human life. Educators must recognize that AIDS inspires strong reactions in parents, teachers, and young people themselves. In addition, differences in values can create divisiveness and conflict. Thus, communities must arrive at some consensus about what should be taught and at what grade levels. Educators should recognize and respect their interplay with students' families. Possible educational approaches include continuum teaching, training of peer leaders, and integrating AIDS integration into a comprehensive health or family life education program. Educators should be careful in their own choice of language and clear in their communication of concepts. 4 references.