- April 20, 2024
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Results from the survey will be discussed April 7, at a public forum.
Results from a recent sex survey given to students grades six through 12 show one-third of all students surveyed report to being sexually active; 74.5% report to knowing someone their age who is sexually active.
The survey, issued a week before spring break, is being used as a tool in deciding whether the district will expand its sex education curriculum beyond abstinence only.
“(The survey) is not a ‘scientific document,’ said Katrina Townsend, Flagler Schools director of student services, via e-mail. She said it was designed to gather data for the School Board to consider.
Of 2,660 students surveyed, 51.7% were 13 or younger; 31.5% were 14 or 15; and 16.9% were 16 years or older.
Of students designated sexually active, 86.8% said their first sexual experience occurred at 15 or younger; 37.8% recorded not using a condom during their first encounter. Fifty-seven percent were agreeable to making condoms available at school, while 81 students declined to answer.
The study measured parental outlook, as well.
Of 144 parents surveyed, 57.3% agreed to making contraceptives available at school clinics. Of those, opinions were split when it came to deciding at which grade to make them available: sixth, seventh and ninth grades were tied at 15%.
Results show that most students desire a more comprehensive sex education: 73.8% of students declared an interest in schools offering more information about sex and what to do to stay healthy.
“This is a very important subject to be taught in schools. Kids need to know about these things,” one student wrote in the comment section of the survey.
But not all felt the same.
“I think that having a class on crap like this is totally useless, considering the nature of teenagers,” another student wrote. “If they won’t listen to peers or their parents, all a class is going to do is take up one more period in our day ... ”
Parents were also asked three questions measuring their knowledge of teenage sexual activity/pregnancy rate, and in each, results showed a majority was unaware of current statistics. Further, 69.2% of parents reported regularly discussing sex, teen pregnancy and expectations with their children.
Parents were given the opportunity to offer anonymous comments, as well.
“I still believe abstinence should be taught,” one parent who opposed a curriculum change wrote. “We are raising our children in a Christian home and are teaching Christian principles. I feel the home is where this choice should be taught, not schools.”
Others, however, supported a change.
“I feel kids are curious and the more education they receive from various sources is better than not getting the true facts,” one parent wrote.
Another parent said handing out condoms at school would “invite ideas into their already confused minds and bodies.”
