Reading Reflection #4

"Communities across the country have fought against things like contraceptive ads on television and sex education in schools"

I was first taught about sex education when I was in the sixth grade. Back then sex to me was irrelevant and I didn't care about it. I just looked at it as another lesson my teacher was giving to me that I would most likely have a test on. I was more focused on playing outside in the dirt and wrestling with my friends. Even when watching television I never used to pay attention to contraceptive commercials, they didn't seem any different then the other commercials that were on tv, they were just taking time away from the show I was watching. After sixth grade I went three years again until I took health class my freshman year of high school. My health class was more in depth with discussions and visuals then in the sixth grade. But to be honest I still didn't care that much about sex and the different diseases you can get. The best part I can remember was the demonstration of how to put a condom on a banana. One thing I do know was that I was never taught about different kinds of sexuality. Everything was male and female. I guess growing up in such a secluded place it didn't cross the teachers minds that they should teach us about different people. When teachers did mention homosexual people it seems like they always made it seem like it was a choice that they made, and it wasn't a biological ordeal. Newman writes in this chapter that, "a growing body of literature is providing some evidence that sexual orientation is not chosen but is biologically determined." Even after reading specific evidence that homosexuality is a biological makeup of different genes I still don't know if I'm completely on the bandwagon. I say this not to be a jerk, but if it is a biological makeup then how do they explain people that are bisexual. The way I understand bisexual is that you can choose to prefer men or women. The word "choose" is where I still don't understand how it can be a biological makeup and not someones choice. Although I may be by myself in wondering things such as this, Newmans discussion in chapter four about homosexuality and sex education in schools made me think back to when I was a kid that just didn't care and understand.