Lauren is a member of the Ohio Advocates. 

As the oldest daughter in a family of five, I was the “trailblazer” sibling.  I got to do everything first—go to school, play varsity sports, learn to drive, etc.—as my younger brother and sister watched and learned from my initial experiences.  For the most part I enjoyed being the oldest.  Yet sometimes the responsibility of setting the lead example was frustrating.  There were times in my adolescence when I wished I had an older sibling to look up to and ask advice.  Especially when it came to issues regarding boys and/or sex. 

When it came to sex, I had no idea where to seek reliable information.  The sex education in my high school was boring and mildly embarrassing.  My health teacher thought she was being progressive in her attempts to teach us about sex but, without realizing it, her lessons reinforced many of the negative stereotypes she was trying to debunk.  My friends from school would share advice based off their own [limited] sexual experiences or from something they had seen on television.  This information was for the most part inaccurate, exaggerated bravado.  There was no way I could have approached my parents with questions about sex!  It just wasn’t an option.

The most effective sex education I received was from my own life experience.  I have certainly made some mistakes along the way, but I have made many sound decisions as well.  I am the kind of person who believes in “no regrets” because I honestly think things happen for a reason.  My life experiences have shaped the person I am today and I am quite proud of the young woman I have become.  I will admit there were times I certainly would have benefited from the advice of an older, caring mentor and access to reliable health information. 

When I go into middle and high schools for my preservice teaching fieldwork, I see my students going through the same awkward and confusing experiences I recently went through myself.  There are many young people who, like me, lack reliable and accurate sources of information about sex.  Although learning from experience is part of life, I do not necessarily want my students learning about sex in the same way I did.  I believe sex education should help students embrace their own sexuality and respect the sexuality of others and that is why I am an advocate for comprehensive sex education.