My school’s financial aid office is literally telling us to stop eating lunch so we can pay for our education.
im gonna set myself on fire
Michigan Court Rules Kids Don’t Deserve an Education
Redacted Tonight with LEE CAMP airs every Friday at 8pm EST on RT America and every episode can also be found on www.YouTube.com/RedactedTonight.
The Importance of Comprehensive Sexual Education:“Research has identified highly effective sex education and HIV prevention programs that affect multiple behaviors and/or achieve positive health impacts. Behavioral outcomes have included delaying the initiation of sex as well as reducing the frequency of sex, the number of new partners, and the incidence of unprotected sex, and/or increasing the use of condoms and contraception among sexually active participants. Long-term impacts have included lower STI and/or pregnancy rates.” [x]
We need to equip people with knowledge and resources to maintain a healthy and safe lifestyle. By teaching comprehensive sex education we are allowing people to make informed decisions about their health and and personal lives. - Paige
The Basics (Anatomy and Biological functions):
- What is a vagina?
- What is a vulva? (Basic Anatomy inside links.)
- What is the vagina’s biological function during sexual intercourse (specifically PIV sex)?
- What is the uterus and what is it’s biological function?
- What is a hymen and what are the different kinds of hymens?
- What is the purpose of a hymen?
- Which hole does urine come out of and which hole does menstruation come out of?
Menstrual Cycle:
- What is a menstrual cycle?
- What is menstruation?
- Why do we menstruate?
- How to use pads, tampons, and menstrual cups.
- What is ovulation?
- The vagina, is in fact, designed to keep itself clean with the help of natural secretions (discharge). But there are ways you can help maintain the cleanliness of your vagina (i.e. avoiding perfumed soaps and gently washing the vulva area, not the actual vagina.) Click the link for more information.
- *Vaginal odors and discharge; what’s normal and what’s not?
- What is douching?
- “A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, is a procedure to test for cervical cancer in people. A Pap smear involves collecting cells from your cervix — the lower, narrow end of your uterus that’s at the top of your vagina.”
- When do I need a pap smear?
What are vaginal orgasms? Clitoral orgasms? G-Spot orgasms? How can you achieve an orgasm?
- “A “vaginal orgasm” is the notion that [people] can have an orgasm through stimulation during intercourse or other vaginal penetration, entirely without clitoral stimulation. However, the vagina has few nerve endings, and therefore cannot create an orgasm on its own. Instead of thinking of the vagina and clitoris as separate entities, try thinking about them as a network of nerves and muscles.”
- “There’s some disagreement about the size of the G-spot; it may range from a quarter inch to a couple inches along the upper wall of your vagina, about an inch or two past your vaginal opening. Underneath it is highly sensitive tissue that, when touched the right way, triggers feelings of sexual happiness, explains Debby Herbenick, PhD.”
- Myths and facts about orgasms.
- Tips on how to have an orgasm.
- Having trouble reaching an orgasm? No worries, there is help! [x][x]
Female Genital Mutilation Information:
- “Female genital mutilation (FGM) includes procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.”
- “The procedure has no health benefits for girls and women.”
- “Procedures can cause severe bleeding and problems urinating, and later cysts, infections, infertility as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths.”
- “FGM is a violation of the human rights of girls and women.”
The Basics (Anatomy and Biological Functions):
- What is a penis?
- What are testicles? (Basic Anatomy inside links.)
- What is the penis’ biological function during sexual intercourse? (Specifically PIV sex.)
- Examining your testicles for Testicular Cancer: How to.
- “Gently wash the penis with warm water each day when you’re having a shower or bath. If you have a foreskin, pull it back gently and wash underneath.”
- “Gently washing your penis once a day with warm water is sufficient to maintain good hygiene. If you want to use soap, choose a mild or non-perfumed soap to reduce the risk of skin irritation.”
What is an erection and ejaculation?
- “An erection begins in the brain. Physical and/or mental stimulation cause nerves in the brain to send chemical messages to nerves in the penis telling the penile blood vessels to relax so that blood can flow freely into the penis. Once in the penis, high pressure traps the blood within both corpora cavernosa. This causes the penis to expand and sustain an erection.”
- “Ejaculation, the release of semen at climax, is triggered when a person reaches a critical level of excitement.”
- *Overcoming ejaculation problems.
- Is ejaculation and having an orgasm the same thing?
- What is semen and what does it do?
- What is Erectile Dysfunction? Treatments.
What is circumcision & is it medically necessary?
- “Circumcision is the removal of a simple fold of skin (the `foreskin’ or `prepuce’) that covers the head (glans) of the un-erect penis.”
- While there are benefits of being circumcised, it is not medically necessary.
The Basics:
- What is masturbation and how do you do it?
- Why do people masturbate?
- Is masturbating normal and can it be harmful?
(Short answer: Masturbation is normal, and no it is not harmful!)- WebMDs Masturbation FAQ.
- The benefits of masturbation: [x] [x]
- An Asexual’s Guide to Masturbation.
- People define “sex” in different ways. Some people believe that it only counts as sex if a penis goes into a vagina, but this isn’t true for everybody. There are lots of different ideas about what sex can be: Vaginal sex (penis-in-vagina intercourse), Oral sex (mouth-to-genital contact), Anal sex (penis-in-anus intercourse), Dry humping or genital rubbing, Fingering or hand jobs (hand-to-genital contact), and Masturbation.
- What is oral sex?
- What is anal sex?
- Why do people have sex?
- How to have safe sex.
(STI and pregnancy prevention goes more in depth below!)What is Consent and is it mandatory?
- “Whenever you have sex, you need to make sure that your partner is just as enthusiastic about having sex. In other words, that they give their full consent.” Consent is an enthusiastic, freely-given, uncoerced, sober, “yes”.
- Consent is ALWAYS mandatory, whether you’re married, dating or just met.
- What is sex without consent? Rape/Sexual Assault.
What is sexual assault? What is rape? (Resources below.)
- Sexual assault can be verbal, visual, or anything that forces a person to join in unwanted sexual contact or attention.
- What do I do if I’ve been sexually assaulted?
- Sexual assault prevention and awareness.
- Resources for sexual assault victims: United States.
- Resources for sexual assault victims: Canada.
- Resources for sexual assault victims: United Kingdom.
- More international resources.
- More resources.
Is sex supposed to hurt the first time?
- "While it’s common for [some] to feel pain or discomfort with sex, it’s not “normal” in that it has to happen or there isn’t an alternative. Sex is not supposed to hurt: it’s supposed to feel very good.”
[Inside the link above, it does explain what to do to make sure sex is not painful.]Are there benefits to having sex?
- 10 Surprising Health Benefits of Sex.
- Top 11 Benefits of Having Sex.
- 14 Unexpected Benefits of Having Sex.
What does MOGII mean?
- Marginalized Orientation, Gender Identity, and Intersex.
It’s a synonym for LGBTQIAP+ and is inclusive for people who don’t have or don’t want labels, rejects allies, and uses no reclaimed slurs.
- "Sexual orientation describes to whom a person is sexually attracted. Some people are attracted to people of a particular gender; others are attracted to more than one gender. Some are not attracted to anyone.”
- “Affectional orientation is a term that describes to whom a person is romantically attracted, acknowledging that for many people there are more components to attraction than just sexual desire.”
- “The ways in which a person identifies and/or expresses their gender, including self-image, appearance, and embodiment of gender roles. One’s sex (e.g., male, female, intersex, etc.) is usually assigned at birth based on one’s physical biology. One’s gender (e.g., man, woman, genderqueer, etc.) is one’s internal sense of self and identity.”
- Some gender identities.
- Some more gender identities.
- Genderqueer and Non Binary Identities.
- Resources for most Gender Identities.
(Resources for understanding gender identity, figuring out yours, how to come out to parents and friends, transitioning resources, local supports, and more!)
- "Some people who identify as asexual do not experience sexual attraction to other people, while others experience sexual attraction but no desire to act on these attractions.”
- “Asexuality and Celibacy are not the same. Many people who are asexual live a celibate life, meaning that they do not engage in sex with others. But while Celibacy is a choice, asexuality is not.”
- “Asexuality is not a dysfunction, and there is no need to find a "cause” or a “cure.”“ [x]
- Are all people who identify as asexual sex repulsed? No!
- Asexual Visibility and Education Network.
What does transgender mean? (Resources below!)
- "Transgender – or trans – is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity or expression is different from those typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth (e.g., the sex listed on their birth certificate).” [x]
- “Transgender may be used to describe someone who was assigned female or male at birth, but later realizes that label doesn’t accurately reflect who they feel they are inside.”
- Resources for transgender people.
- More resources for transgender people
- Coming Out as Trans
- All About Gender Therapy
- Trans Health Matters: Trans Women
- Trans Health Matters: Trans Men
- Top 10 Trans-Friendly Colleges
- “Intersex” is a general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male.
- How common is intersex?
- Intersex Society of North America.
- Resources for intersex people.
What are STIs, how do you get them, and what are the symptoms?
- “A sexually transmissible infection (STI) is any infection or disease that can be passed from one person to another during sexual activity. Sexually transmissible infections include chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, scabies, pubic lice (crabs), hepatitis and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).”
- Why do we call them STIs now and not STDs?
- Everyone is at risk of obtaining an STI, but some are more at risk.
- STIs that can be contracted through non-sexual contact.
How do you protect yourself from STIs?
- Female / male condoms and dental dams.
- Finger cots (finger condoms).
- Post-exposure prophylaxis, is a short-term antiretroviral treatment to reduce the likelihood of HIV infection after potential exposure.
- Know the signs and symptoms of an STI. If you notice a symptom that worries you, get checked out!
- How do I get tested for STIs?
- What treatments are out there for STIs?
What is pregnancy? When are you considered to be pregnant? How do you get pregnant?
- To be pregnant is to have an embryo/fetus developing in your uterus. “A pregnancy is considered to be established only after implantation is complete.”
- "When engaging in unprotected vaginal intercourse during which ejaculation of sperm occurs in the vagina. The sperm can then travel up through the cervix, into the uterus, and, if an egg is present, the sperm may fertilize it.”
- “It is also possible — but less likely — for a person to become pregnant through any kind of sex play in which semen, or ejaculate, comes in contact with the vulva. The sperm can travel through the moisture on the vulva into the vagina.”
- WebMD’s Online Pregnancy Center.
- What to Expect: Pregnancy.
- Pregnancy Resources.
What are my options if I get pregnant?
- If you’re pregnant you have three options; parenting, adoption, and abortion.
- Only you can decide what is right for you, definitely take some time to go over your options, but remember, the sooner you decide the more options you’ll have.
- Resources for Decision Making and Low Income Parenting.
- Abortion funds and Judicial Bypass.
How do you prevent pregnancy? (Check out birth control masterpost below.)
- ****Contraceptives Masterpost****
^^ Lists many birth control options (and links you to more information about these options), goes over emergency contraceptives and FAQs, birth control FAQs, options for people with allergies or personal preferences, and debunks myths about birth control.- Lubricants that should not be used on condoms.
- Where can I obtain birth control/contraceptives?
- Guide to getting privacy under parent’s health insurance.
- 10 Ways to save on Birth Control.
Further proof that you can learn more about sex ed off the internet than you can from a North Carolina school system. Which taught only that sex was evil and only a form of disease transmission.
“Children are required to be in school, where their freedom is greatly restricted, far more than most adults would tolerate in their workplaces. In recent decades we’ve been compelling them to spend ever more time in this kind of setting, and there’s strong evidence that this is causing psychological damage to many of them. And as scientists have investigated how children naturally learn, they’ve realized that kids do so most deeply and fully, and with greatest enthusiasm, in conditions that are almost opposite to those of school….
Most people assume that the basic design of today’s schools emerged from scientific evidence about how children learn. But nothing could be further from the truth.
Schools as we know them today are a product of history, not research.
….
Research has shown that people of all ages learn best when they are self-motivated, pursuing answers to questions that reflect their personal interests and achieving goals that they’ve set for themselves. Under such conditions, learning is usually joyful.
The evidence for all of this is obvious to anyone who’s watched a child grow from infancy to school age. Through their own efforts, children figure out how to walk, run, jump, and climb. They learn from scratch their native language, and with that, they learn to assert their will, argue, amuse, annoy, befriend, charm, and ask questions.
….They do all of this before anyone, in any systematic way, tries to teach them anything.
This amazing drive and capacity to learn does not turn itself off when children reach five or six. But we turn it off with our coercive system of schooling.”Thank
“and there’s strong evidence that this is causing psychological damage to many of them.”
real glad we’re just learning this now
information that shocks literally no one who’s under 30
Link to article for handy ref (opens in new tab)
There are some of us a bit over thirty who aren’t too fucking shocked either…
“Children are required to be in school, where their freedom is greatly restricted, far more than most adults would tolerate in their workplaces. In recent decades we’ve been compelling them to spend ever more time in this kind of setting, and there’s strong evidence that this is causing psychological damage to many of them. And as scientists have investigated how children naturally learn, they’ve realized that kids do so most deeply and fully, and with greatest enthusiasm, in conditions that are almost opposite to those of school….
Most people assume that the basic design of today’s schools emerged from scientific evidence about how children learn. But nothing could be further from the truth.
Schools as we know them today are a product of history, not research.
….
Research has shown that people of all ages learn best when they are self-motivated, pursuing answers to questions that reflect their personal interests and achieving goals that they’ve set for themselves. Under such conditions, learning is usually joyful.
The evidence for all of this is obvious to anyone who’s watched a child grow from infancy to school age. Through their own efforts, children figure out how to walk, run, jump, and climb. They learn from scratch their native language, and with that, they learn to assert their will, argue, amuse, annoy, befriend, charm, and ask questions.
….They do all of this before anyone, in any systematic way, tries to teach them anything.
This amazing drive and capacity to learn does not turn itself off when children reach five or six. But we turn it off with our coercive system of schooling.”Thank
“and there’s strong evidence that this is causing psychological damage to many of them.”
real glad we’re just learning this now
information that shocks literally no one who’s under 30
I’m damn near 50 and this shocks me not one iota.
Boost the economy by forgiving student loans (by The Big Picture RT)
when will america learn….
We won’t learn, because our education system sucks
Instead of treating kids like machines in a factory, being created into obedient workers. It looks like in Finland they’re treated like actual humans.
it’s also because all teachers there have masters’ degrees, and teaching is seen as a prestigious profession like medicine or law.
What’s actually wrong with American schools is not that they’re not like Finnish schools.
What’s wrong with American schools is that they’re an outdated relic of the early 20th century, where the object was to train a child to have the mindset required to work in a factory job long hours of the day, as at the time that mandatory public school was instituted, that was the main expectation of children.
As the industrial age faded and the US entered the era of private sector jobs, the education system failed to reflect that change, and they’re still training us to have the mindset for an industrial job, not a job in today’s job market.
The problem with American schools is not that they’re not like Finnish schools.
The problem with American schools is that they’re preparing us for jobs that no longer exist.
That bold text.. 😔
Why could I not be born in Finland?
On my way
So, today I registered for my classes at community college! They are just waiting to get my transcripts and I need to pay my tuition by the August 2nd. So, yay.
I was only able to register for two classes being this late into registration. They are both online classes, the only way I could take them, and a lab. They are Basic Computer Skills and Anatomy. The only one that worries me is the computer skills class because technology has never been my friend. Together with fees it will run me about $512 all together. The first CNA class will only be about $125!
I might have to eat a lot of ramen for the first month or two but it will be worth it to get the hell out of housekeeping.On that front, the worthless old man that I work with, the one that has to retire before they make me full time, is considering leaving at the end of the year! That means I get to work year round, get more pay and finally get some benefits!
Here’s hoping.
