Condoms. AIDS. Human sexuality. Rape. How would you feel if you had to discuss these intimate subjects with members of the opposite sex? Would you ask questions or share your most personal experiences in a gender-mixed class? I wouldn’t. Welcome to sophomore health class.

Having a health class with boys can get extremely uncomfortable. It’s not that the topics discussed in this class aren’t important– they are extremely relevant to today’s teenager– but talking about such personal and private matters can be intimidating, especially when the forum is a classroom filled with boys.  When learning about these matters, awkwardness is unavoidable, even when the discussion is moderated by a teacher.

I personally feel it’s hard to express yourself in a classroom filled with members of the opposite sex. It’s hard to ask questions without worrying about being judged or delivering the wrong message.  Sometimes I worry that if I ask a question or share my opinion, I may open myself up to ridicule.

I question the wisdom of this approach, which encourages intimate conversations and social interaction at the height of “the age of attraction.”