Get Real, a sex education curriculum published by Planned Parenthood and approved for use in Massachusetts public schools by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
[Editor’s Note: The following article contains quotations from state-approved sex education manuals that describe certain sex acts and sexual situations in graphic terms. New Boston Post does not consider this article appropriate for children to read. We are publishing it because this material will become mandatory in all or almost all public schools in Massachusetts if the Comprehensive Sexuality Education bill, which was approved by the Massachusetts Senate on Thursday, January 16, 2020, becomes law.]
Once again, some Democrats in the Massachusetts Legislature want to mandate sex education at the state level.
The bill, called “An Act Relative to Healthy Youth” (Massachusetts Senate Bill 2399), would require that every public school in the state use state education standards for sex education if they teach about sex at all.
The mandate, recommended by the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Education, states: “Each city, town, regional school district, vocational school district or charter school that offers sexual health education shall provide medically accurate, age-appropriate sexual health education.”
If the bill becomes law, parents, local school administrators, and local school committees would no longer control the type of sex education taught in their schools. Instead, the sex ed mandate would come from a list of textbooks and workbooks approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The Massachusetts Senate plans to vote on the bill on Thursday, January 16.
New Boston Post reviewed content from several of these books that the state’s education agency has approved for so-called Comprehensive Sexuality Education. Below are brief descriptions and quotations:
1.
Title: Get Real: Comprehensive Sex Education That Works
Vincent overheard his older brother telling a friend that he masturbated. Vincent isn’t sure what masturbation is. (Lesson 6.6)
B.
Eric’s parents are out late, and he has some friends over. Eric’s friend Greg wants to take some of Eric’s parents’ alcohol to drink. Greg tells Eric that if they all get drunk, maybe the girl Eric likes will make out with him. Eric tells Greg he doesn’t feel right about that. He says that he likes the girl but wants to talk to her when they are both sober and in control. Plus he doesn’t want to get in trouble with his parents if they find out he’s been drinking.
(Handout 6.7-3)
C.
Grade 7
Brittany’s girlfriend wants to have oral sex with her. Brittany really likes her girlfriend, and her friends say that having oral sex will bring them closer together. (Lesson 7.9)
D.
What to Do on a Date
Instructions: Student and parent or other caring adult should set aside some time to discuss this activity together. Pick 5 of the possible dating behaviors listed and brainstorm the pros and cons of each one.
Dating behaviors:
Chatting, emailing or texting
Going out on a date in a group
Dancing
Touching a partner under clothes
Hugging
Going to an unsupervised party
Watching a movie with a romantic or dating partner
Although eighth graders are typically 13 to 14 years old, the workbook’s “Protections Methods Chart” teaches about the use of internal condoms. It says they “act as a barrier” but warn it “may slip out of place during vaginal or anal intercourse” and “may be difficult to insert” (page 19, Protection Methods Chart).
Brief Overview: Designed for junior high students (grades seven through nine), the book received praise from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Advisory Council. The advisory council’s review mark it as “recommended highly.”
A.
The text includes these instructions for teachers:
Tell the group that you want to talk about some sexual behaviors that don’t include sexual intercourse. The first is masturbation. Ask if anyone can define the word masturbation.
Share the following definitions as needed:
Masturbation is the stimulation of one’s own sex organs for sexual pleasure.
This is usually enjoyed in private but can also be explored with a partner. Some youth experiment with masturbation in groups.
(– page 255)
B.
A section titled “Masturbation Is An Option For Reaching Orgasm” reads as follows:
As I feel the orgasm coming I forget about everything else and get lost in this feeling that starts in the tip of my penis and spreads all over my body. It’s like my body begins swimming all by itself, like there’s something in me reaching out welcoming the pleasure. As it becomes really intense my body begins shaking with excitement. The sensations take me over, and just at the peak of it I can feel this pulsing at the base of my penis and I feel the sperm shooting out of me like I’m sending it off far away. It’s amazing.
(– Page 262 Unit 5, workshop 16: redefining abstinence)
C.
Another section titled “Redefining Abstinence” recommends the following as alternatives to sexual intercourse for those who want to remain abstinent:
mouth-vulva contact
mouth-penis contact
mouth-anus contact
fingering a partner’s genitals
touching a partner’s nipples
(– Page 264 Unit 5, workshop 16: Redefining Abstinence)
D.
And another section titled “Facts About Sexual Behavior” features the following paragraph:
Anal intercourse typically refers to the insertion of a penis into the anus, while anal sex includes anal penetration by a penis, finger, dildo, or other object. Individuals of any sex or gender might engage in and enjoy anal sex. The anus is an erogenous zone, meaning that it contains sensory nerve endings. Some people of different sexes and orientations enjoy having the anus caressed, licked, or penetrated. Because the anus is tight and dry, it must be lubricated with silicone or water-based lubricant before being entered. The sphincter muscles should be relaxed with a finger massage before penetration.
(– page 275, Unit 5, Workshop 17: Lovemaking)
3.
Title: Making Proud Choices!
Published By: Select Media
Brief Overview: This book is recommended for middle school students, particularly in what the book calls “urban” areas and “communities of color” because the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Advisory Council felt as though the book has enough diversity in it.
Excerpts:
A.
A role-playing scenario with the stated goal of encouraging a student to resist pressure to engage in sexual activity reads in part:
your task is to convince Jamie to have sex without protection
(– page 19)
B.
Another scripted role playing scenario features the following passages:
Your parents are out late. Your boyfriend or girlfriend comes over, hoping to have sex with you.
Another one:
Person 1: I don’t have a condom. Using those things is wack, I can’t even feel you … it doesn’t feel as good.
Person 2: That’s not true, I can show you how using one can feel good.
Get Real, a sex education curriculum published by Planned Parenthood and approved for use in Massachusetts public schools by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. 
