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I think that this panel has some interesting thoughts, but maybe there could have been some more balance, like having someone more conservative in their sexual practices on the panel. Not every kid will relate to this.

This forum is why are children is so screwed-up, the supposed adults in this forum are coming between the young adults and their own parents in saying this 'trash'!!!

Of all the above, I believe the high-school student gives the most level-headed response. He or she is right: "If it had not been so one-sided, this panel could have been a very beneficial event." It was not a well-balanced representation of ideas or ideals, which, ultimately, would have helped because these are real issues that teens are dealing with--not all teens deal with them at the same time, but those issues are out there waiting for them. How much better would it have been to have parents at the same presentation or to have them meet with a balanced panel later that day to discuss the issues that came up. This could them to actually discuss them with their children and hopefully be inspired toward more candor about their own thoughts on these topics.

As a high-school teacher myself, I am appalled at a number of things (but not everything) said by members of the panel. I think they suffer from two common problems we find among adults when they engage in conversation with teens these days: 1) they assume they know more about the hearts and minds of teens than they really do and 2) they want to sound as if they really "get" them.

Firstly, please don't tell them what you know they are going to do. As a matter of fact, please don't do that to anyone. It's insulting and it's presumptuous. Regardless of where you fall on the political and/or ideological spectrum, you can not speak for everyone's intentions and it is just as obnoxious when people who are liberal-minded do it as when people who are conservative do it. Further, I essentially spend more time with teens than I do with adults by nature of my job, but it is imperative for their sakes and for my own that I always remember that I am not their peer or their buddy. There are students with whom I am close and I look forward to watching them grow into the powerful young adults I see waiting inside them, but they don't hang out in my room after school or email me with questions because they want another teen's perspective on things--they can get that from their friends--they do so because they want to hear from someone who is older, who has longer life experience, and who feels somewhat maternal toward them, someone who is past the point of worrying about being cool.

Lastly, and perhaps this is just my own prejudice speaking, if the above transcript is accurate I am appalled at the number of "likes," "you knows," and incomplete thoughts expressed by the adult panel. There were times when I was completely lost as to what point a speaker was making because his or her answer was so convoluted. Sadly, some of the more useful comments made by the panel in reference to such things as tobacco and its targeting of America's youth got lost or confused in a hodgepodge of incoherent statements.
Again, I must agree with guest user #9: this was a missed and misused opportunity that could have been something so much better if it had been well-planned and well-balanced.

After reading this (versus the crap I've heard about it in the media in Denver), I think it was a very open, honest presentation about the realities of sex, drugs and what really is happening in our culture. If we were more honest as parents and citizens, we'd be able to really educate teens today about the realities, risks and consequences, and know that they will make decisions that will be good and bad. That's part of growing up!

Turning our heads away from the realities (and attempting to shield them from our kids), is like sticking your head in the sand.
Benefitting no one and just like when we were young, teens will find the info. they're looking for, and they can tell when adults are lying to them.

This is crazy, but I fear par for the course. Kudos to the last student who stood up.

Perhaps Bill O'Reilly should read this.

Unbelievable, I think that says it all. If my children attended this "forum" I would have the principles head on a freaking platter.

Having spent a career working with pregnant teens and teens who were convicted for sexual misbehaviors, I appreciate a high school that is willing to open up a conversation about sex and drugs. We won't do it right the first time. There were many other issues that could have been explored. The panelists use of humor was probably an attempt to relieve some of the anxiety of publicly speaking about a subject that is usually exploited by the media in 30 second sound bites, media advertising, pop music and TV. It was a laudable first step. I say congratulations to administrators for the courage to explore the issues, the panelists for being willing to speak, and the students for active participation. Keep the conversation active.

This school district needs to leave sex ed. to the parents. Are we better off today than in the 50's, when children weren't so SAVVY to all of the interesting ways to be sexual? I don't think so. Parents, there must be a lawyer among you, maybe the school district needs a nice big lawsuit to kick it into gear and get this trash out of the schools. Oh, and I thought we couldn't mix religion with education, why the hell is this idiot talking about Onan? Oh, that's right, it's only when we want to get rid of PRAYER in school. Disgusting. One word - LAWSUIT!!!

Encouraging kids to have sex , and to use drugs is IRRESPONSIBLE. Period