If we have learned nothing from run-down sitcom clichés it's that fat oafish guys end up with hot wives, the jerk best friend always comes through in the end, and parents' attempts at talking about sex with their kids always wind up with hilarious, yet heartwarming results.

And everything is resolved in 30 minutes...unless it's an hour-long drama.

The "sex talk" is almost the stuff of urban legend. It's ubiquitous these days, especially with the national debate over abstinence-based education and sex education (involving contraceptives and those oh-so graphic pamphlets).

Depending on who you ask, we are living in a culture that is either tragically oversexed or remarkably sex positive.

And the ones who have to hear about it the most? Kids, who not only have to confront the hormonal monster truck rally that is going on in their bodies, but also the idea that their parents a.) really want to talk to them, and b.) want to talk about sex.

It's like like I said, that really backs you into a corner with an otherwise obvious truth that no one really wants to realize. Your parents. Knockin' boots.

On the other side of that fence are parents, who have to confront all the bizarre advice they may have gotten from their parents, and deal with the fact that their kids are reaching the age where members of opposite sex are no longer the subject of ridicule, scorn and playful violence.

This is what made the idea of "Sex-Ed for Parents" - which is being offered over the next month in the Portland area - very intriguing.

It brings to mind all sorts of potential comedy - your parents sitting in class with a health/gym teacher, talking about things like birth control and "heavy petting." But the classes are really more of a primer on how to just talk with young people about their lives and how to just be there for them. It's also an opportunity for parents to get to learn about things like our friend the Internet, which can present all sort of complications when it comes to sex and relationships.

Sex-Ed for Parents continues this month with a class tonight at Maine Medical Center. Head on over to the Real Life. Real Talk. website to find out more.

Of course all this begs a few questions and some audience participation - how did your parents talk to you about "The Sex?" If you had a few pointers for parents about talking about "it," what would they be?
Any other remedial courses parents should take?

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