Abstinence Should Be Taught In Schools

In 2005, nearly half of all high school students have had sexual intercourse. Plainly stating that abstinence programs do not work (USA Today). Abstinence programs were beneficial many years ago, but since they are ineffective in delaying teen pregnancy, then teen pregnancy rate has increased. Abstinence programs teach the “no sex until marriage” clause, but they don’t teach teens about birth control and the consequences of having sex at before they’ve matured. Although many studies argue that abstinence programs are educational and beneficial, other studies will show that they don’t delay teen sex, they don’t prevent the spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), and are a waste of taxpayers’

There is nothing wrong with encouraging teens to abstain from having sex. But we know, beyond any doubt, that teaching abstinence alone is not a good way to curb teen pregnancy or the spread of sexually transmitted disease. In fact, kids who are taught abstinence alone are less likely to use contraceptives when they do have sex, as many of them inevitably will.

First of all, in 1996, the government of the United States of America approved a law giving money to states that offered abstinence-only courses in community or public schools. Since this period, more than a million dollars has been provided to states to indorse abstinence-only curriculums and to receive the funding, schools have to reach an agreement to adhere to a strict set of rules. For example, the students attending the class must be told that there is a likelihood that they will likely catch some type of disease if they have sexual intercourse before marriage.

The intentional withholding and misinformation given by AOUM programs threatens the fundamental human rights to health and information. Adolescents need complete and accurate information regarding sexual health in order to protect their health and lives (Santelli et al., 2017). The eight-point federal statutory definition of abstinence education requires programs to withhold information on contraception except to emphasize their failure rates. Keeping adolescents uneducated in regards to contraception and other aspects of contraceptive health is inherently trying to force them into abstinence (Stanger-Hall & Hall, 2011; Ott & Santelli, 2007). This contradicts the ethical principle beneficence as it may lead adolescents to engage in unprotected

A censored sexual education does not discuss contraceptives, safe sex practices, nor does it promote abstinence. In fact, abstinence-only education, defined as encouraging teenagers to not engage in sexual intercourse or sexual acts whatsoever, is found in roughly 34% of public schools ("Abstinence Only Vs. Sex Ed. - Effectiveness & Statistics"). Theoretically, abstinence-only is ideal and it truly is the only 100% effective way to prevent STD’s or unplanned pregnancies, though is not practical for modern society. Sexual education was originally omitted from the classroom and left for parents or religious groups to discuss and teach. Abstinence-only sexual education became mainstream in schools as a fear reaction from the teen pregnancy epidemic in the 1970’s and 1980’s (Greslé-Favier, 414). This sexual education style was implemented with good intentions to protect the youth from diseases that had not yet been studied enough such as AIDS, HIV, and Gonorrhea as well as preventing pregnancies that correlated with high teenage dropout rates

For years the government of many nations have tried without success to stop illegal drug trade, sex slave rings, and violence between nations. Nh’at Hanh brings up a very interesting point, would it not make more sense to fund wholesome, clean, nourishment for our mind, body, and soul. Would it not be more fruitful for the government to provide alternatives to drugs and violence, and encourage abstinence? If we want to restore balance to the world we must first transform personal pain, suffering, and loneliness through the acts of mindful consumption, encouraging international communication and understanding, oneness of body and mind, giving of oneself, generosity towards others, and reverence and respect for all living things. If we want to

At the expense of leaving students entirely sexually uninformed, public schools efforts or absence of sexual education leaves today’s youth misinformed and at risk to find themselves facing the real harsh realities of STDS and unexpected pregnancies, which could have simply been prevented if they were only given simple protective methods, instructions and guidance. In this day in age where sex sells, teenagers need to be properly educated so they can make correct decisions.

Sexuality is a part of human life. Throughout this time from birth to death it is guaranteed it will occur for someone. During adolescence, a person is exposed to sexuality and needs to know what messages they are receiving are positive, and which negative. As of 2011, “Eighty-two percent of parents have talked to their children about topics relating to sexuality” (Planned Parenthood). But, schools have to take into account the parents that did not adequately educate their children and ones that didn’t even discuss it at all. “Parents overwhelmingly support sex education programs in high school and middle school” (Planned Parenthood). School districts have goals. Their main one being that students “truly enjoy their life and their work” (Littkey, Grabelle). For students to benefit from their being, they need to be educated on reproductive health. “A 2011 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey indicates that more than 47 percent of all high school students say they have had sex, and 15 percent of high school students have had sex with four or more partners during their lifetime” (CDC). So it is crucial for everyone to learn the risks involved, consequences, how to be safe, and to know when they are ready. The best way to accomplish this is through abstinence-only sex-ed programs.

Too many teenagers are ruining their lives by having babies. This is happening because they are having sex and do have sufficient nad accurate knowledge about sex. For instance, in a study conducted by Carrera, Kaye, Philliber,a nd West only 39% of teenagers questioned knew that urinating after sex does not ever prevent pregnancy. The percentage of teenagers alone who answered correctly should be enough proof that teenagers need to be educated by an adult who has the correct knowledge when it comes to sex and contraceptives. If high schools were to provide this type of course it would help lower the growing number of pregnancies among teens each year.

It is incredible how the mere knowledge of something that is considered taboo by many can change someone´s life. In his Health Education Research, Professor Lawrence St. Leger states that there seems to be a growing consensus claiming that schools can play an important role teaching the youth make informed decisions and help them shape a healthy lifestyle. That is why high schools are considered as the best environment to implement sex education programs within their syllabus to instruct teenagers not only about abstinence but also about a safer sex practice. Indeed, these types of programs have been included because of the increasing number of sexually-active teenagers, which are a matter of serious concern. Sex education helps teenagers to make better decisions – to either be abstinent or to practice a safer sex – allowing the prevention of unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections and having a great impact on the health of society.

Today's teens are exposed to sexual content and behavior regularly that affect their behavior. Many schools teach abstinence as a full proof way to stop the promiscuous behavior and potential diseases. Despite these teachings, teens don’t care and practice unprotected sex anyway and risk getting sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancies. By providing teens with free condoms on campus these risks will greatly decrease. For this to happen school administrations and parents must stop being so gullible and realize teens are having sex. If teens are positively informed about the use of condoms, given confidentiality agreements by a staff member and trusted to make positive decisions teens will be more comfortable engaging in sexual activities. The time has come for change schools need to implement policies now to help teens and stop avoiding real issues that are affecting them.

Within the United States, 38 states of the 48 states examined have some form of abstinence only education. Of those 38, 21 have laws in place that require schools to solely teach abstinence only sex education (Stranger-Hall, Kathrin F. and David W. Hall 4). The logic behind such practices is to prevent teenagers from engaging in intercourse and to decrease the rate of teen pregnancies. The curriculum of abstinence only programs stresses that teenagers should not engage in intercourse since that is the only way to guarantee one will not get pregnant. Information about contraceptives and safe sex to prevent pregnancies and the spread of STDs is not mentioned, and in fact is against those 21 states’ laws regarding use of funds to discuss in the class. The only information about contraceptives that is allowed while using those funds is emphasizing the failure rates (Advocates for Youth). Contrary to what these states are trying to accomplish, the rate of pregnancy is much higher than the median of the United States. Of the 48 states studied, the median rate of pregnancy is 62.5 per 1000 girls aged 14-19. However, the median of pregnancies for states with strictly abstinence only education is 76 per 1000 girls (Stranger-Hall, Kathrin F. and David W. Hall Table 3). The top 5 states with the highest pregnancy rates for girls aged 15-19 (recorded age represents the age at which the pregnancy ended) are New Mexico, 255 per 1000; Mississippi, 241 per 1000; Texas, 235 per 1000;

Recently, there has been a great deal of controversy about abstinence education in schools. Proponents of this type of sex education insist that it is the only way to reduce the teen pregnancy rate and that including information about birth control will 'confuse' the pro-abstinence message. As a teen, I beg to differ with this simplistic characterization of how teens make decisions.

Today, sex education is taught based on the states’ decision that it be necessary. Nineteen states’ laws require abstinence-only sex education in public schools. The Guttmacher Institute further reports that twenty-nine states do not require sex education at all, and thirty-seven do not require sex education curriculum to be medically accurate (Palmer 2). This means that if sex education is taught in schools, it is either about staying abstinent or the information given does not have to be correct. This is not only immoral, but it is messing with the lives of teens when they go out

“There is a large gap between what teachers think should be taught and what they teach when it comes to birth control, abortion and sexual orientation.” (Sex Education) There is also a big difference in what teenagers already know and what they need to know. Kaiser reported that two in five students want more factual information on birth control, how to use it and where to get it from, also how to handle the pressure of having sex. Kaiser also reported that a significant percentage of students say that these topics are not covered in their most recent sexuality education course, or that they are not covered in depth. Of the seventh through twelfth graders that were asked, approximately half of them say they need more information about what to do in the event of rape, sexual assault, how to get tested for HIV or STDs, factual information on HIV and STDs and also how to talk with their sexual partner about birth control and STDs. (Sex Education) Sex education in schools is the process of teaching teenagers information about sex and helping them form their own attitude and belief on sex. The purpose of teaching teenagers about sex early is to help them gain control and make wise decisions about their sexual behavior; being stern on the subject gives teens the confidence and competence they need to act on these choices. (Sex Education That Works) High school students want more information about sexual and reproductive health issues than what they are receiving in school. There