Annotated Bibliography: Florida State Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services

In 1913, sex education became a topic that was found to be an important education tool. Since then, this form of education has been a hot and debatable topic among many Americans. The original reason for sex education classes was to reduce problems such as sexually transmitted illnesses and prostitution. In recent years, abstinence has become the focus of sex education curriculum. Abstinence means refraining from sex completely. Although, it is the only one-hundred percent way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies, abstinence-only instruction should not be the only form of sex education taught. Our youth need to know about all aspects of sex. This intails how to protect them if they choose to become sexually

Schmidt, S. W., Shelley, M. C., Bardes, B. A., Maxwell, W. E., Crain, E., & Santos, A. (2010).

Abstinence teaching only is not effective when trying to prevent STIs in teenagers. According to "Life123" (2012), ”While abstinence-only education programs have the support of many major national religious groups, a comprehensive sex education program in schools has the backing of a wide range of educational and medical organizations. Most proponents of comprehensive sex education argue that teens should be encouraged to abstain, but should also get information about contraceptives, sexually transmitted diseases, and how to prevent HIV” (Family).

Since the HIV/AIDS epidemic began in the U.S. in the early 1980s the issue of sex education for American youth has had the attention of the nation. There are about 400,000 teen births every year in the U.S, with about 9 billion in associated public costs. STI contraction in general, as well as teen pregnancy, have put the subject even more so on the forefront of the nation’s leading issues. The approach and method for proper and effective sex education has been hotly debated. Some believe that teaching abstinence-only until marriage is the best method while others believe that a more comprehensive approach, which includes abstinence promotion as well as contraceptive information, is necessary. Abstinence-only program curriculums disregard

To achieve these goals individuals must be educated and provided with information that will assist with making better choices and providing individuals with the resources that will allow them to seek appropriate care. According to the World Health Organization, public health programs that has encompasses these factors has been successful with reducing the number of cases of sexually transmitted disease that are reported each year. For example a study conducted in Norway where there was a decrease of approximately 10,000 for new cases of sexually transmitted diseases once an effective public health program was established within the community. The program was able to improve the prevention and treatment of citizens within the community. To achieve this results worldwide primary and secondary prevention programs need to be enhanced and integrated into community health care systems that will be accessible to everyone within the

“Recognizing that African Americans continue to lead in the number of new HIV cases in North Carolina, the Wake County HIV Faith Coalition depends on the African American faith-based community to be on the forefront to break down barriers and eliminate stigma surrounding HIV.”

The more frequent occurrence of STDs in the younger generations are also based upon the multiple barriers in retrieving the benefits in STD prevention services which includes the lack of health insurance or inability to pay, no transportation, embarrassment of the services in the facilities, and worries of discretion. (STDs) According to the US Department of Health and Human Service, twenty five percent of sexually active adolescents have already obtained an STD. (Parillo) The severity of the issue is approached with the control strategies and educational strategies. In which these educational strategies are more effective when it involves a big health educational program that is provided to our minors. The young populations that are particularly affected by STDs are the young women with a low income for it is easier for a female to receive an STD compared to men. And with those women having a low income, they are not able to access the services that are being provided to them. Today, four in ten sexually active adolescent girls have obtained an STD that can cause infertility and death; also two thirds of adolescent boys have HIV diagnoses.

There are over one million reports of probable poisonings in the U.S. that involve children below the age of six each year. Although numerous studies have shown the importance of poison centers and their invaluable role in reducing healthcare costs, they still remain an underutilized service. Much of its underuse is prevalent in low-income African-American and Latino parents, as well as those with limited English proficiency.1

Safe-sex practices should be taught in every school district and household in the world. If more people were informed on how serious this disease is and how easily one can get infected, there would be a tremendous decline in transmissions. The simplest way to prevent the spread of HIV is obviously to be abstinent, however with social reform in modern day society more and more teenagers are beginning to become sexually active. In hindsight of this inevitable change, the development of a higher educational program concerning sexual intercourse needs to be developed. Education in the fragile aspects of

In North Carolina at Franklin County public schools they cut AIDS and STDs out of their health textbooks and put in their sexual education classes and teach that to their 9th graders (Donovan Pg. 1). The state law in North Carolina is to teach abstinence until marriage in their comprehensive health education program for

In the future Sexual Education courses will prevent teen pregnancy and teen abortions as well as educate students about factors that can affect life such as the deadly disease AIDS and other STD’s, inform youth about making smart choices about sex now and in the future, prevents accidental pregnancies, and assist in empowerment and awareness against sexual violence.

Comprehensive sexual health education (sex ed) is the provision of information about sex, sexuality, relationships, and physical development. The content taught in sex education includes facts provided about different contraceptives and condoms, puberty, relationships, body image, sexual orientation, and prevention of sexual violence (Bridges). Sex education should be a part of school curriculum throughout all grade levels with age-appropriate material for each year. Sex ed in schools has been controversial since the 1960s (Cornblatt), when the argument over how detailed the lessons should be developed. There have been many fears surrounding the notion that courses on comprehensive sexual education will cause juveniles to engage in more sexual behavior, as if the actions are not already happening. Even though it has been many years since comprehensive sex ed has been proven to be a benefit to students, schools are still teaching abstinence-only programs. Programs only teaching abstinence can be harmful to youth. They ignore young people’s rights to thorough and honest information about the most effective ways to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Schools should have the responsibility of providing comprehensive sex education to give adolescents the skills they need to make healthy decisions regarding sex and relationships.

Sex and drug education can start in the home before the child is even of age to attend school; it can then continue throughout the school years and all the way through high school. So many excellent, age-appropriate resources exist to engage children, adolescents, and teenagers with education. The National Institute on Drug Abuse arms parents and educators with a plethora of resources such as books, workbooks, and videos to get an age-appropriate message to all children about the dangers of drug abuse (NIDA). The advocates for youth organization believes sex education and prevention programs regarding sexually transmitted diseases have an enormous positive impact on our youth.

This study is designed to focus on the effectiveness of school based sex education programs in order to prevent teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). School districts across the United States have been teaching sex education program, however each varies with the type of program that is taught. The number of adolescents who engage in sexual activities has declined in past years. Nonetheless, the United States being one of the most industrialized nations still has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy. Risky sexual behaviors likewise attribute to the number of individuals who live with sexually STD’s/HIV/AIDS. Of high school students

What does it take to stop teen pregnancies and the spread of STD’s? Sex education in school is a major controversial idea around the world. Tolerance is when people deal with or accept something even though they may not agree with it. Sexual education in school is based on what students need to know to be protected. The schools that do not teach sexual education, teach the idea of abstinence. Abstinence is the idea of retaining from any sexual activity to stay “pure” until marriage. Schools focus on teen pregnancies, STD and HIV prevention, dating violence,body image, and healthy relationships. Sexual education in schools is a occurring problem in society over the years.