Comprehensive Sex Education And Comprehensive Sex Education

Human sexuality can be fascinating, complex, contradictory, and sometimes frustrating. Sexuality is interwoven into every aspect of being human; therefore, having knowledge about sex is as essential as having education about human anatomy. However, it is highly recommended to pay close attention when sex education is delivered to youths. (Donatelle 171)

Sexual education in schools has become a highly controversial topic over the past few years. Some people believe students should be taught abstinence-only education, while others believe students need the full on “sex talk”. While the sex education controversy may seem silly, it is very important that students receive the most efficient education possible. When it comes to education parents want their children to receive the most effective kind. This is also very true in terms of sex education. Sex education is very debatable right now as to whether students should be taught abstinence-only education or comprehensive sex education.

* Parents should be kept up to date with what their children are doing and encouraged to get involved as much as possible

Unfortunately, the lack of understanding or wanting to learn differing opinions is a downfall of American society. There is no social scientific base for Haeglin’s focus group. The reality is, she (a mom chaperone)was discussing sex education class with a group of female college freshmen, who chose to go on spring break with parent chaperone. Alas, the whole situation an anomaly. It is imperative to have sex education in school. If students do not have sexual knowledge, how will they understand how to make the right decisions for themselves? Schools are not promoting sex they are informing and teaching students about their bodies and how to take care of their bodies.

It’s safe to say that most of our school systems today use the “Abstinence- Only” approach. School systems teach sex education classes in middle school, where most students will not be in a situation where they must use the information used in these courses, such as contraceptives. In middle school, it is best to learn the Abstinence Only approach, while becoming a high schooler, it would be more effective to use the Safe- Sex approach to increase their knowledge on the consequences of sex. While reading an article, a high schooler engaged in a sex education class said,

Whether it is safe sex practices or even abstinence, all of these issues must be dealt with in an educational setting. Non judgmental open discussions need to be held at a mature environment in the classroom when discussing sex. Using Biology to introduce the reproductive systems is a productive way to start. However, sexual morals in the lecture would be a topic to stay away from.

Other supporters think that sex education should not deviate from other teachings of other health curricula such as drunk driving, tobacco use, drug use, alcohol consumption, gun use, fighting; all things which are taught to just not do (Collins, Alagira, and Summers 12-13). They believe that it is the responsibility of a public institution which serves kids to teach them risk avoidance rather than harm reduction (“WebMD: Better Information. Better Health”).

As per Dr. Safran, to better assist the students, we should listen to the parent and consider what their thoughts, concerns (Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010)

Often, sexual education can go against an individual's moral or religious beliefs. Many schools do not teach abstinence only but teach safe sex, whereas many religious groups and families do not value intercourse before marriage. Teachers may input their own beliefs or morals into the subject matter rather than stick with the facts if they are not properly trained on how to conduct a sex education course. Sex education classes are briefly focused on during a health class or physical education. This is not a long enough period to educate students on such serious material. These arguments does not take into account the fact that students will be taught on subjects such as, sexually transmitted diseases, the reproductive system, sexually and birthing issues rather than the stuff they learn through peers, television or the internet. Many of the myths learned by students about sex swill also are discussed, such as not being able to get pregnant the first time. Classes for those of a younger group are separated by gender, saving embarrassment amongst students and teachers. Teaching sex education can have a major impact on preventing unplanned pregnancy and other sexual problems in adulthood.

in doing so parents need to say what they mean and mean what they say,

The guidance should not be same for everybody because what each child need is not the same.

As children grow, they accumulate knowledge over the years about a variety of subjects to prepare them for the future. Children learn from parents, schools, life experiences, what they watch and other influences around them, and it can be either positive learning or negative learning. There is one subject that is difficult to teach and have control over because of misunderstandings, lack of teaching, and publicity. Sex education has been a major debate for children under eighteen, because there are some parents that want it taught in schools and others that do not because of different reasons. There are currently eighteen states and the District of Columbia that require schools to provide sex education and thirty-two that do not require

The purpose of this paper is to explain the importance of sexual education and describe differences and similarities in some of the research done on this topic. Having sexual education available to youth is the key in reducing the number of unwanted situations in the sexual health of the individuals. Teaching adolescents about sex is beneficial because they become aware of consequence that might follow specific actions. This is a chance to ensure adolescents take safer routes when deciding to become sexually active. Youth sexual education has been correlated with preventing unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Many schools have sexual education programs but many teenage pregnancies that are unplanned and STIs are occurring. One reason could be because very few of these sexual education programs are attending to the traditional social norms around sexuality and gender. It is important to consider and focus on the traditional social norms because findings in previous studies have found those that hold traditional social beliefs around gender and sexuality, are at greater risks of negative sexual health consequences. Adolescents should be given the opportunity to receive the proper sexual education in order to eliminate negative sexual health consequences. Researchers have found that individuals in sexual education programs that address traditional social norms and the effects of these beliefs, are less likely to agree with hegemonic masculinity

Another issue uncovered was that the sexual health messages provided in schools have a negative focus, urging students to take precaution to avoid pregnancy or the contraction of an STI (Coleman et al., 2010). This risk emphasis makes sexual education an unpleasant topic for students, influencing the way they perceive the class as a positive place, and resulting in students not likely to follow safe sex messages (Coleman et al., 2010).

In essence, we have those who believe we are doing children an injustice by withholding crucial information. Yet others believe it is their right to choose when and where we educate our