Sex Education Is Not Just About Sex

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

Schools should educate students about their bodies, and how to protect them. “The point of this kind of sex education is to inform teenagers about the possible risks of being sexually active and to educate them about methods of birth control and sexually transmitted infection protection.” Students deserve the basic human right live freely, and if their choice may be, considering about 70% of the national teenage population usually make this decision anyway, to be involved in sexual relations than there needs to be a basic knowledge of safety

An alarming rate of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Pregnancy among teenagers has been an ongoing concern and could be linked to the lack of sex education in schools. Statistics show that 3 in 10 teenagers are becoming pregnant every year, and 1 in four teenagers are contracting sexually transmitted infections. There are numerous opposing views towards the teaching of comprehensive sex education in school districts. Many people are opposed to this because they believe that it encourages premarital sexual promiscuity in young adults, is destructive to religious belief, and is inappropriate and harmful. “Comprehensive Sex Education Is Inappropriate and Harmful” is and article that provides concrete evidence, for example, it states in the article that “Teens enrolled in these classes are given false information about how pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases can be avoided and may actually be encouraged to engage in activities that could lead to sexual intercourse” which is quite the contrary. My personal view is that as a nation we should be teaching students comprehensive sex education also known as abstinence plus, because it will better educate students and save money. Comprehensive sex education stresses the importance of abstinence, but also provides important information for the prevention of STI’s and unplanned pregnancies. I believe this needs to be taught in schools because I come from a school that taught abstinence only and nothing more, and the number of

Sexual education teaches adolescents about the use of birth control, their bodies, STD’s, and pregnancy. Due to the awareness of sexual education, adolescents are more careful about sexual intercourse. The pregnancy rate has reached the lowest in modern era between 1990-2010. It declined to 51% pregnancies per 1000 females ages 14-19 to 57.4%. This is the lowest recorded since 1973. Sexual education was not offered in schools until 1983 and many people had close to no knowledge about the options. Even though teens today are aware of their options today, they do not take proper precautions.

Purpose Statement: The aim of this speech is to examine if sexual education should be taught in public school. Thesis Statement: With all the sexual transmitted viruses in the world and youth virginity rate lowing year by year. I feel that it is important that sexual education be taught in public school. Attention Getter: At the age of 15 only 16% of teens openly admitted that they have had sex. By the age of 16 this number triples with 48% of 17 years openly admitting that they have had sex.

“Sex Education Has Succeeded” article by William Finger argues that sex education programs have been an achievement for youths on safe sex. Sex education has increased the knowledge on youth’s on taking better decisions about sex. He mentions that it helps youth make better decisions about sexual activities and for those who are not sexually active it delays intercourse. It reduces pregnancy rates and STD rates. This article is prescriptive issue because the author is stating that sex education is a success and we should continue providing this programs to the youth so they can be informed and have knowledge of sex education.

Comprehensive sex education gives people the knowledge to make responsible choices about sexual relationships. It consists of age appropriate, medically accurate content about sex, puberty, contraceptive use, and human development. In many forms, it can be categorized as a helpful way to teach young children about choices they can take in order to prevent many sexually transmitted diseases, teenage unwanted pregnancy, and delay sexual intercourse. On the dark side, comprehensive sex education can arise many controversies and disagreements between people with distinct cultural and religious views, and the person that should take responsibility in teaching young people. In this paper I will discuss the positive and negative sides on teaching comprehensive sex education in schools.

The implementation of sex education in schools will provide teenagers with the appropriate information about sexual disease and early pregnancies. In the last five years, this theme about Sex Education is expanding ever so gradually within the schools. However, the statistics keep the subject of Sex Education alive in schools by having it be implemented as programs. Schools administrators should have more programs and people who are well trained to help students with learning about Sex Education. After all, the teenagers would be the most vulnerable victims for not being well informed; they could catch a sexual transmitted disease or perhaps get pregnant. Also, the parents and community are an important role in learning about Sex Education. Simply by having an open mind and thinking about the safety and future of their children, we as parents can create a safer environment for our children. One technique could be by providing condoms at schools to teenagers as a demonstration of consciousness about how to protect the teenagers from early pregnancy or a sexual disease.

In life, high school especially, sexual education is very important and can truly impact a person’s life. Improper education on sex can lead to many life-changing mistakes. These blunders can be avoided with proper knowledge. Although students should be encouraged to remain abstinent, they should still be taught about contraception and practicing safe sex. With proper sexual education, abstinence rates will increase and the numbers of teenage parents will decrease.

Sex education in the United States has many different opinions on the most effective ways of teaching. Social trends, public health concerns, politics and various controversies have all, at different times and in different ways, affected the substance and teaching of sex education (Future of Sex Education). 15 percent of Americans believe abstinence-only sex education should teach only about abstinence and nothing else, however 46 percent believe abstinence and ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies STD’s should also be taught (Future of Sex Education). Abstinence-only sex education programs are ineffective compared to comprehensive sex education programs and are very costly within the government.

Sex education can be traced back to the beginning of the 20th century. “Chicago’s public schools introduced the Nation’s first formal sex education program” which has raised controversy throughout the years. Many believe that talking about sex in the classroom raises the initiation of such behavior. Others believe that ignoring the subject keeps teens in the dark which leads them to make unsafe decisions when they become sexually active. Whether it is at school or at home, teens must be taught about the dangers of unprotected sex as well as abstinence. Being unaware of protection puts teens at risk of becoming pregnant or contracting an STD or STI. Sex education must be taught at school and it must be taught right, without lies or myths and without giving teens the idea that the only perfect time for them to become sexually active is when they are married. If sex education was taught at school instead of abstinence-only education, it would help young adults make correct decisions when becoming sexually active as well as helping them make wise choices that can affect their future.

Students can now access any site on the internet that contains adult content or pornographic materials. That is why sex education should be implemented in schools. It is better for children to be informed earlier because they will still know about it when they grow up as they will be more exposed to it through their peers and the media (Cooper, n.d.). Through sex education, young people are able to communicate, listen, negotiate with others, ask for and identify sources of help and advice when it comes to sexual relationships. Through communication teenagers more confident and know better about the consequences of having sex before marriage.

Sex education is more than just teaching about sexual behaviours, and can be a very beneficial class when taught correctly. Sexual education should begin at home, and parents should be the primary instructors of sex education for their children. However, teachers play a crucial role in a child’s understanding of health and sexuality. Through increased knowledge or resources available, different topics, increased comfort in teaching, and lesson planing skills, the teacher can be set up for a successful teaching environment for sexual education. There are many myths and misconceptions about sex, thus teachers providing accurate information about sex education, can give the children the tools they need to make healthy choices regarding their bodies and sexuality throughout their lives.

Based on recent studies, in today’s society, sex is overrated and a primary form of marketing. Most pre-teens and teenagers learn about sex and sexual activities on social media, beating the classrooms and parents to the “the birds and the bees” talk. The health and family life education course in most secondary schools, just give sample of sex education and not the raw truth. Sex is natural and it is an aspect of life. Everyone must engage in some form of sexual activity at least once or more, in their lifetime. However, educating youths about the sex is required. Sex has many pros as well as cons and students are entitled to learn about it before they engage in sexual acts; which often leads to dishonorable situations.

Sex education is and always has been lacking in our country. An increase in sexual education would be greatly appreciated from almost everybody, especially with how high the sexually transmitted disease rate has raised in the past twenty years. Sex education can be used to teach young people how to have safe sex and show them the scary truths of sex that they are never taught otherwise. To lower STD rates and raise pregnancy awareness in younger people, schools and parents should be teaching children about sex.