Sex Education Is The Process Of Teaching Teenagers

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

Abstinence-only sex education courses do not inform students of the functions and efficacy of contraceptives, as evidenced in a poll of 1,800 young men and women, which showed that “six in 10 underestimated the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.” (Frost, Lindberg, et al.). Unintended pregnancies from lack of understanding of contraceptives is the most prominent impact the current sex education curriculum is having. With the highest proportion of unplanned pregnancies being 98% and belonging to teenagers, the impact the improper sex education has is straightforward (Unintended Pregnancy Prevention). Unplanned teenage pregnancies can inhibit the mother’s ability to continue her education, ostracize her from society, and be a significant financial burden on, not only the mother and her family, but American taxpayers, as “teen childbearing costs . . . between $9.4 and $28 billion a year.” (Negative Impacts of Teen Childbearing). Moreover, contraceptive use, specifically condoms, are crucial in preventing the contraction of sexually transmitted diseases. Due to the fact that “nearly half of the 20 million new cases of STD's each year” are attributed to teens and young adults, the teaching of the methods of contraceptive use are not reaching the standard at which they should be (Adolescent Development and STDs). It is vital to the well-being of the students of America’s public school system that they are instructed with accurate information that will protect them from unintended pregnancies and contracting sexually transmitted

“Teaching only about abstinence is like teaching ‘a driver 's education course in which teachers show students grisly photos of traffic accidents but never tell them to stop at red lights or buckle their seat belts’" (Wagle). Sex education is often a hot topic of debate within the States, where high school teens often receive some form of sexual education. However, the quality of this information varies from state to state and even district to district. Although there are many different definitions, the one being applied here is that abstinence-based curriculum teaches that the only truly effective way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, and other sex related risks is by not having sex. This includes severely limited or no information about contraceptives or ways to lessen the spread of disease. On the other hand, comprehensive sexual education includes information not found in abstinence curriculum and resources about STDs and prevention, various contraceptive methods, healthy relationships and rape, and are inclusive towards queer and trans experiences. Sex ed is an important part of education, and a comprehensive sexual education is critical in both reducing teenage pregnancies and STDs and promoting health and good choices.

“In 2013, a total of 273,105 babies were born to women aged 15-19 years.” (CDC). As these numbers are shocking to many Americans, schools still have not taken the initiative to teach efficient sex education. Although some teenagers are receiving sex education, most are not being taught it in a successful way. Sex education can be explained in two different procedures: comprehensive or abstinence only. The difference between the two is that comprehensive sex education teaches abstinence as a secondary choice, and teens that decide not to wait should be informed on how to use birth control when participating in sexual activity. Comprehensive sex education is a method that should be required in all schools and is the most effective way to keep

Comprehensive sex education programs get support from parents. “Polls show that parents overwhelmingly favor the comprehensive approach” (Rosenberg 67-71). More than 80% of Americans “support teaching comprehensive” and “believe teens should be taught about birth control and preventing pregnancy” (“Comprehensive”). Some people believe that “sex education should be let up to them [parents] to teach” (“California”), but mostly there is an overwhelming amount of support from parents who want comprehensive sex education for their children. With this kind of support, organizations like Advocates for Youth or American Sexual Health Association can help America’s youth understand and make wise choices about their sexual health.

Sexual activity among young people is a matter of serious concern. Parents around the United States are very worried about their children and their loss of innocence when it comes to this subject. Sexual education is an optional program that is taught in some schools to inform the youth about sexual health. Many people are torn when it comes to this topic and feel that sexual education leads to premature sexual activity; where others believe sexual education is extremely beneficial to all students who are involved. Sexual education was previously taught to delay sexual activity, however recently it has been used as a tool to help educate the youth about medically accurate information in hopes to prepare them for their futures. Sexual education is not a federally mandated program, so across the United States some students are receiving information and some are not. Schools offer a safe learning

Comprehensive sexual education has long been a contentious issue within the United States of America. Owing largely to America’s history and culture, sexual education has long been stigmatized as unnecessary involvement in the private life, or even misattributed to rising rates of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. A U.S. review article, however, poses the opposite argument – “The overwhelming weight of evidence reveals that sex education which discusses contraception does not increase sexual activity.” The understanding of sex education not only provides young people with a better understanding of the ways in which their bodies function, but can also help in allowing teenagers to take better care of their sexual health to include pregnancy and STI prevention. Furthermore, sex education improves gender equality, provides accurate information about sexually transmitted infections, and promotes interpersonal skills. Thus, comprehensive sexual education should be introduced and made mandatory in all secondary schools across the United States.

In society, the lack of insufficient sex education for teenagers is a major problem. This ongoing issue has led to the development of a bigger problem such as teen pregnancy, sexual transmitted infection, and emotional problems adolescence have to face when engaging in sexual activity at a young age. According to the Understanding Human Sexuality textbook (2010) sexuality education can occur in many settings such as at home or school, and in personal relationships or from information found on the internet. In this society kids are being introduced to sex at such an early age that it would be beneficial for them to learn about sex education earlier as well, that way they have a lower chance of contracting an STD/STI or having an unwanted

Each year, U.S. teens experience as many as 850,000 pregnancies, and youth under age 25 experience about 9.1 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs). By age 18, 70 percent of U.S. females and 62 percent of U.S. males have initiated vaginal sex (Klein, 2005). Comprehensive/realistic sex education needs to be instilled in schools because it is effective at assisting young people to make healthy decisions about sex and to adopt healthy sexual behaviors and habits. Comprehensive/realistic sex education has a monumental effect on today’s youth, resulting in a rabid drop in teen pregnancies, teen abortion rates, and sexually transmitted infections between teens. Unlike abstinence until marriage programs that have not been shown to help

As a very natural part of our everyday lives and existence as humans, it is perplexing how so many Americans are undereducated about human reproductive systems and sex organs, their structures and functions, and the various effects and consequences of human sexuality. The responsibility of properly educating young people about human sexuality is in the hands of parents and schools. Educational programs in U. S. schools today, such as Abstinence Only and Abstinence Plus programs, may not provide adequate information to teach young people how to make knowledgable decisions in real-life situations about sex. Comprehensive Sexuality Education programs have been shown to be much more effective at preventing teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STI 's; SEICUS). As it is an extremely broad topic, “Sexuality education is a life-long process of acquiring information and forming attitudes, beliefs, and values” (SEICUS). However, the acquisition of fundamental knowledge, credible information, and appropriate health resources can help in this life-long process and minimize unwanted or negative effects.

In a sexual education class, students learn about a natural part of life. Sexual education helps students prepare and think more carefully about a part of life. As a teenager learns about sexual education it encourages them to reduce sexual activities. “Students who reported being sexually active, 39 percent reported that they did not use a condom at last sexual intercourse, and 77 percent reported that they did not use birth control pills or depo-provera. Among teen couples who do not use any method of contraception, 85-90% will experience a pregnancy within one year (Bridges).” Many people believe sexual education leads students in the wrong direction such as, increasing pregnancy rates and encouraging sexual activities. Sexual education teaches students about the use of condoms and birth control. Providing Sexual education in schools is a valuable and positive resource for students.

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 education also known as high quality teaching and/or learning about various sex topics relating to sex and sexual activities should be taught by schools. Schools teaching adolescents not only allow them to have a more depth understand of the topic, but allow adolescents to explore different values, aspects, and beliefs about the topic. Schools teaching sexual education allow children to learn, while gaining specific skills that are manage their own sexual health, relationships and life style. Intercourse is a natural part of life, with or with out sexual education in school individuals may engage in it. Even if an adolescent isn’t engaging in sexual behaviors, contraceptives, anatomy, and sexual topics should be discussed. Instead of children not having any knowledge of the topic and explore on their own, the school system should be responsible in making sure adolescents have a understanding of these topics. Despite sexual education being taught in our school systems, although 47% of high school students have engaged in sexual intercourse rates of sexual behavior have been slightly declining since 1991 (Dolgin, 2001). Schools teach sexual education in various ways through comprehensive which explores various topics including safe sex and contraceptives (Dolgin, 2001). Also rather than encouraging adolescents to engage in sexual behaviors schools teach abstinence which deter teens from having sex Dolgin, 2001).

Are you afraid of becoming pregnant, catching a sexually transmitted disease (STD), or even both? This is where educators can make a difference and help out not only the community but the younger generations to come. 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. Over time, however, one thing has remained consistent: public support for sex education. The most recent national polls show that 93 percent of Americans support “sex or sexuality courses being taught” in high school and 84 percent support such instruction in junior high. (“History of Sex Education”). Sex education should be better funded in schools to reduce teen pregnancy, raise the high school graduate rate, and to help prevent spreading STD’s.

In today’s day and age, teenagers are sexually active even though may not be mentally, emotionally, or financially prepared for the consequences of their actions. Students who are uneducated on sex and what it entails, need to know about the risks and health disparites it can cause. According to Amy S. Hedman PH.D, a professor at Minnesota State University, and author of American Journal of Health Studies claims that, sexually transmitted diseases are one of the most common consequences of unprotected sex and one in four high school students have a STD. (Hedman). It is crucial that students are provided with the opportunity to learn information regarding prevention and detection of STD’s. Not only can the lack of sex education lead to the progression of diseases, pregnancy can occur just as easily. After obtaining research on sex education the African News Service claims that, “Absence of comprehensive sex education has resulted in teen pregnancy”