Should All Schools Adopt More Sex Education?

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.

Sex education has been a hot debate topic for decades with people coming down on all sides of the argument. Should schools have sex ed, which is a class or session that educates kids on sexually transmitted diseases, birth control and the risk of pregnancy? Should they instead focus on abstinence from sexual intercourse instead of education on making teenage intercourse safe? Which is right? Both? Neither? Well, according to many worldwide studies, sex ed isn’t as effective as many would hope. This is especially true in the case of traditional sex education and how it relates to teen pregnancy numbers.

Did you know that 24 states in the US require their public schools to teach sex education and HIV education to their students (NCL.org)? Do they even need to understand sex or STDs? Well of course not. That’s why schools should not even teach these students sex because it’s just going to be too much for the high school students’ young mind, sex education will definitely motivate the students to have sex—regardless of their sexuality--, and it’s up to their not so busy parents to explain sex—and all its glory—to their children who are attending high school.

The first argument made by those who are against schools teaching sexual education to their children state that the school has no right to teach their children about sex. Those parents argue that they can educate their child themselves about the dangers of sex. Parents fear what the schools are teaching their child, and fear that they will become “more accepting of sexual behavior” (Lenth). Another fear is that the classes will make students believe that all teens have sex, peer pressuring them into having

A subject that is talked about a lot in today’s society is whether or not kids should receive sex education in public schools. With rates of teen pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases on the rise, it is essential that school aged adolescents receive appropriate sex education courses. Though many parents across the nation believe that it is crucial to curriculum, how much they should be taught and what exactly should be taught is up for dispute. Articles such as “Abstinence and Abstinence-only Education: A Review of U.S. policies and Programs” written by John Santelli, Mary A. Ott, Maureen Lyon, Jennifer Rogers, Daniel Summers and Rebecca Schleifer and “The Impact of Abstinence and Comprehensive Sex and STD/HIV Education Programs on Adolescent Sexual Behavior” Douglas B. Kirby analyze the two types of sex education in the U.S. and their effectiveness on teens. In “Abstinence and Abstinence-only Education: A Review of U.S. policies and Programs” Santelli et al. claims that even though sex education programs that only offer abstinence-only instruction are ethically flawed, abstinence from sexual activity is efficient behavioral choice for teenagers to make. In order to support their claim, the authors focus on the federal government’s involvement on funding for these abstinence programs and the censorship of the information that they portray. In “The Impact of Abstinence and Comprehensive Sex and STD/HIV Education Programs on Adolescent Sexual Behavior,”

Comprehensive sex education should be taught in public schools because people need to know about their bodies, how to protect themselves during intercourse, and it is the best way to educate teens about sex.

“Educators feel apprehensive or unsure in tackling the topics of sex, sexuality, and sexual health. They feel very overawed about where to start or disorderly about what to teach and when to teach it.” (plannedparenthood.org) However, the sex education classes are not for the teachers or the parents; but instead for the children. Adults should not hide behind the bias that states sexual education classes are inappropriate because the objective of the class is to prevent not promote.. Young people should obtain applicable health information to cultivate useful techniques for preserving a flourished lifestyle. Mentors have a duty to not only assist students, but families as well by providing ethical and wide-ranging information in secure and open-minded surroundings so that teenagers can absorb the concept of sexuality in a fit and positive setting.

Sex Ed should be a main course kids in Junior High and High School should take. If a teacher teaches Sex Ed then they are properly taught how to teach the course. If a parent tries to explain it then they could give false information and just put things into their kids heads. Classes would be separated by gender, so kids could feel more comfortable and open to talking about things. According to assortment.com appropriate Sex Ed can impact sexual problems in adulthood. Sex is briefly taught in health class, but it isn't long enough to talk about it. Having a class to just discuss that topic would help a lot. It may not be very appealing to some, but after they would be less tempted to go out and have sex.

This has been a debate since the 19th century, some oppose the teachings of sexual education, stating that schools should not infringe on parental and church guidance. Some also argue, that teaching adolescents about sex, encourage children to venture into sexual activity. While not teaching sexual education at all in schools is one argument, the other is, abstinence should be taught to our adolescents. Some believe that the current teaching is " We know you're going to have sex, so here's how to put a condom on." These individuals argue, sexual education should be the teaching of saving yourself for adulthood or

When it comes to having the “the talk” with children, who would be the appropriate persons to do so? Some parents would rather that sex be taught at school. As long as it’s in a safe environment of course (Sex education should be mandatory in all schools). Meanwhile more than fifty percent of parents do not think it is appropriate for it to be taught at school (Sex Education Should Not Be Taught in Schools). Those who are more than fifty percent of parents would like to be the one who has the talk with their child.

The policy issue that I chose to write about is Sex Education in the classroom. Almost all student in the USA receive some type of sex education between the grades 7th and 12th. Sometime even as early as 4th grade.

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.

“If the Liberals' law is passed, will sex education in the schools, including elementary grades, include the same portrayals of sexual activity which presently exist in heterosexual instruction? Will there be the same presentation of homosexual activity? Of course there will.”

If schools had sex education classes and made them mandatory then they would actually learn about sex and sexuality like they are suppose to. “Sex education teaches them about their bodies, informs them of the risks of having sex, and teaches them about safe sex” (Blick). Learning about sex in school would be less uncomfortable for the student, because it would feel like a normal class they have to take, instead of a one on one talk with their parents, who makes it worse than it is since they do not know how to talk about it. Letting the school teach about sex and sexuality would take the pressure off of the parents, and they wouldn’t have to struggle thinking of something to tell their child. Sex education in school would be a sure way to be certain that students learn about everything they need to know.

Firstly, what is Sex education? It is an explanation about bodily development, sexuality and relationships. Also, it teaches young people how to make good decisions when engaged in sexual intercourse. This is extremely important, as it can help prevent issues such as teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases from spreading. Some might argue that sex education shouldn’t even be discussed on whether it should be in schools or not, but that it is a right for students to know. There are numerous benefits to a person’s education as a result of sexual education. Some include: Communicating about sexuality and sexual health, autonomy of one’s body, and even as much as protecting a student's’ academic success. The CDC reports that people who engaged in health-risking activities were more likely to score lower on examinations than those who did not. Teenage pregnancies can lead as far as absenteeism or even dropping out.