The Controversy Of Sex Education

In our society today, there are many different views and opinions about sex education in schools, and sex education in general. Some say that this topic should be more openly discussed, while others prefer to avoid the topic, or just say abstinence is the most effective. Sex education pertains to the explanation of everything related to sexual orientation, reproduction, development, and abstinence.

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.

This documentary is about Shelby Knox who wants to change the sex education system in Lubbox. Lubbox is a town that has the highest teen pregnancy and STI rates in the country. Lubbox teaches abstinence only sex education which is clearly not working. Shelby tried to convince the school and others to teach kids a comprehensive sex education.

Since the first sex education video, "Human Growth" was shown in public schools in the 1940's, sex education in school has remained a controversial subject (Bellafante 9.1). In the present however, it is no longer disputed whether or not sex-ed should be taught, but what should be taught in a sex education program. Conservatives and Liberals both agree that sex education in public schools is important but, their views on what should be taught differ dramatically. Despite the various monikers to describe different sex education programs and curricula, there are really only two types: abstinence-until-marriage and comprehensive (Sex Education Programs: Definitions & Point-by-Point

According to Roemer and Paxman, there are laws and regulations regarding sex education that inhibit children from being exposed to sexuality. I believe the idea of shielding children from sexuality is not based on evidence, and may really be dangerous. There are several studies researching how children are affected through early introduction. Unfortunately, practically all of those findings focus on abuse situations, making it difficult to make assumptions about non-abuse situations. From some of these papers, I 'd like to argue that shielding children of any age is actually harmful. It perpetuates the shame of sexuality being an inappropriate and unspoken topic. In my opinion, it takes from young children the ability to discuss sexual topics. I think parents, educators, and others should allow young children to become aware of sexuality. Instead of enabling browser filters on computers, we should treat sexuality the same way we treat action and violence. Maybe children should be allowed to guide their own growth, and help them deal with it, where necessary. I feel with more liberty though, additional direction will be needed.

Several reasons have been put forward for the various and often opposing approaches to sex education. For example, Paechter (2004) proposes that

This is a familiar story that far too many young people go through every day. If she would have received more education about sex and pregnancy prevention, would this story have had a different outcome? We will never know, but can educate other young girls to prevent them from following in her footsteps. To accomplish this, we must incorporate comprehensive sex education into our school’s curriculum nationwide; that way the largest population of students possible is reached to ensure that they will have accurate information about protection and pregnancy prevention.

To further understand sex issues facing adolescents today; let’s take a general look on what issues are being taught in schools. 69% of schools say there is a policy on sex education. The Alan Guttmacher Institute, which is a nonprofit organization that is focused on sexual reproductive health research, policy and analysis on public education, studied sex education today and compared it to a decade ago. 23% of schools in 2000 taught abstinence-only education, which was up 2% from 1988. The study also found that classes today are less likely to talk about birth control, abortion, obtaining and using contraception, ad sexual orientation, compared to the late 1980’s (The Alan Guttmacher Institute). The Henry J. Kaiser Foundation put together a survey asking students what was being taught in their sex education class. The Henry J. Kaiser Foundation is a major philanthropy foundation that focuses mainly on major health care issues facing the nation. The survey questioned 1,501 students nationwide and asked them questions concerning several topics. First, they asked what is considered to be “core elements” of sex

Sexual education is first and foremost related to sex and sexuality issues. So in order to better understand the case of sexual education, it is important to review the development of the concepts sex and sexuality within the social sciences and humanities.

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

There are many problems with having sex education in public schools. Religion plays an important part to the topic of sex education. Some parents feel that if the school gets to speak to their children about sex before they do, than important things about

When it comes to the subject of teaching sexual education you must take into consideration of the method of what is taught. The methods of teaching are, abstinence only and comprehensive. While abstinence only focuses on abstinence from sexual behavior and does not include any method of contraceptive. As for comprehensive informs students about contraceptives, sexual transmitted diseases as well as the option for abstinence. Many states have different laws and regulations as to what method they can teach as well as single sex teaching. Meaning the separation of sex education for boys and girls. Comprehensive is similar to an open door were as abstinence only is a one way street no option to derail.

Sex, it is seemly the main focus in American society. In fact, 95% of Americans have sex before marriage, (Lawrence 3). It is all over television, in books, and frankly, all over the internet. Whether it is wanted it or not, it is only natural that American youth are so curious about sex. So why are school systems leaving students in the dark about what they hear about or see every single day? Is it not the job of school corporations to educate the children? Schools need to implement sex education courses to give medically accurate information, educate them about smart sexual decisions, and to prevent these young adults from engaging in sexual activity as early.

Controversy is rampant regarding the sexual education of grade school children. Some insist that it is prudent to educate children on this subject beginning as early as kindergarten. Others strongly disagree that earlier education has any effect at all on teen sex and pregnancy and, therefore, abstinence should be the focus. Lastly, we have those who believe advocating abstinence is appropriate, but agree that a more in depth sexual education is also necessary for those who are going to have sex anyway despite our best efforts to teach them otherwise.