The Importance Of Comprehensive Sex Education In Public Schools

There is a strong need for greater access to current and evidence-based sex education in American public schools. Concurrent with access to information and education about human sexuality, schools should also be offering students safe, anonymous ways of receiving condoms. Condoms are crucial for preventing unwanted pregnancy: and it can easily be said that all teen pregnancies in the United States will be classified as unwanted. Moreover, condoms will prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. When they are used properly, condoms can become lifesavers. However, adolescents are often woefully ignorant about when and how to use condoms. Few adolescents in the United States have ready access to condoms, either at home or in schools. Because of the general prudishness embedded in Bible Belt America, states like Georgia must take a strong stance on the issue. Georgia should follow suit with states like Massachusetts, who have implemented successful condom distribution programs in their schools.

The US teen pregnancy rate is at 72.2%, which is larger than any rate in Western European countries. Sex education can solve the problem that we see, and possibly lower that rate. It can benefit kids by informing them about everything involving sex instead of sheltering them from the truth. Abstinence-only education is the other option that is typically used, but creating a program to cover everything and not exclude some children who have different beliefs is the overall goal. This program should be offered for all students as a mandatory course because of the amount of information that is to be gained by teaching about sex, relationships, protection, STD’s, and sexual orientation.

The U.S. has the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancies of any industrialized nation that put young teenagers at risks. It is estimate that 20,000 new cases of sexually transmitted diseases reported each year comes from people under the age of 25 and 82 percent of all teen pregnancies are accidents that account for one-fifth of all unintended pregnancies annually (CDC 2006). As a result, the government needs to stop funding and promoting abstinence only programs and start focusing on comprehensive sex education. Comprehensive sexuality education according to Sexuality Information and Education Council of the US (SIECUS) provides a complete message by teaching age appropriate and medically accurate information

Sexuality is an intrinsic part of being a human being. Hence, it follows that as we grow sexual development is normal and for most a point of curiosity. In an age where even a curious five year old could ask the internet where babies come from instead of asking their parents, it is becoming increasingly evident sexual education is a necessity for the sexual health of America’s youth. Sexual education is an important class that should be integrated into the public school system in order to prevent the problems of teen pregnancy and STDs such as HIV. The CDC reports that in 2015 about 230,000 babies were born to teen girls aged 15-19 and that nearly half of the 20 million new STD cases reported in 2015 were among young adults between the ages

This is crucial considering the STD rates amongst teenagers. Roughly half of the new STD cases are solely teenagers (aged 15-24) in low-income areas (Kirby, 145). Along with the fear of STDs, which are still becoming more common, teenage pregnancy rates are also a major fear that seems to promote the abstinence only education. The United States is among the highest teenage pregnancy rates in comparison to European nations who implement a comprehensive sexual education system (Stanger-Hall et al.,

Texas is reputable for implementing abstinence only sex education. About 60% of public schools only teach this curriculum (Howell). This leaves thousands of students of various ages with an altered view of sex and insufficient information on safe sex practice and contraception. This program has also proved itself ineffective because Texas ranks fifth highest nationally in teen birth rates with 41 births per 1,000 women (Howell). 4 out of 5 adolescent pregnancies are unintended” (Gelfond, 597).Abstinence only programs have failed because they do not prevent or even educate students about safe sex practices, contraception, and Texas still remains in the forerunner for highest rates of STDs and teen pregnancy.

In the United States, many teens are uneducated about sex because it is a very taboo subject.

“While the teen birth rate is declining nationwide, that isn't the case for conservative states such as Mississippi, in which 55 out of every 1,000 teen girls gives birth. Compare that to New Hampshire, which offers comprehensive, medically accurate sex-ed: just 16 births out of every 1,000 teens” (Rudulph). In America, teens are often encouraged to postpone sex until marriage in place of being taught about sexual intercourse and the need for change is evident. Although the teen pregnancy rates have continuously been dropping each year, many states, such as Mississippi, teach abstinence in place of sex-education. As a result, students have no information on STDs and have no idea how to practice safe sex. While encouraging abstinence is not

According to the Department of Health and Human Services in 2014, 76% of US public and private high schools taught students abstinence as the most effective method to avoid pregnancy, HIV, and other STDs (American 1). In ¾ of US high schools, just saying “no” remains getting taught as the most effective way to avoid pregnancy and STDs. Abstinence programs are not effective in delaying pregnancy and STDs. If the way this program continues to be taught remains so ineffective, schools need to discontinue teaching this subject that way. If students do not know how to use a condom or how to get on birth control, teens are at an increased risk of STDs. STDs, sexually transmitted diseases, are an extremely serious issue. While some STDs, like herpes, can be cured with treatment, other STDs, like HIV, can turn into a bigger problem and lead to death. If teenagers get educated about how dangerous, and disgusting, these STDs can be, adolescents will avoid STDs at all

Teenage pregnancy rates are higher in American than they are in most other industrialized countries. This is a direct cause of the prominence of abstinence-only-before-marriage (commonly known as abstinence-only) education in United States schools. Besides teen pregnancy, abstinence-only education does a lot more harm to America’s youth. Even though abstinence-only-before-marriage education in schools promotes abstinence, a comprehensive sex education gives teenagers accurate information, has community support, and is empowering to youth.

Since comprehensive sex education has little funding but a plethora of support, it could be alleviated through advocates spreading awareness through the community through social media and communication to enlighten individuals on the topic. Therefore, developing a potential curriculum could become possible for local school boards to approve. Many supporters of comprehensive sex education believe that it should start from kindergarten until 12th grade. By doing so, instructors can use behavioral goals and age-appropriate language that is understandable and coherent for the respective age group. Also, there is a large amount of time to cover the necessary topics on sexuality, reproduction, sexual organs since this curriculum would occur for nearly thirteen years of the student’s life. As mentioned earlier, the state and school board direct the type

If you could choose between a teacher teaching you about sex or your parents who would you choose? Now unless you have a weird relaionship with your parents or your not weirded out by your parents talking about sex then you probibliy would prefer to be taght by a teacher. In the public school system, it is pretty common for districts to teach a sex education class. These typically take place between 5th and 8th grades, though sometimes earlier and sometimes later. Some districts take a different approach, teaching a form of sex-ed to every grade, with corresponding age appropriate material. For example, a second grade class might learn about what to do if an adult is touching them inappropriately, while a high school class may learn how to put on a condom and the variety of birth control options that are available. While teaching sex education is seen as a good idea by most, there are some who do not approve of it being taught in schools. However, those who do not approve are failing to recognize the numerous benefits of teaching sex-ed to kids.Sex-Ed is a controversial topic, but reason dictates that it is a good idea to teach kids about sex. Sex-Ed is widely taught in U.S. schools – though some people don’t think it should be.Informed ChoicesThe fact is that a classroom is the only place that some kids will be offered accurate information about sex. Many parents make the mistake of not talking to their kids about sex, thinking it makes them less likely that they will

home rather than school, students are spending the majority of their day in classrooms with peers

Every year in the United States an estimated 19 million people will become infected with a sexually transmitted infection (STD Trends), one in six women and one in thirty-three men will become the victim of sexual assault (Sexual Violence). 9.2% of children in 2010 were the victim of a sexual crime (Child Sexual Abuse) and 229,715 babies in 2015 were born to teenage mothers (Teen Pregnancy) The national epidemic of sexual infections, sexual assault and underage mothers is on the rise in the United States, leaving parents and professionals alike scrambling for answers about why this is happening and how to keep people safe and healthy. There is evidence to believe that the problems the country is facing are starting as early as elementary school. Children in America are not all receiving a form of sexual education, or they are not receiving the same information as their peers (Blackman, Scotti, Heller). In the United States there is currently no requirement to teach sexual education and there are exceedingly few mandates about what should be covered (Blackman, Scotti, Heller). The United States congress must implement and rigorously enforce a mandated and standardized sexual education curriculum in all public schools throughout K-12 education because there is no current system, it will teach children about healthy relationships, and it has been proven to raise the age teenagers begin having sex and lowers pregnancy rates.

Do you expect to be taught correct information in schools? Though it may be the expectation, that is not the case in 30 states when it comes to sex education. Despite the many contracting political views, religious views, or any other barrier involved in teaching sex education, there needs to be a standard set across all school to teach medically accurate information to students in order to ensure safety.