The Importance Of Sexual Education

It only takes a glance at a tv, a billboard, or a magazine to observe a recurring theme: sex sells. In our increasingly hypersexual nation, sex may sell, but it is certainly not taught. This is prevalent in the fact that US has both the highest amount of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases than any other first world country (Malone and Rodriguez 2). Because of this, there is now a greater concern in both how sexual education is being distributed and taught in the United States, and how that has lead to these issues. For a portion of our history, not only was abstinence-only education heavily encouraged by society, it was also heavily funded by the government. In recent years, this extra funding has ceased to exist, allowing

Human nature has shaped and developed many different social norms in our society, however, they also create many social problems when conflicting views come under scrutinization. Sexual education in America has been problematic since the late 1900’s because there is simply a lack of it. Sexual education has transformed over a hundred years, abated by the effect of religious upbringings and conservative outlooks. However, as evolved as it is today, it is still a national issue because of the ongoing struggle of comprehensive sexual education against abstinence, and in the midst of the two, students are still not being exposed to proper sexual health.

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

As sexually-transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy numbers increase, arguments regarding sexual education classes being taught in high school have been continuously debated: Does abstinence-only sexual education classes work, or do they encourage students to become sexually active? Sexual education in high school has never really been as analyzed as much as it has been over the past decade due to the rise in sexual nature of the world today. Teenagers are exposed to the work of becoming a parent and the embarrassment of diseases through various types of media without explanation of prevention and actual consequence, such as the show 16 & Pregnant. Because of the constant display of the reprimands of unsafe sex, teenagers

Author Bob Smith once said, “In America, when we decide to ignore a subject, our favorite form of denial is to teach it incompetently. Familiarity without true understanding is not only the basis of our families but of our educational system as well.” Smith refers to the inadequate sexual education of teenagers in the United States. Sexual education is the instruction on issues about bodily development, sex, sexuality, and relationships. Comprehensive sex education teaches about abstinence, condoms, and contraceptives to avoid sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unplanned pregnancies. As well as, the skills needed to help young people explore their own values and options. Comprehensive sexual education should be taught in the United

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.

An observation of the prevalent television programs and popular topics broadcasted in the media often depict teenagers with an air of promiscuity. Is teenage pregnancy really an uncontrolled epidemic, as depicted in shows such as “16 and Pregnant”? Are a vast majority of teenagers exchanging racy photos of their bodies with each other? If so, are teenagers acting out because of too much sex education? Or is the outbreak of hyper-sexualized activity linked to lack of formal knowledge regarding sex? These are valid questions when contemplating the teaching of sex in public high schools across the United States. Sex education should be incorporated into the public school’s curriculum because it would dismiss the myths that continue to circulate, may address the embarrassing questions thought of by many, and holds the teen more responsible for their choices.

The condoms display in the Hidden Heroes: the Genius of Everyday Things exhibit is a showcase that would cause an individual to wonder about adolescents’ overall knowledge of human sexuality. In today’s society, children are susceptible to learning about such a delicate topic not only from their families and peers, but through the media as well. These sources often provide misrepresentations of the information due to ignorance and biased views. Therefore, in order to inform individuals more accurately, sex education programs have been created with the intention to be implemented into schools across the country. This has led up to being one of the most controversial issues hovering over educational institutions, where the inclusion of such programs has been hotly debated. However, recently, the dispute is not so much about whether sex education should be taught in schools, but rather what content should be taught and what approach should be taken.

In our culture, sex is a taboo subject and our youth is an example of the effects of sexual ignorance. Sexual education in schools is often responded with apprehension from parents because the line between sexual education and lechery can easily be crossed, especially with minors. Sexual education is sex education about sexuality, contraception, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, and attitudes and principles about sex. Currently, the United States has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy and abortion compared to other western countries. Interestingly, the United States has the weakest sexual education curriculum compared to developed European countries. On the same note, cases of rape are staggering in the US, a result of sexual misinformation about consent. Teenage misinformation about sex is on the rise due to the increasing accessibility of inappropriate sources for sexual education that distort sexual behavior, like pornography. A sexual education class can help dispel myths surrounding sex. Therefore, the underlying question is – should sexual education be required in public schools, without the option to opt-out? Sexual education should be obligatory rather than optional in schools because schools are a safer and reliable source for sex information, sexual education can reduce teen pregnancy, and it can protect children and educate teenagers about proper practices and social views regarding consent and child sexual abuse.

“Does sex education encourage sex? Many parents are afraid that talking about sex with their teenagers will be taken as permission for the teen to have sex. Nothing could be further from the truth. If anything, the more children learn about sexuality from talking with their parents and teachers and reading accurate books, the less they feel compelled to find out for themselves” (Spock 62).

Sexual education in the classroom has been a topic of controversy for years. Outside influences, such as increases in media and television exposure to children and adolescents cause an overwhelming exposure to sex. As a result, sexual education, like most school subjects, is far too important to be left in the hands of parents alone; teachers must educate students on the importance of sexual behaviours. Sexual education serves an important part of the classroom curriculum requiring proper education on individual sexuality, safety, and morals to students.

Sexual education in public schools has been a controversial topic for many years in the United States. Sexual education began in the 1920s, it was inspired by sexual education programs in the military. These programs were mainly based on religion they stressed the usage of abstinence and frowned upon masturbation (Cornblatt). Over the years sexual education has evolved and now covers topics such as contraceptives, sexually transmitted diseases, healthy relationships, and parenthood. While the topics covered may have changed on thing that has remained the same is the opposition to sexual education in schools. Many people believe that sexual education is a personal topic and should be taught by the students guardian at their own discretion. However, sexual education should be taught in schools because it educates teens on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and decreases the amount of sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies.

Many states in the Unites States require that public schools teach some form of sex education. Sex education is a broad topic that covers many things including human sexuality, reproductive health, safe sex, birth control, and abstinence, etc. There are primarily two forms of sex education that are taught. The first of the two is an abstinence-only program, where schools teach their students not to have sexual relations with others outside of marriage; they also do not teach about safe sex or birth control. The other form of sex education that is taught is comprehensive sex education. Schools where comprehensive sex education is taught teach their students about the importance of sexual abstinence, but also teach about proper use of birth control. There are many people who have different opinions on what kind of sex education should be taught; and the best way to teach it in public schools.

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.

Coinciding with the onslaught of the new millennium, schools are beginning to realize that the parents are not doing their job when it comes to sexual education. The school system already has classes on sexual education; these classes are based mainly on human anatomy. Most schools do not teach their students about relationships, morals, respect, self-discipline, self-respect, and most importantly contraceptives. Everyday students engage in sexual activity, many of them with out condoms. This simple act jeopardizes these students' futures and possibly their lives. An increasing amount of school systems are starting to combine messages involving abstinence from sexual activity,