The Importance Of Sexual Education In The Classroom

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.

Barr et al. (2014) study reported in the study that sexual education taught only by the teachers would be effective in preventing teen pregnancy. The teachers would have to be competent, skillful and content on the subject of sex with the student. The National Teacher Preparation Standards for Sexuality Education is an unexpected effort but with years to come the program will become active (Barr et al., 2014). The results of the study indicated that by letting teachers teach teens about sex education decreased teenage pregnancy (Barr et al.,

The role of educating students about the importance of healthy sexual relationships has fallen hard and fast on public schools. School aged boys and girls are not receiving information from their parents on what decisions they should make in regards to sex. Parents are finding this topic of conversation too taboo to breach and as a result, students are getting what little information they are receiving from school. Less then half of school aged adolescents talk to their parents about sex and abstinence (Smith, 2005).

Comprehensive sexuality education has always been a focal point of the debate across the United States. Any topics related to sexuality education would make tremendous amount of people feel embarrassed and uncomfortable because sex education is fallaciously perceived as a stigma of the society on an increase rate of unintended pregnancy, the outbreak of sexual transmitted diseases, and other social ethical issues. From a U.S. review, however, “the overwhelming weight of evidence shows that sex education that discusses contraception does not increase sexual activity.” The understanding of sex education not only covers simply a part in reproduction, or how babies are conceived and born but also helps the teenager to have some basis understanding of virtually every aspect of sex by the time he or she reaches full maturity, and more importantly, it encourages confidence and improves communication skills, the social issues surrounding sexuality and reproduction as well as cultural norms, family

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

Often, sexual education can go against an individual's moral or religious beliefs. Many schools do not teach abstinence only but teach safe sex, whereas many religious groups and families do not value intercourse before marriage. Teachers may input their own beliefs or morals into the subject matter rather than stick with the facts if they are not properly trained on how to conduct a sex education course. Sex education classes are briefly focused on during a health class or physical education. This is not a long enough period to educate students on such serious material. These arguments does not take into account the fact that students will be taught on subjects such as, sexually transmitted diseases, the reproductive system, sexually and birthing issues rather than the stuff they learn through peers, television or the internet. Many of the myths learned by students about sex swill also are discussed, such as not being able to get pregnant the first time. Classes for those of a younger group are separated by gender, saving embarrassment amongst students and teachers. Teaching sex education can have a major impact on preventing unplanned pregnancy and other sexual problems in adulthood.

“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.

Sexual educational programs in school cover a verity of information to guide student and gain knowledge about the topic. In the mid-20th century schools through The United States introduce lectures to students form middle school through junior college. The lectures can be focus on comprehensive topics or in specific topics depending on the child’s age. According to the article Sex Education from Issues & Controversies the subjects included “the physical processes of human reproduction; the workings of male and female sex organs; the origin, dissemination, and effects of venereal disease; family roles and structures; and the emotional and psychological causes and consequences of sex, marriage, and parenting”. In addition, to lecturers teachers

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

Sex education is quite a controversial topic in the world of education today. The act of informing young adults about sexual orientation, sexual health, sexual reproduction and the safety precautions in order to stay safe are all things that these young adults should know, but the problem is, who should have to teach them such a controversial topic? Should parents have to overcome the uneasy and uncomfortable feelings they face when mentioning such a topic to their children, or should the responsibility of such a task be confronted by well educated individuals in the school setting? The importance of highlighting the issue of sexual education being a mandatory course necessary for young adults only grows as the pregnancy rate continues increasing, and the age of young adults facing this issue decreases.

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.

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.

“Sex education in not just about sex. It includes other sensitive issues like sexual health, sexual reproduction, sexuality and others that parents often feel uncomfortable talking with their children”(Sex Education in Schools Pros and Cons). Sex education does not start when someone is sexual active, but mostly in Elementry School when the students have no idea what the teacher is saying. However, in today’s world sex is all around from movie posters to magazines. Perhaps teaching children how to protect themselves early is not a poor idea. In addition, too many parents live in denial that their children are not having sex, this leads to children not being educated on safe sex. Sex education in public schools has been an ongoing debate

According to Rhiannon Lucy, “Sex education is a process that begins at birth and continues until the day you die. It is a process of building a strong foundation for sexual health”. There are many misconceptions and non-factual opinions that accompany along the topic of sexual education, even though it may constantly discussed. Sex may includes sexual development, reproduction, intimacy, gender roles and relationships. At home parents may be nervous when discussing this particular topic, in order to reduce the mental thought of their child eventually becoming sexually active. Therefore, comprehensive sex education should be taught in many or all schools around the world. The youth of today would not be able to make educated

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.