Argumentative Essay: The Purpose Of Sex Education

What is realistic is the sex education of all students which includes topics such as: contraceptives, abstinence, sexual orientation, STD awareness and prevention, building healthy relationships, and where to find help for specific situations students may be going through. Sex education offers a variety of information to students, and it could affect students globally. Starting out teaching children at a young age the “birds and the bees” may prepare them for when they get themselves into those situations, and also prevent certain outcomes. Programs regarding sex education tend to focus solely on positivity, which means no one is left out or different in class. There are many benefits of sex education, which is one of the main reasons all schools, or almost all schools, should have a program regarding sex. Research shows that abstinence-only education has no long-term method of preventing sex in young adults. It has also showed that sex education has benefited kids, teaching them what they want based on their beliefs of their family and themselves. Teaching students what to do based on themselves instead of what society sees as morally correct, can overall benefit young adults positively. Whether that might be showing the student where to go if issues arise, teaching them the correct way to deal with a situation, or showing them that abstinence or not is right for

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.

However, controversy arises when the discussion as to what the proper method of teaching sexual education should be. In the school system of the United States sex education is taught in two main forms: abstinence-only sex education, which focuses on abstaining from sexual activity prior to marriage and does not provide contraceptive knowledge, and comprehensive sex education, which focuses on sexual health as a whole including knowledge about contraceptives and how to avoid STDs. Currently the only federally funded programs implemented in public schools are abstinence-only. But does Abstinence-only sex education work? In order to provide an answer this paper will discuss the basic principles and practices which constitute abstinence-only sex education, the proponents argument for abstinence-only sex education and how abstinence-only education affects teen pregnancy and STD

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

Adolescence can be a very confusing and difficult time for many teens because they are pushed out of childhood and into adulthood. The push for the use of comprehensive sex education programs is causing the rates of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to increase. By providing teens with a comprehensive sex education program that can not only confuse them about their sexuality, but also lead them to engage in sex before they are mentally ready, is extremely harmful. Because abstinence is the only sure way to prevent the spread of STDs and stop unwanted pregnancies among adolescents, it should be the only curriculum taught to them.

An alarming rate of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Pregnancy among teenagers has been an ongoing concern and could be linked to the lack of sex education in schools. Statistics show that 3 in 10 teenagers are becoming pregnant every year, and 1 in four teenagers are contracting sexually transmitted infections. There are numerous opposing views towards the teaching of comprehensive sex education in school districts. Many people are opposed to this because they believe that it encourages premarital sexual promiscuity in young adults, is destructive to religious belief, and is inappropriate and harmful. “Comprehensive Sex Education Is Inappropriate and Harmful” is and article that provides concrete evidence, for example, it states in the article that “Teens enrolled in these classes are given false information about how pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases can be avoided and may actually be encouraged to engage in activities that could lead to sexual intercourse” which is quite the contrary. My personal view is that as a nation we should be teaching students comprehensive sex education also known as abstinence plus, because it will better educate students and save money. Comprehensive sex education stresses the importance of abstinence, but also provides important information for the prevention of STI’s and unplanned pregnancies. I believe this needs to be taught in schools because I come from a school that taught abstinence only and nothing more, and the number of

Sexuality is one of the most powerful and universal forces for human-kind. Whether before or after marriage, everyone engages in it at one point in their lives. Unlike calculus, sex education is something you are going to use in the future. When I took a class survey, most of you either agreed or strongly agreed that sex education was important for teens to learn about. However, many people in America, specifically parents, believe that sex education should not be taught in schools and boycott any measures to educate teens. These people have led me to create this speech. I am up here today to persuade the audience that a fundamental lack of comprehensive sex education can lead misinformation, teen pregnancies, and negative views about sex.

Sex education in the United States has many different opinions on the most effective ways of teaching. Social trends, public health concerns, politics and various controversies have all, at different times and in different ways, affected the substance and teaching of sex education (Future of Sex Education). 15 percent of Americans believe abstinence-only sex education should teach only about abstinence and nothing else, however 46 percent believe abstinence and ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies STD’s should also be taught (Future of Sex Education). Abstinence-only sex education programs are ineffective compared to comprehensive sex education programs and are very costly within the government.

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

Research-based evaluation of comprehensive programs show that they are just as effective (if not more so) than abstinence-only programs at reducing the age at which sexual activity first occurs, reducing the frequency of sexual activity and number of sexual partners, as well as increasing the use of condoms and contraceptives among adolescents (Advocates for Youth). Researchers at the National Survey of Family Growth found that students who received comprehensive sexuality education were 50 percent less likely to become pregnant than those who received abstinence-only education. Additionally, these studies showed that those who received abstinence-only education were not any more or less likely to abstain from sex until marriage than other students; in at least 13 states, abstinence-only programs were proven to have shown no changes in sexual behavior over time. In addition, public polls routinely report that over 80 percent of Americans citizens would vote in favor of offering comprehensive sex education in high schools, middle schools, and junior high schools; in one such poll, 70 percent of participants opposed abstinence-only programs receiving government funding and 85 percent believed adolescents should learn about birth control and other forms of contraceptives and pregnancy prevention in school (Advocates

Secondly, when sexual education is taught in schools there are fewer health consequences. Teenagers are curious and thus, will not understand the effects that sex can have emotionally, physically and psychologically. Teen pregnancy is a disquieting reality for many teens. Not surprisingly, as pregnancy has a large impact on adults, but how much more so for naive teenagers? Sexual education empowers teens by providing them with solutions to epidemics such as teen pregnancy. In fact, pregnancy rates decrease when teenagers are being taught comprehensive sexual education. According to SIECUS.org, “comprehensive sex education [is] associated with a 50% lower risk of teen pregnancy”. This is because sexual education programs teach about contraceptives and birth controls. Some parents do not teach their children about

In the early 1960’s the controversial issue of sex education started to become a more prevalent conversation among educators and parents alike when the Food and Drug Administration approved the sale of oral contraceptives(Szustek, 2009). Though the topic was previously being discussed as early as mid to late 19th century, it was not deemed completely necessary or an appropriate topic for school aged children prior to this point. In the United States more than 750,000 girls between the ages of 15-19 experience unexpected pregnancies annually and another 19 million of all newly reported Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) cases are young adults between the ages of 15-25(Boonstra, 2013). The argument of whether or not sex education should be taught to students is moot since according to a recent survey by National Public Radio about 93% of adults believe sex education is needed (Anonymous, 2004). The more pressing issue is the content in which is to be presented to students. There are conflicting groups that argue the validity of the methods used to convey the importance of the apparently sensitive subject; one side of the divide are the supporters of abstinence only education which presents a very singular approach and on the other is those that believe in the importance of comprehensive sex education which explores a variety methods of sexual safety.

Comprehensive sexual education informs students to make healthy choices regarding their health. Many students who receive an comprehensive sex education “were 50% less likely to experience pregnancy than those who received abstinence-only education” (“Comprehensive”). The majority of