Should Sex Education Be Taught? Abstinence Only 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.

In 1913, sex education became a topic that was found to be an important education tool. Since then, this form of education has been a hot and debatable topic among many Americans. The original reason for sex education classes was to reduce problems such as sexually transmitted illnesses and prostitution. In recent years, abstinence has become the focus of sex education curriculum. Abstinence means refraining from sex completely. Although, it is the only one-hundred percent way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies, abstinence-only instruction should not be the only form of sex education taught. Our youth need to know about all aspects of sex. This intails how to protect them if they choose to become sexually

“The United States ranks first among developed nations in rates of both teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases” (Stanger-Hall, Hall, “Abstinence-Only Education and Teen Pregnancy Rates”). According to several studies, this is mainly due to the fact that numerous states teach abstinence-only education, which usually does not include material on contraception, STIs, nor pregnancy. The alternative to abstinence-only education is referred to as comprehensive sex-education, where the practice of abstinence is promoted, but students are additionally taught about contraception, STIs, pregnancy prevention, and interpersonal skills. Despite the beneficial results of this alternative, abstinence-only education is still taught all over the

The classes proved information about contraceptives, STDs and HIV prevention. It also is age appropriate and scientifically explained. Collins says it well that “by denying teens the full range of information regarding human sexuality, abstinence-only education fails to provide young people with the information they need to protect their health and well being.” Students when asked survey by the Kasier Family Foundation said that they knew more and felt better prepared to handle different situations. Abstinence only education just chooses to avoid it and does not take into account students who decide a different path. Abstinence only education supports say that by teaching the “abstinence-plus” education that they are sending mixed messages towards students. Current advocates for comprehensive education cite that “providing teens with contraceptive information does not encourage early sexual activity.” The Surgeon General David Satcher had said that based off of the information he had derived from both approaches “evidence gives strong support to the conclusion that providing information about contraception does not increase adolescent sexual activity….[it only] increased condom and contraceptive uses among adolescents who were sexually active.” (Collins 9)Most evaluations of many different types of

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

Studies show that teenagers who’ve had sex later regret it. Abstinence only education should be the only education taught in schools instead of comprehensive education. The most popular ways of teaching about sex are abstinence teachings and comprehensive education. Abstinence education is a better option than comprehensive because it is the only effective way to avoid pregnancy, protects against sexually transmitted diseases, and proves the partner is interested for more than sex; comprehensive education teaches that there is a way for safe sex if students choose that path but teenage sex should not be an option. “…encouraging teens to just say no to sex may be the most effective at delaying early sexual activity”

When I was in the eighth grade, I remember attending a sex education course. At the young impressionable age of fourteen, I listened quietly as the lecturer showed us grotesque pictures of sexually transmitted infections and warned us that abstinence was the only effective way to not get pregnant. At the end of lecture, everyone at the assembly was handed a little card that read, “Virginity Pledge” and we were all required to sign them. Looking back on this memory, I am appalled by the severe lack of scientific foundation of the lecture, the use of misinterpreted statistics, and the use of peer pressure in requiring students to sign pledge cards. Many students my age probably have a similar experience with this type of sex education, which is referred to as abstinence-only sex education. Students deserve a better sex education than what the abstinence-only sex education programs provide. Abstinence-only sex education should be removed from all U.S. schools and replaced with comprehensive sexuality education.

The teaching of abstinence to students can cause them to change their mind about having sex. Yes there are ways to have safe sex, but condoms do not always prevent adolescence form contracting Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Over the past several decades multiple sexual education programs have been introduce into the nation’s school systems, but they do not appear to be working consistently (Quincy). Since my ninth grade year of high school each and every year more and more girls were turning up pregnant. Some of them are even pregnant with their second child; it is not because they are careless but because of lack of

Abstinence only education consists of teaching students that not having sex prevents pregnancy, STDs, and HIV. That adolescences should resist the compulsion to have sex until the person is capable to handle the responsibility of having sex. Studies have taken place to see the effectiveness of abstinence only sex education. This study was conducted on 662 African American students that were in 6th and 7th grade. They researchers chose African American students because in the United States HIV is most prevalent in black adolescences. These African American students are from low income communities in the northeastern part of America. This experiment was extremely organized on how the instructors were supposed to teach the students, all the way down to the games that were played with the students. However, the study did not expose sex in a disapproving way. Instead the information on sex was merely untouched. Students could make up their own beliefs on sex, they were only taught that abstinence was the best policy to live by. Before the classes started the students took a survey so that the researchers would have a baseline for their data. Procedures were taken to ensure that the students answered all questions honestly. After the classes were given to the students, two years later there was a follow up survey given to the students. The results of the survey were very

Anyone who wishes to pass on information to another person, similar to the work that teachers do, will always delve into the information they feel is most important, but what is truly important can be perceived in many different ways. The safety issues that arise with abstinence only education are numerous. Young adults will not know anything about the action itself let alone the precautionary steps that every person should take before engaging in intercourse. It is almost impossible for teens to know the countless risks that threaten them when a condom is not in play. As well they have no idea how permanent a lot of those risks are. In abstinence only education it can only be hoped that they have heard something about sexually transmitted diseases, or pregnancy rates in relation to sexual activity and if they have this almost always would be very surface level information. With this situation being setup young teens, who will no doubt face their sexual urges during a very dynamic time in their bodily development, will then go in blind and act on impulse rather than accompanying their urges with cautious thought. Sex education

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.

Sex is considered a private thing not to be discussed in this day and age. However, with the age that people start having consensual sex getting younger and younger each day. There is clearly a need to have a straight dialogue with young people of each new generation about sex, the dangers, and repercussions of having sex before marriage. The type of sex education we are proposing is a comprehensive sex education. In this paper we will outline the best way we found to incorporate a comprehensive sexual abstinence education into your school, what is it, and why we think it’s important to have a secure sex education program.

+ Sex is important. Every human life is the result of someone having sex. So why has sex education become such a controversy? The entirety of the issue seems to fit under a cloud of scandal, because almost every topic is slightly taboo. Sex education however, is vital and absolutely necessary for a student’s comprehensive education. Students, parents, and teachers begin to hit roadblocks when human dignity and social inequalities begin to cause issues and misconceptions about sex education. When one is informed about what sex education really is, the issues within sex education that need to be faced, and how communication can create more solutions, the understanding of how sex education should be handled will naturally increase. The difficult and controversial topic of sex education is inundated with complicated issues, however with the help of increased education and communication, more solutions can be found for our most challenging problems.

Sex education also known as high quality teaching and/or learning about various sex topics relating to sex and sexual activities should be taught by schools. Schools teaching adolescents not only allow them to have a more depth understand of the topic, but allow adolescents to explore different values, aspects, and beliefs about the topic. Schools teaching sexual education allow children to learn, while gaining specific skills that are manage their own sexual health, relationships and life style. Intercourse is a natural part of life, with or with out sexual education in school individuals may engage in it. Even if an adolescent isn’t engaging in sexual behaviors, contraceptives, anatomy, and sexual topics should be discussed. Instead of children not having any knowledge of the topic and explore on their own, the school system should be responsible in making sure adolescents have a understanding of these topics. Despite sexual education being taught in our school systems, although 47% of high school students have engaged in sexual intercourse rates of sexual behavior have been slightly declining since 1991 (Dolgin, 2001). Schools teach sexual education in various ways through comprehensive which explores various topics including safe sex and contraceptives (Dolgin, 2001). Also rather than encouraging adolescents to engage in sexual behaviors schools teach abstinence which deter teens from having sex Dolgin, 2001).

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.