A lot of controversy and debate surround whether sex education should be included in the school curriculum or not. Although many oppose it, with reasons such as the students feeling embarrassed or excitable; because of religious or moral beliefs (“Pros and Cons”); because sex education would seem like pornography; or because it will just further encourage young people to have sex, statistics show that there are more advantages than disadvantages to teaching young people about sex.
For one, there would be no need for students to feel embarrassed because the classes are exclusive to each gender and so the students are only taught what they need to know (Parker). With the proper way of teaching, it can also become just like any other class -- such as Biology and Human Anatomy -- where the students are graded based on test scores, and which would be considered part of their graduation requirements. This would in turn make the students see the sex education class from a more objective perspective. With sex education, the students will be able to learn about things such as contraception and sexually transmitted diseases the proper way and not just from the streets. In the same manner, sex education can dispel wrong notions about sex such as the notion that a girl cannot get pregnant the first time.
Studies have shown that many teenagers have actively engaged in sex before sex education was included in the class curriculum (Parker) and that its inclusion in the class curriculum has helped students abstain or act responsibly if they choose to be sexually active. As well, sex education can have an impact on the prevention of sex-related problems in adulthood.
A study conducted by Hamilton and Ventura showed that there was a 9%-decrease in the U.S, teen birth rate from 2009 to 2010 where it reached a historic low of 34.3 births for every 1,000 women from the ages of 15 to 19. Much of this can be attributed to the strong messages about pregnancy prevention that are directed towards teenagers. According to the CDC’s (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) NCHS (National Center for Health and Statistics), this may in turn be partly attributed to the increase in the use of contraception when sex is first initiated, as well as in the use of dual contraceptive methods (i.e.., hormonal methods and condoms) among male and female teenagers who are sexually active (Hamilton Ventura). However, despite these declines, statistics show that the United States still has one of the highest teen birth rates among the industrialized countries (Hamilton and Ventura). About 2,000 teen girls in the U.S. get pregnant everyday and three out of ten girls will get pregnant at least once by the time they reach the age of 20 (The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, “How Do You Stay Teen?”). This then further stresses the need for sex education.
While some parents are against sex education being a part of the school curriculum, polls showed that only 7% of the population was not in favor while 93% showed to be in favor (“Pros and Cons”). Similarly, a survey conducted by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy (“With One Voce”) showed that both teens and adults greatly valued opportunities that would allow them to learn more about sex and that they would find such information helpful. In particular, the survey showed that teens and adults considered their parents to be most influential in their decisions about sex and that most of them would find it easier to postpone sexual activity and avoid getting pregnant if they were able to have more honest and open conversations about these topics with their parents (The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, “With One Voice”). Although 38% of the teens and 41% of the adults considered their parents to be most influential and only 4% of the teens and 3% of the adults indicated their teachers or educators to be most influential (The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, “With One Voice”), sex education can still be valuable, considering that most teens and young adults spend majority of their time in school. In the same regard, most of the teens and adults expressed that they wished they were getting more information about both contraception and abstinence. In addition, the survey respondents indicated that those in opposition of abortion should support birth control (The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, “With One Voice”).
Although most of the respondents indicated that they had all of the information they needed to avoid unplanned pregnancy, more than half of the respondents in the 12-14 age group and a third of the respondents in the 15-19 age group indicated that they knew little about the male condom and how it was used (The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, “With One Voice”). Moreover, among those who have had sexual intercourse, majority indicated that they wished they had waited longer (The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, “With One Voice”).
The writer interviewed two friends who both agreed that the inclusion of sex education in the school curriculum would be beneficial. They both indicated that this is necessary to avoid unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. They both reasoned that teens are going to engage in sexual activities anyway even if they are told not to, so they might as well be taught about the proper way of doing it. One of the interviewees was a mother and she indicated that although she would still teach her children about sex, she would still prefer it if sex was also taught in schools as kids spend most of their time in school where the parents can’t watch over them. She also said that some parents are uncomfortable about talking about sex with their children and so sex education would be helpful. She indicated, though, that sex should be taught without malice and added that most young people see sex as malicious because talking about it at home is considered taboo. She further said that she’d rather have her children learn about sex at school rather than from their peers who won’t know much either.
When asked whether this comes into conflict with their religious beliefs, they replied that institutions like the church should keep up with the times and that we should now be more practical and open-minded. They said that by being aware of the pros and cons of having sex, the kids will become more capable of making decisions for themselves.
The interviewees’ opinions about the matter supported and affirmed the writer’s stand. This then strengthens the writer’s belief that with modern times should come more advanced and open ways of thinking on how to do things better, which would in turn foster a better society.
Works Cited
Hamilton Brady E. and Ventura, Stephanie J. “Birth rates for U.S. Teenagers Reach Historic
Lows for All Age and Ethnic Groups. NCHS Data Brief 89 (2012). Hyattsville, MD:
National Center for Health Statistics.
Parker, Alison Mia. “Sex Education in Schools Pros and Cons.” youniversitytv.com.
YouUniversityTV, 22 April 2011. Web. 10 Jun 2012
< http://www.youniversitytv.com/news-edgy/5279-sex-education-in-schools-pros-and-
cons>.
“Pros and Cons Of Sex Education In School.” Essortment.com. Demand Media, 2011. Web. 10
June 2012 < http://www.essortment.com/pros-cons-sex-education-school-39312.html>.
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. “How Do You Stay Teen?”
stayteen.org. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, 2012.
Web. 10 June 2012 < http://www.stayteen.org/how-do-you-stay-teen>.
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. “With One Voice 2012:
Highlights from a Survey of Teens and Adults about Teen Pregnancy and Related
Issues.” Briefly (May 2012). Web. 10 Jun 2012 < http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/ resources/pdf/briefly-wov-2012-highlights.pdf>.
