The United States has come a long way in terms of sex education. In the past 30 years, sex education in schools has gone from being non-existent, to a state mandated requirement. States in the northern and western United States have gone as far as discussing all forms of contraceptives with students, as well as educating them on various types of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and the various options when faced with pregnancy. However, in the Southern and Midwestern United States, the conversation about sex and contraceptives is still not up to par. States need to require in depth teaching of sex education in order to protect and provide students with the knowledge they need to have a healthy and safe sex life. State governments need to provide schools with a thorough list of topics that are required to be taught in a sex education class.

Although the Obama administration has encouraged thorough sex education, the teaching of it is an issue mostly left up to each state’s discretion. Ideal sex education would include various kinds of contraceptives and birth controls beyond abstinence as well as information and prevention of sexual transmitted diseases. Today, many schools fail to educate students on sexual health and many that do only teach abstinence. To diminish national problems such as teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted illnesses, schools need to enforce a system of extensive sex education.

In 28 states, sex education is not required at all. In the required states, many only ask that abstinence be taught. Abstinence is, of course, refraining completely from sex. While it is an effective form of birth control, it is not the only way to prevent unwanted pregnancy and STIs. Without knowledge of the other forms of contraceptives, students often find themselves breaking their vow of abstinence. It is not surprising that the states where abstinence is taught as the only form of birth control usually have the highest rates of teen pregnancy and STIs among adolescents. Stanger-Hall and Hall cover all the statistics of teenage pregnancy in their article “Abstinence-Only Education and Teen Pregnancy Rates: Why We Need Comprehensive Sex Education in the U.S.”

In 2012, Mississippi had the highest rate of teen pregnancies in the country. Coincidentally, the state does not require schools to teach sex education and if the schools decide to, they are mandated to be strict in teaching that abstinence is the only form of birth control. The states with the second, third, and fourth highest rate of teenage pregnancies all have similar policies on their teaching of sex education and contraceptives. With the facts to face, there is no logical reason that these states should be allowed to continuing being so slack in regards to sex education. The teaching of abstinence only birth control has done nothing to stop the teenage pregnancy rates. The state with the lowest rate of teenage pregnancy is New Hampshire. Knowing that the states that lack thorough sex education have proven to be ineffective, it is hardly a coincidence that New Hampshire requires schools to teach sex education in middle school and high school with classes about STIs and multiple types of contraceptives. Thorough sex education has proven to contribute to decreasing rates of teenage pregnancy and needs to be enforced better throughout the country. Well-educated students have a better chance of leading a healthy sexual lifestyle.

The subject of sexual transmitted infections is an uncomfortable subject to talk about, but it is necessary in providing the right precautions for Americans. The American Social Health Administration (ASHA) is an organization dedicated to the prevention of STIs. The president of the association, Peggy Clarke says, “Whether we like it or not, young people are being sexually active at earlier ages—without the knowledge, preparation, and skills to protect themselves.” Clarke means that despite the want that many parents have to shelter their children from sexual activity, most teenagers are engaging in it anyways. Teachers cannot control their children’s sex lives, but at the very least they can make sure they are healthy. Many states and right wing groups that shy away or disapprove of sex education do not realize that by not informing students of the diseases that unprotected sex puts them at risk. Not teaching them the ways they can protect themselves is just letting infections flourish.

STIs and unwanted teenage pregnancies flourish especially in states where sex education is either not required or is not comprehensive. To counteract the rate of teenage pregnancies and STIs, the United States government should require sex education to be a part of every school’s curriculum throughout the nation, as well as providing states with a list of topics that must be taught to students by the time they reach their first year of high school. Whether the schools decide to make it it’s own separate course or include it in all health class is up to their discretion. Taking these steps would mean protecting the sexual health of students everywhere. However, a law that requires schools to teach all-inclusive sex education would most likely be met with some opposition.

While it seems as though the statistics about sexual health speak for themselves, many are still not convinced. Some parents believe that keeping sex education away from students will discourage them from engaging in the activity. Stanger-Hall and Hall write “Some argue that sex education covers safe sexual practices, such as condom use, sends a mixed message to students and promotes sexual activity.” Like the quote says, there are adults who believe that an abstinence-only method of sex education will be enough to keep students from participating in sexual intercourse. Many argue that is inappropriate to expose students to sex, especially in a school setting. In that sense, they find it to be unnecessary and detrimental for students to be knowledgeable on various forms of contraceptives, STIs, and all the other consequences of unprotected sex.

The knowledge of sex education gives students the key they need to be sexually healthy and happy during the years they need it most, and into adulthood. A thorough explanation of contraceptives, STIs, and consent is necessary in the growth of America’s next generation. Although the opposing sides argue that sex education promotes promiscuity, the fact of the matter is that teenagers that are not educated on contraceptives or STIs are more prone to teenage pregnancy and infection. Students go to school to gain the keys they need to have a successful future. Their sexual health is a part of that because if they are not educated on how to be safe and protect themselves, a mistake they make could end up jeopardizing their entire future. School is a place where students learn to make their own choices and grow. Depriving students the knowledge of sexual health makes it more difficult for them to make wise choices amongst peers. Taking that source of knowledge from students puts themselves, their future, and any partners they decide to have, in danger. If they value the health of the children in their care, states need to require that schools throughout America provide an all-inclusive sex education system to all students by the time that they reach high school.