In schools across the country, abstinence-only is being taught in sexual education classes. Abstinence-only programs aren't realistic, they're ineffective, and honestly cause more harm than they do good. Instead, we should be teaching comprehensive sex education classes. And here are some things that should be taught and talked about in those classes:
1. Consent: We need to teach children what the definition of consent is—that yes means yes—and how to know when someone is giving consent, and when someone isn't.
2. Sexual Assault: We need to draw a clear line of what sexual assault is—so that they can know what's OK, and what isn't. So children aren't wondering if what someone did to them was rape or not.
3. How to put on a condom: Because we're teaching abstinence-only, teens aren't learning how to put a condom on, and it's a vital role in preventing pregnancies. If they aren't taught how to put a condom on, they're going to just do without. So along with pregnancies, STIs and HIV will be spread.
4. What a healthy relationship looks like: If we taught what a healthy relationship looked like, there would be less abuse and violence. Men and women would know warning signs in their relationships, and would know to leave or ask for help.
5. Sexual orientation: We need to talk about gender and sexual orientation, about the different kinds and how to better understand and support the people that identify as such.
Teaching comprehensive sex education will not encourage teens to start having sex at an earlier age or encourage the number of sexual partners they'll have. Instead, it gives them the information and resources that they need to make good decisions. And abstinence is still an option, but it's not the only option.
