Everyone has an opinion about sexuality education. Whether its being aggressively debated by the overly annoying vocal parents at PTA meetings, to the state governors whose job is to figure out whether to apply for federal funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs or comprehensive sexuality programs, both, or possibly neither. The argument between supporters of comprehensive sexuality education programs and abstinence-only-until-marriage programs is being fought from either an ethical standpoint or a realistic standpoint. The social construct of truth wasn't made to skate around and so I'll just get straight to the point. Your kids are having sex, and if they're not they’re thinking about it, so do your job and help them be as prepared and safe as possible. Make it a federally implemented law to teach kids in high school comprehensive sexuality education.
Comprehensive Sexual Education, according to the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education from the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) “Should be appropriate to the age, developmental level, and cultural background of students and respect the diversity of values and beliefs represented in the community. Comprehensive school-based sexuality education complements and augments the sexuality education children receive from their families, religious and community groups, and healthcare professionals.” (American Bar, 3)Teaching Comprehensive sex ed. isn't about giving out contraception and telling students to go have a blast, that's far from the case actually. According to the United Nations Population Fund, Comprehensive sex ed. Includes information about human development, anatomy and reproductive health, as well as information about contraception, childbirth and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.But it also goes beyond information, helping young people to explore and nurture positive values regarding their sexual and reproductive health.This education includes discussions about family life, relationships, culture and gender roles, and also addresses human rights, gender equality, and threats such as discrimination and sexual abuse.
Taken together, these programs help young people develop self-esteem and life skills that encourage critical thinking, clear communication, responsible decision-making and respectful behavior. Wanting your child to be safe and comfortable in their decision making is something all parents should strive for. Yet, how can you expect teenagers to make sensible and responsible decisions if they aren't given the proper information needed for such decisions? If you expect teenagers to start acting like adults when teaching high school why won't you treat them like adults? Is it so wrong that teens have a basic understanding of their own anatomy, or even have basic knowledge of different sexualities and genders?
So many teens lack basic knowledge of such important information and it's going to hurt them in the long run at one point or another. Furthermore, comprehensive sexuality education should be science-based and medically accurate.
Supporters of abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, on the other hand, strive to create an environment in which young people are prepared and able to remain abstinent because they believe that abstinence is the only completely effective form of birth control and the only way to completely avoid the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). (Abstinence is only effective if used consistently and correctly; “abstinent” teens have a comparatively high STD infection rate). However, Abstinent-only-until-marriage programs often includes inaccurate medical information and exaggerated statistics regarding STDs, including HIV; suggests that STDs are an inevitable result of premarital sexual behavior. And usually omits controversial topics such as abortion, masturbation,and sexual orientation. Very important topics that should be taught to students, especially high schoolers.
Abstinence only until marriage education just isn't effective.
