...Sexual Education in Public Schools: The Need for Change There is a crisis in the United States with teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease levels increasing. Research and public opinion have aligned in support of the pressing need for comprehensive and effective sex education for young people in United States Public Schools (Bleakly, Hennesy, & Fishbein, 2006). Around 8.5 thousand American teens become pregnant each year with over 9 million teenagers experiencing a sexually transmitted infection (Klein & Committee on Adolescence, 2005). By the time most American teenagers complete high school at age 18, 70% of females and 62% of males have experienced intercourse. While sex education might ideally take place in the home, these numbers suggest that sexuality is either not being discussed at all or is not being addressed adequately. Comprehensive sexual education, which includes abstinence and birth control methods, is considered a fundamental human right for American public school students. Current abstinence-only programs are unacceptable and should be replaced with more accurate and inclusive information immediately. For decades, the United States government has spent billions of dollars on an abstinence-only sexual education programs (SIECUS, 2004). This curriculum inhibited teachers from teaching birth control methods or even answering direct questions about how these methods worked. Research has identified several highly effective sex education programs that have...
Words: 1250 - Pages: 5
...Jonathan Stokes 1 Jonathan Stokes English 155 Instructor Caramess May 18, 2012 Comprehensive Sex Education vrs. Single Sex Education There have been many debates and changes made throughout history on the subject of Sex Education in school. Now a day's there are many forms of sex education. Two main forms of sex education being debated on are Comprehensive and single sex. Dates of when sex education was first taught in school date back as early as the 1830’s. However sex education didn't really get noticed or take a dramatic affect in scholls till the 1900's. In 1913, Chicago became the first major city to implement sex ed for high schools. During the 1920's school finally began adding sex education to their curriculums. "To prevent the immense evils of self-pollution, therefore, in our boys and students ... They should always subsist on a plain, simple, unstimulating, vegetable, and water diet; and care should be taken that they do not eat too fast, and are not excessive, in quantity. They should never be kept too long a time in a sitting, confined, or inactive Jonathan Stokes 2 posture. They should never sleep on feathers." —Sylvester Graham, Lectures on Chastity (Cornblatt 1) (1834) Upon further investigation into my topic i have found several key dates and facts. one fact was that during the 1930's the U.S. Office of Education started publishing articles and training teachers. also during the 40's and 50's colleges began adding courses on Human...
Words: 455 - Pages: 2
...Andre Ferguson English 120 September 30, 2014 Argumentative essay Promoting Sexual Education between Doctors, Parents, Schools, and Children as Early as Elementary School The debate over whether or not comprehensive sexual education ought to be schooled in faculties is not any less heated than it absolutely was once it 1st became a recent disputation within the 1960’s. Some argue that it shouldn't be schooled in the slightest degree, in or out of the house. What several area unit unaware of is that sexual education has been a significant ethical perplexity since the year 1892, once the National Education Association passed a resolution citing the necessity for “moral education within the schools” (Cornblatt). This hot-button issue has created notably slow progress over the course of history, mostly as a result of spiritual principles implementing political theory. Today, sexual education is obligatory publicly faculties in twenty two of fifty states within the U.S. as a result of very little advancement created within the administration of sexual education schemes, voters of the U.S. have unnoted a deeper underlying issue – which is, at what stage in adolescence is it necessary and most helpful for this difficult, life-long learning method to begin? Additionally due partially to the slow progress these programs have revamped time, some oldsters have even neglected to the touch upon the difficulty entirely. What’s a lot of, these continued failures to be proactive have...
Words: 2787 - Pages: 12
...English III 12 February 2014 Outline I. Introduction A. Sexual education and abstinence programs seem to be taught nationwide, causing most parents to believe that this affects their children’s decisions regarding sexual activity; however, these programs have not had statistically significant impacts on the rate of sexual abstinence. II. Statics A. Schools 1. 39% of female and 45% of male high school students have had sexual intercourse. 2. Half of the students don’t really pay attention because they’re already having intercourse. 3. No significant changes since Abstinence-only programs started III. Federal Funding 1. 1981, more than 1 billion spent on these programs 2. Some of the funds that are given aren’t correctly monitored 3. 1996 as a welfare reform 4. Spend on programs that haven’t been effectively working for a while IV. Teen pregnancies A. Not mature 1. Not ready to take care of baby 2. Drop out of school 3. Won’t have successful career 4. Too busy with baby if they go to college B. Love & sex 1. Teens don’t take in consideration what consequences are 2. Express feelings in a different way 3. Peer pressure C. Statistics 1. 58% of pregnancies end in abortion 2. Rate of pregnancies is 61.9 out of every 1,000 women 3. Teen rate is 96 out of every 1,000 women V. Abstinence-only vs. Comprehensive sex A. Not working 1. Abstinence only is not consistent 2. Not teaching right way 3. Influence on such...
Words: 305 - Pages: 2
...Abstinence-Only vs. Comprehensive Sex Education Which is the Right Choice? Allysa Lekas English 401 Professor Kramer December 11, 2012 Abstinence-Only vs. Comprehensive Sex Education The appropriate type of sex education that should be taught in United States public schools continues to be a major topic of debate, which is motivated by high teen pregnancy and birth rates in the United States compared to other countries. This debate is centered on whether abstinence-only or comprehensive sex education should be taught in public schools. Some argue that sex education, that covers safe sexual practices, such as condom use, sends a mixed message to students, and actually promotes sexual activity. The United States government used to promote abstinence-only initiatives through the Adolescents Family Life Act. It cost 176 million dollars annually to fund abstinence-only programs. The central message of these programs was to delay sexual activity until marriage, and cannot include information about contraception and condoms (Stranger-Hall & Hall, 2011). It has been proven that abstinence-only education does not have an effect on the birth rates in the United States, but comprehensive sex education has. Teaching students to not only about abstinence, but about contraceptive use and information about sexually transmitted diseases, has decreased the birth rates in the United States as well as the contraction rate of sexually transmitted diseases. Comprehensive sex education...
Words: 3018 - Pages: 13
...Children and Sexual Education Frankie Hellyer Harrison College Children and Sexual Education "A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death”, (S.F.Heart.com, 2012). [Albert Einstein, "Religion and Science", New York Times Magazine, 9 November 1930] In 2000 my first and second grade children arrived home from school with a surprising question for me. I was asked what “69” meant. My response was “the number after 68 and before 70”. That was not the correct answer to the specific question they were asking, yet they were too naive to know any different. I did not feel they were at the appropriate age for a response to that question, but it meant it was time for a small bit of conversation regarding sexual education. Sexual education is opposed by some for religious beliefs, infringement of parental rights, and parental fears of a higher level of sexual promiscuity. Those opposed typically promote abstinence programs, (which have failed our society). Regardless what age a child is, sexual education is a very important topic and I feel it is crucial to start educating about sex now; in the schools; rather than wait for the latter possible unplanned STD, pregnancy, or even the unfortunate act of molestation. Since the beginning of time biblically, our society has been...
Words: 2043 - Pages: 9
...Sex Education in Public Schools "Sex oozes from every pore of the culture and there's not a kid in the world who can avoid it" Charles Krauthammer stated. (Bender) Why should a teen have to avoid the topic of sex? Many teens are taught to believe that sex is wrong until after they are married, but not taught the truth about sex. Sex is a natural biological urge that no piece of paper makes a difference about. What should be different, is how teens are taught about sex. In 1996, the United States government passed a law giving funding to states that offered abstinence-only sex education programs in public schools. Since this time, over half of a billion dollars has been given to states to promote abstinence-only programs. (Brody) After a study of four of the schools with abstinence only programs showed, that teens who had participated in the class were no more likely to hold off on having sex, engaging in oral sex, lower the amount of sexual partners or avoiding sex completely than, a teen that did not attend the class at all. (Trenholm) Comprehensive sexual education programs have helped the rate of sexual transmitted diseases, (STD Surveillance) number of unwanted pregnancies and or abortions decline. Sex education also has been shown to reduce the possibility of sexual violence. (Gorden) Comprehensive sexual education programs promote knowledge about prevention, knowing the symptoms of STDs and where to get tested. In 2009, two years after the...
Words: 1013 - Pages: 5
...English 1303 Abstinence-only: Does it work? Statistics show that “70 percent of US teens have engaged in oral sex…and more than 45 percent have had intercourse at least once.” Today’s future generation has been involved in sexual activities more than ever. The question is, do they know what they are getting themselves into? With the deliberation on what should be taught in a sex education class, many wonder if the abstinence-only programs are working to lower the number of teens that participate in these activities? Paul Weyrich’s article “Abstinence Education Works” and Arthur Caplan’s article “Abstinence-Only Sex Ed Defies Common Sense: Education Policy Spreads Ignorance, Sends Confusing Messages to Teens” both have different viewpoints on abstinence-only sex education. Weyrich claims that having abstinence-only education programs can prevent teen pregnancies and transmissions of sexually transmitted diseases. Research from Texas A&M, show that sex education classes that teach abstinence have significantly lowered sexual activity rates among teens. Studies show that abstinence programs are very beneficial and many ways towards teenagers. The programs teach teens to be safe, prepared, and mature about sex; as well prepare them for when they get married and have sex in the future. Weyrich finishes off strong by restating his main point: the best prevention against STDs and unplanned pregnancies is not having sex before marriage. According to Caplan, STD’s are rapidly...
Words: 910 - Pages: 4
...the Texas Tribune, put his chin in his hand and asked Gov. Rick Perry: "Governor, why does Texas continue with abstinence education programs when they don't seem to be working? In fact, we have the third-highest teen pregnancy rate in the country, among all the states." "Abstinence works," Perry replied, his arms folded and resting on the table be-tween them. Smith tried again – the point of the question, he said, was that abstinence education, by the stats, doesn't exactly seem to be working. It does work, Perry replied; it's the "best form ... to teach our children," he said. "Can you give me a statistic suggesting it works?" Smith asked. I Heart Pants abstinence website "I'm sorry, I'm just going to tell you ... from my own personal life, abstinence works," said Perry, increasingly agitated. "If the point is ... we're going to stand up here and say, 'Y'all go have sex and have the whatever is going on ... and here's the ways to have safe sex' – I'm sorry; call me old-fashioned if you want, but that's not what I'm going to stand up in front of the people in the state of Texas and say, 'That's the way we need to go, and forget about abstinence.'" Of course, neither Smith nor anyone else was asking the governor to "forget about abstinence," but the truth, say advocates for adolescent health, including doctors and educators, is that teaching "abstinence only" has not worked to reduce the high rates of teen pregnancy and births in Texas despite the tens of millions in funding...
Words: 2547 - Pages: 11
...Brown, S. (1997). Sex Education and Abstinence Programs: Why Don't W More? Children and youth services review, 19 (5 -6), 4 55-463. Cavazos-Rehg, P. A., Krauss, M. J., Spitznagel, E. L., Iguchi, M., Schootman, L., . . . Bierut, L. J. (2012). Associations Between Sexuality Educatio Schools and Adolescent Birthrates: A State-Level Longitudinal Mo Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 166 (2), 134. Constantine, N. A. (2008). Converging evidence leaves policy behind: Sex in the United States. Journal of Adolescent Health, 42 (4), 324 -326. Daley, D. (1997). Exclusive purpose: abstinence-only proponents create f entitlement in welfare reform. SIECUS report, 25(4), 3. Eisenberg, M. E., Bernat, D. H., Bearinger, L. H., & Resnick, M. D. (2008). Su comprehensive sexuality education: Perspectives from parents of youth. Jou rnal of Adolescent Health, 42 (4), 352 -359. Hogben, M., Chesson, H., & Aral, S. (2010). Sexuality education policies an transmitted disease rates in the United States of America. Internat journal of STD & AIDS, 21 (4), 293 -297. Irvine, J. M. (2004). Talk about sex: The battles over sex education in the Un Univ of California Pr. Kirby, D., & Scales, P. (1981). An analysis of state guidelines for sex educa instruction in public schools. Family relations , 229-237. Kirby, D. B. (2008). The impact of abstinence and comprehensive sex and education programs on adolescent sexual behavior. Sexuality Rese Social Policy...
Words: 315 - Pages: 2
...provided to teenagers from their high school sexual education programs. Abstinence-only sexual education has caused nationwide debate over the lack of information provided to teenagers about pregnancy, STDs and other harmful consequences that can result after having unprotected sex. The debate can be solved by reducing government funding for abstinence-only education, allowing parents to determine whether or not their children should be taught about safe sex, and introducing a comprehensive education system. Description of Problem The ineffectiveness of abstinence-only education...
Words: 1497 - Pages: 6
...topic Reusable Shopping bags. Condoms in Schools Safe sex Sexually transmitted diseases Abstinence till marriage Condoms Teen pregnancy is high Sexual Behavior Religious communities do not favor condom distribution in high schools. Risk avoidance Comprehensive sexuality education Youth National School Condom Availability Clearinghouse School Faculty – Nurses, Teachers, Counselors Government funds Tax Payers Choices for young ladies Cost-effective True Love Waits Parents' choice 2- Group ideas from refined brainstorm you want to use in outline 3- No Sex Education---------------Abstinence--------------Comprehensive sexuality education Government Funds Religious Groups Safe Sex Tax Payers Sex until marriage Risk Avoidance Inappropriate True Love Waits Choices for young ladies Parents' choice No cost School Faculty Sexually Transmitted Diseases 4- General Purpose: Persuasive Speech of Conviction – 5-9 minutes 5- Specific Purpose Statement: I want my audience to believe the only way to ensure every teen can prevent Sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy through comprehensive sexuality education. WILL USE PICTURES OF STDS, CONDOMS AND PICTURES OF TEEN...
Words: 1570 - Pages: 7
...Failure of Abstinence-Only Programs Sex education is important, but many students finish sex education classes with a distorted view of sexuality and without a good understanding of contraception and safe-sex practices. Instead, children only learn that they should not have sex until they are married. Abstinence-only programs in public schools have become popular because of a law giving millions of dollars to schools that teach the programs. These programs have the good intention of persuading young people to wait until marriage before having sex, but abstinence-only programs are not achieving this goal and are flawed by the distorted and biased perspective that they promote. In 1996, the United States government passed a law giving funding to states that offered abstinence-only programs in public schools. Since this time, over half of a billion dollars has been given to states to promote abstinence-only programs (Brody). To receive the money, schools must agree to follow a set of rules. The rules indicate that a school’s abstinence-only program must have "as its exclusive purpose teaching the social, psychological, and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual activity" ("Impacts"). Students must be taught that they are likely to suffer harmful effects if they have sex before marriage. They also must be taught that the "expected standard" is for school-age children not to engage in sexual activity and for adults to engage in sexual relations only within...
Words: 1238 - Pages: 5
...With education on STD’s our youth will be better equipped to protect themselves from lifelong ailments and unplanned pregnancies. In the articles I read for this assignment I found a fascinating article regarding how many teens are learning about sex from magazines because they have no one else to ask questions to. “Awareness of organizations such as Planned Parenthood was also crucial for STD prevention and detection. The editors were cognizant of the prevalence of STDs in their reading audience, stating in January 1998 that there were three million new cases of STDs among teenagers every year, and that one in four sexually active teenagers would have a STD by the time they were 21. In November 1997, they also made the connection between contraception...
Words: 1245 - Pages: 5
...The state of America’s sex education is monumentally sad, even more so in Texas. Children are taught to be afraid of their bodies and to resent any physical attractions, which can lead to psychological problems later in life. Being taught abstinence and to wait for marriage can be damaging in several ways; it can produce a lack of comfort with one’s own body, it can build a general distaste for relationships, and it can create trust issues Being taught abstinence impresses upon a person that sex is wrong or immoral when it is a natural process that has a multitude of health benefits. People may become uncomfortable in their own skin because of the oppressive methods of abstinence teaching. Many lessons in abstinence say that you should “respect...
Words: 1136 - Pages: 5
