59 Controversy Analysis 1 – “Sex Education in Schools”
Lauren Buben
Sex Education in Schools
There is a lack of sex education in schools across the nation. This has caused great controversy over whether sex education has proven effective or if it should even be a part of a child’s education curriculum in school. Sex education teaches kids what sex is, how to protect themselves, and what can come from having sex. Children today can be confused as to how to have safe sex and keep themselves healthy. One argument states that teenagers must be taught sex education in schools to eliminate the negative stigma of sex and to keep themselves safe and healthy. People supporting this argument claim that kids are not getting proper sex education in school. The other side claims that sex education encourages sexual activity or that parents should be the ones to teach their children about sex. To understand why there is so much controversy over sex education in schools, one should learn the history of sex education in schools.
Sex education was not originally set in place to teach people about how to have sex or prevent pregnancy, but rather to eliminate sexually transmitted diseases and infections, prostitution, masturbation, and to save oneself for marriage. This strategy highly discouraged sexual activity. Then, in the 1960s, the implementation of sex education in schools began to receive support. Later, in the 1980s, debates started to arise regarding if schools should be more descriptive in the education provided, “including information about contraception — and abstinence only programs” (Planned Parenthood). This separated schools into two different types of sex education: comprehensive and abstinence-only. The newer, comprehensive version of sex education provided medically accurate information, while abstinence-only education taught from moral standards put upon students. In 1990, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) released guidelines and standards for proper sex education. Since the release of these guidelines, more schools have implemented non-abstinence-only education programs. Today, studies show that “a comprehensive approach to sex education promotes sexual health among young people by reducing sexual risk-taking behavior. The abstinence-only approach has not shown these results” (Planned Parenthood). Sex education has evolved immensely since the 20th century.
Sex education is quality instruction and learning on a wide range of topics relating to sex and sexuality; it also involves discussing principles and attitudes about those topics and acquiring the skills required to handle relationships and manage one’s own sexual wellbeing. (Planned Parenthood). In 1975, the World Health Organization released a definition of sexual health. This states that “Sexual health is the integration of the somatic, emotional, intellectual, and social aspects of sexual being, in ways that are positively enriching and that enhance personality, communication, and love” (Planned Parenthood). This helped to trigger the beginning of comprehensive sex education. Soon after this was published, some schools began to teach their students about living a healthy sex life.
Some individuals that believe abstinence-only education is the best form of sex education. Many people that share this viewpoint also agree with the fact that parents should teach their own children about sex. Many people, “particularly parents and religious groups, take issue with comprehensive sex ed because they believe it goes against their cultural or religious values, and think that it can have a corrupting influence on kids” (Farrar). This argument assumes that comprehensive, detailed programs could encourage kids to engage in sexual activities.
The other standpoint in the sex education debate holds that comprehensive and accurate sex education that gives a total understanding of sex and sexuality will keep kids healthy and aware. People who support this viewpoint have provided evidence that comprehensive sexual education can “reduce teen pregnancies, delay when teens become sexually active and reduce the number of sexual partners teens have” (Farrar). Today, many individuals that support this viewpoint share the idea that sex education should include information about LGBTQ+ sex, abortion, consent, and gender identity. In modern society, this standpoint is heavily supported. Proponents of this standpoint strongly disagree with abstinence-only education and claim that it leaves children clueless as to how to have safe sex and keep themselves healthy.
There are many advantages and disadvantages to abstinence-only education. Abstinence is the most effective contraception. Abstinence-only education is put in effect mostly to encourage children to follow good morals. Instead of overwhelming kids with options for safe sex, “Abstinence education proponents seek consistency when it comes to an adolescent’s health and well-being” (“Abstinence Education”). However, this type of education fails to provide enough information for kids to make proper decisions about sex. Religion is an unavoidable aspect when talking about sex education. Many people agree that “teaching chastity in the classroom for moral reasons is a violation of the separation of church and state” (“Abstinence Education”). The greatest complaint of abstinence-only education is that it is simply unrealistic. To expect every kid to save themselves until marriage is not probable. According to the National Survey of Family Growth from 2006 to 2008, 13% of teenagers have had sex with another person by the age of 15, and a higher majority of people initiating intercourse in their late adolescent years (“Abstinence Education”). Abstinence-only education might have some benefits, but it also has many problems.
Comprehensive sex education also provides numerous advantages and disadvantages for children. Comprehensive sex education provides real, accurate information for students to make their own decisions about their sex life and teaches kids to become comfortable with their own bodies. This approach primarily focuses on sexual health and how to keep oneself healthy. According to David Mandigo, “Many sex-ed programs include discussion of various types of contraception including condoms used to prevent STDs and offer lower pregnancy risks” (Mandigo). It delivers reduced teen pregnancy rates because it also educates kids about both male and female contraceptives. On the other hand, comprehensive sex education can be seen as an attack on someone’s religious beliefs. Often, sex education “goes against an individual’s morals and beliefs. Also, most schools do not teach ‘abstinence’. Instead, they focus on having safe intercourse, which many religions and family values object before marriage” (Mandigo). Finally, in many cases, the people that teach sex education are not qualified to do so. It is not uncommon to find physical education teachers assigned to teach their students sex education. The best people to teach sex education are nurses and doctors. Overall, comprehensive sex education has many advantages and disadvantages, especially regarding the religious beliefs of students.
The lack of proper sexual education in schools has caused lots of controversy attempting to figure out which approach to sex education is effective or if sex education should even be a part of school curriculum. In the past, sex education discouraged sex before marriage and was mostly to teach about keeping oneself healthy. One side of the argument claims that sex education is morally wrong and that it should be expected that children wait until marriage to have sex. The other viewpoint states that teenagers must be taught proper sex education in order to keep themselves healthy and to explore their options. The support for comprehensive sex education is much higher than the support for abstinence-only education. This controversy has been an issue in America for hundreds of years and will surely continue into the future.
Works Cited
“Abstinence Education: Weighing Pros and Cons.” Education.com, 18 Jan. 2012, https://www.education.com/magazine/article/abstinence-education-pros-cons/.
Farrar, Lauren. “Sex Education in America: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: KQED Education.” KQED, 16 Sept. 2020, https://www.kqed.org/education/534518/sex-education-in-america-the-good-the-ba d-the-ugly.
Mandigo, David. “IDOSR Journals | the Best in Academic Journal Publication.” International Digital Organization for Scientific Research , 2020, https://idosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IDOSR-JAS-51-42-45-2020.-UN.pdf.
Planned Parenthood. “History of Sex Education in the U.S.” Planned Parenthood, Nov. 2016, https://www.plannedparenthood.org/uploads/filer_public/da/67/da67fd5d-631d-438 a-85e8-a446d90fd1e3/20170209_sexed_d04_1.pdf.
