Should Sex Education

Should Sex Education be Taught in School? Quintina Y. Richmond Axia College of University of Phoenix COM 120 Effective Persuasive Writing Christina Gonzalez September 17, 2006

Should Sex Education Should Sex Education be Taught in School?

Today, about half of high school age young people in the United States have had sexual intercourse, and one in four sexually active teens contracts a sexually transmitted disease (STD) every year. Failing to educate young people about prevention can also have life-threatening consequences (Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2001). Sex education in school allows our adolescents to learn accurate information about life enhancing decisions about their sexuality. The Purpose of Sex Education Sex education has two main purposes, to reduce the risk of unwanted or unplanned pregnancy and to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. It also informs young people on how to protect themselves against sexual abuse and how to make good decisions. Even though parents should be the ones teaching their children about sex, some tend to lack the communication skills between parent and child leaving it up to school to educate our adolescents about their sexuality. Unwanted or Unplanned Pregnancy among Teenagers The only way to prevent teen pregnancy is to educate our young people. In the United States today statistics show that one million teens will become pregnant over the next twelve months. Out of those pregnancies ninety-five percent are unintended. About one third will end in abortion; one third will end in spontaneous miscarriage; and one third will continue their pregnancy to term and keep their baby (Strasburger, 2005). Despite recent declines in teenage pregnancy rates, the U.S. has the highest in the developed world (Weiss, 2006). Pregnancy that End up in Adoption or Abortion

Should Sex Education Terminating a pregnancy by abortion or putting a baby up for adoption are options

available for unwanted or unplanned pregnancy. Most women or girls that choose abortion or adoption are not ready to be a parent or cannot afford a baby. Nearly 1.3 million women choose abortion to end their pregnancy each year (Planned Parenthood, 2006). Every 100 teen pregnancy that lead to live births only two or three make a decision for adoption (National Committee for Adoption, 1989). Sexual Transmitted Diseases among our Youth Sexually Transmitted Disease known as STD, remain a major public health challenge in the United States. Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) or Venereal Disease (VD) are other known names. There are at least 25 different types of sexual transmitted diseases. Substantial progress has been made in preventing, diagnosing and treating certain STDs in recent years, CDC estimates that 19 million new infections occur each year, almost half of them among young people ages 15-24 (Weinstock, Berman, & Cates 2004). Some sexually transmitted disease can be treated by medication or a shot. Other STDs that cant be cured, there is treatment to relieve the symptoms. Viral Infections-Chlamydia and AIDS/HIV Chlamydia is the number one sexual transmitted disease in the United States among teenagers and young adults. Chlamydia is a bacteria infection that can easily be cured with antibiotics, but if not treated it can cause serious problems later in life (Hills-Jones, FredrikssonBass, 2005). Women infected with Chlamydia are up to five times more likely to become infected with HIV, if exposed.

Should Sex Education Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS, or Acquired

Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV infection is increasing most rapidly among young people. Half of all new HIV infections in the United States are estimated to occur in teens and young adults age 25 and under. According to the CDC (2005), during 2004 an estimated 2,174 young people received a diagnosis of AIDS (5.1% of the estimated total of 42,514 AIDS diagnoses), and 232 young people with AIDS died. There is no cure or vaccine for HIV/AIDS, however treatments are available that are highly effective. Young adults have the right to receive accurate information to help protect them selves if they choose to be sexually active. Factors Adolescents Use to Make Their Decisions about Their Sexuality Poor or bad decisions have resulted in almost one-half of the youth in this country engaging in problem behaviors (Bogenschneider, Small & Riley, 1990). Knowledge alone is not enough to change behaviors. Adolescents make decisions about whom to be friends with, who to date, whether to have sex, and whether to use alcohol or drugs. Even though, they have the ability to make these decisions they should also have the knowledge of how to tolerate peer pressures to have sex and develop and apply resistance skills. Choices that adolescents make may have life-long consequences therefore we should give them the sufficient information in the beginning to try to prevent any consequences that may arise. Influence Affects According to Adolescents Life Style Risk of STDs and pregnancy are primary influences in the sexual decision-making of older teens (ages 15 to 17). Young teens (ages 12-14) are more likely to cite parents, teachers, and religious advisors as primary influences (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2000).

Should Sex Education Maturing adolescents are exposed to many conflicting messages, such as movies, television

shows, magazines, and advertisements. These messages can confuse them as they learn how to make healthy decisions about sexual behavior. Methods Available for Safe Sex A national teen report confirmed that 83% of female teens and 91% of males used a contraceptive method in the last three months of intercourse (Baber, 2005). Contraceptives come in a variety of safe, convenient, and easy-to-use methods for women and men. Birth control offers choices such as, sterilization, condoms, the patch, IUD, pills, and diaphragm that are available. Birth control can reduce risk of pregnancy and STDs but none of these methods are 100% effective. Some contraceptives have side effects that can often be managed or relieved. Abstinence is a healthy option for young people. It teaches young people the potentially negative consequences of early sexual activity. Some people believe that it is impossible to teach abstinence without confusing young people. Teaching abstinence is successful at delaying the onset of sexual intercourse for some young people. Parent/Child Communication Sex education begins in the home. Most parents support schools in ensuring that young people have important information about sex and sexual health. A national study published in 2000 by the Kaiser Family Foundation found most parents want sex education to cover a wide range of topics. More that eight in 10 parents say that high school students should be taught all aspects of sex education, including birth control and safer sex (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2000).

Should Sex Education

Parents teaching their children at an early age about sex education build and open doors of communication and trust for both parent and child. Too often parents hesitate to speak directly with their children about sexuality. Sex can be a challenging and difficult topic to discuss for both parent and child. Some feel it to be uncomfortable or think that it is not the right time to have the discussion. Early parental communication on sex-related topics allows children to talk about sex and ask more questions and is associated with a delay in the onset of sexual activity (Planned Parenthood, 2001). Even though many parents fear that discussion will encourage sexual experimentation; teenagers need to be able to talk with to parents about sexual behavior. Sexual Violence Sexual violence is a serious problem that affects millions of people every year. It is one of the most underreported crimes in the United States. In the United States 2 out of 1000 children were confirmed by child protective service agencies as having experienced sexual assault in 2003 (DHHS, 2005). About 9% of high school students reported that they had been forced to have sexual intercourse, females being more likely than males. (CDC, 2004) It is very important that our youth know that any sexual contact that makes them uncomfortable is unacceptable. Sex, Drugs and Alcohol Abuse Young people in the United States that are casual and chronic users of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs often engage in high-risk behaviors, such as unprotected sex, when they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol (Leigh & Stall 1993). Drugs and alcohol reduces the ability to make sensible decisions.

Should Sex Education

Most sexual assaults have occurred because the perpetrator has consumed alcohol or some kind of drug. Although drug and alcohol consumption frequently occur, this fact does not prove that alcohol and drug use causes sexual assault. Does sex education encourage sexual activity? The evidence says no. While teachers cant talk about sex in school and parents are too embarrassed to talk about sex at home, our young adults are thinking about engaging in sex without the real facts to protect themselves physically and/or emotionally (Planned Parenthood Federation, 2006). Providing sex education that works will help our young people make healthy decision. Stacher (2001), cites recent research suggesting that sex education that includes information about contraception has either no effect on initiation of sexual activity or, in some cases, a delay in the initiation of sexual activity. Let the evidence show that we can teach our youth about sexual behavior in school without fearing that they will do the unthinkable.

Should Sex Education References

Alan Guttmacher Institute. (2001). State-level policies on sexuality, STD education. Issues in brief. Series, No. 5. New York. Baber, K.M. (2005). Adolescent sexuality. UNH Center on Adolescene. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2005). HIV/AIDS surveillance report 2004. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services, Vol. 16, 1-46 Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2004). Youth risk behavior surveillance-United States, 2003. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Vol. 53, 6 Hills-Jones, B. & Fredriksson-Bass J. (2005) An introduction to sexually transmitted diseases. Retrieve September 6, 2006, from www.avert.org/stds/htm Kaiser Family Foundation with Princeton Survey Research Associates. (2000). Sex Education in America: A series of National surveysof students, parents, teachers, and principals. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation: Menlo Park, California Kaiser Family Foundation. (2000). Decision-Making about Sex: SexSmarts. Retrieved September 7, 2006, from www.socialworkers,org/practice/adolesvent_health/ah0202.asp Leigh B.C. & Stall R. (1993). Substance use and risky sexual behavior for exposure to HIV: issues in methodology, interpretation and prevention. American Psychologist, 48, 1035- 1045 Retrieved September 6, 2006, from www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/youth.htm

Should Sex Education National Committee for Adoption. (1989). Adoption factbook: United States data issues, regulations and resources. Washington, DC: National Committee for Adoption.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. (2006). Parents for responsible sex education. Retrieved August 25, 2006, http://www.plannedparenthood.org/ppcna/parents-forresponsible -sex-education.htm Shulman, L.P., Nucatola, Deborah, & Kaunitz, A.M. (Oct. 1, 2004) New contraceptive options: with the different options and novel deliver systems available today, the key is to match the woman with the method that is safest for her fits her lifestyle, preferences, and cost and insurance factors. Womens Health. Retrieved September 8, 2006 from InfoTrac OneFile database Stacher, D. (2001). The surgeon generals call to action to promote sexual health and responsible sexual behavior. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Washington, DC. Strasburger, V.C. (2005). Teen pregnancy Rates in the USA. Retrieved August 25, 2006, from http://coolnurse.com/teen_pregnancy_rates.htm U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,Adminstration on Children, Youth and Families. (2006). Child Maltreatment 2004. Retrieved September 6, 2006, from www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm04/chaptertwo.htm

Should Sex Education

10

Weinstock, H., Berman, S., & Cates, W. (2004). Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000. Perpectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 36, (1), 6-10. Weiss, D. (2006). Pregnancy and childbearing among U.S. Teens. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. Retrieved September 4, 2006 http://www.plannedparenthood.org/news-articles-press/politics-policy-issues/teenpregnancy-sex-education/pregnancy-and-childbearing-among-us-teens.htm