The Argument For Sexual Education In Public Schools Argumentative Essay Samples

In our modern society, it is amazing that basic sex education is still a controversial topic. There is a minority of parents and politicians that advocate for sexual education to be taught at home and that sex education that is taught in school be severely limited in its scope. Sexuality and the biology associated with reproductive health are scientific in nature; should be included in the curriculum of all schools. The curriculum should include basic reproductive processes in males and females, the changes that occur physiologically during puberty, sexually transmitted diseases and forms of birth control, including abstinence. A comprehensive curriculum, as such, not only informs our adolescent population but empowers them to make informed and thoughtful decisions about their sexuality.
In the United States, the median age for first time intercourse is 16.9 for males and 17.4 for females. It would be optimal for these teens to be aware of the risks and consequences associated with sexual activity. Means for safe sexual practice is also important for teens to understand. The American Medical Association, the American Academy for Pediatrics and the National Academy of Sciences all recommend a comprehensive sex education program in secondary schools. The recommend the facts about reproduction and the choices for contraception, including abstinence.
93% of schools in the United States offer sex education as part of their curriculum but the content of this curriculum varies widely (Landry et al 261).
A comprehensive curriculum for sex education consists of several components. A comprehensive curriculum would cover medically accurately information on abstinence, contraception, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. Lindau and her colleagues performed a study in Illinois. They surveyed secondary teachers who taught sex education. Their findings showed that the majority of teachers covered the basic of reproductive processes and biology; contraception, including abstinence and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDs. The majority of teachers followed the state’s guidelines and covered the basic, required information. Some teachers, notably more males than females also covered sexual orientation. One third of the teachers surveyed admitted that they were not trained to teach sex education.
There is a popular myth, that there is a large number of parents who do not want their children to learn about sex in school, they would prefer to teach sex and it repercussions at home. This is simply not true. The overwhelming majority of parents want their children to receive appropriate sex education in the classroom, provided it is introduced at an appropriate age and the curriculum is relevant. According to the Advocates for Youth website, repeated surveys of parents at the local, state and national level reported that 80 to 85% of parents are in favor of sex education in the school system. The article encourages parents to be involved in their children schools and to be knowledgeable about the materials and curricula that is covered. The article implies that once parents are informed and involved, their comfort level with sex education increases. The article
also encourages parents to discuss the social and emotional aspects of sex and sexuality with their kids.

On her blog for Parenting Magazine, Kathryn Thompson writes:

I plan to teach my kids about sex.  In fact, I’m already doing it.  In little
ways and as they’re ready, I work lessons about health, sexuality and how bodies work into our daily conversations. Physical intimacy is special and our private bodies are private for a reason, but sex shouldn’t be something that’s scary or shameful. I also teach my kids to read and cook and conserve electricity.  Not every parent teaches her kids these things.
Ms. Thompson is a parent who is teaching her children in a naturalistic manner, the fact is that many parents are not teaching their children the basics.
Sex education is the single most effective way to reach a large number of adolescents and ensure that they are receiving accurate and scientifically proven information about sex and the risks associated with it. Science does not recognize embarrassment or shame. A science based curriculum presents the information needed in order for a teen to make smart decisions when it comes to sexual activity. According to the American Psychological Associations, “Based on over 15 years of research, the evidence shows that comprehensive sexuality education programs for youth that encourage abstinence, promote appropriate condom use, and teach sexual communication skills reduce HIV-risk behavior and also delay the onset of sexual intercourse.”
All sex education courses include abstinence as the most effective way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. The question is not whether abstinence should be included in the curriculum but instead, what other forms of birth control should be included?
In a study of teen sexual activity and pregnancy, the researchers found that teens who received a comprehensive sex education or an abstinence only program both had considerably lower levels of teen pregnancy (both male and female). The factors that greatly increased the chances for teen pregnancy were lower socioeconomic status, race (blacks) and broken families. The study also found that “abstinence only” programs had no significant impact on the age of initial vaginal intercourse or the rate of sexually transmitted disease. Teens who received a comprehensive sex education had considerably lower levels of pregnancy and moderately lower rates of sexually transmitted diseases. The variable that revealed itself to the researchers of this project was the fact the teenagers from intact families had much lower levels of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. This was a surprise for the researchers (Kohler, Manhart & Lafferty).
In her research on the various approaches to sex education in schools, Silva performed a meta-analysis of previous studies. Her findings resulted support the findings of Kohler, Manhart & Lafferty. An abstinence only based curriculum and a comprehensive program both had little impact on abstinent behavior in teens. She also found that parental involvement was a major contributing factor to abstinent behavior in teens, especially females.
The Heritage Foundation, a supporter of abstinence only sex education programs cites several benefits and components to this type of approach. Abstinence until marriage does not result in pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease. The focus of the program is not only on the physical aspect of sex, its risks and repercussions but on the social and emotional aspects. Abstinence
only programs emphasize the social, emotional and psychological advantages. Teens who abstain from sex tend to perform better in school and have higher self-esteem then teens who engage in sexual activities.
The advocates of abstinence only sex education programs are out of touch parents and politicians looking for publicity and votes. Parents who advocate for abstinence only programs are in a very small minority. There is overwhelming support by parents for comprehensive sex education for their children that includes abstinence as well as other forms of protection and birth control. Teens who have supportive parents who are involved in their schools and who talk to them at home generally exhibit lower rates of pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and later intercourse initiation ages. Factors that contribute significantly to teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases include race, family situation and socio-economic status.
Sex education curriculum is the responsibility of each state to develop. States need to develop a sex education curriculum that is both comprehensive, science based and sensitive to the students being exposed to this material. Teenage sex in not a new phenomenon; arming them with current and accurate information about sex is as important as teaching them the dangers of smoking and taking illegal drugs.
Abstinence only programs to not give our teenagers enough information to make informed and safe choices. We allow our teen to watch television shows, movies and music videos that feature sexually provocative performers and actors, yet we are afraid to approach them and entrust them with knowledge of sex, pregnancy and disease. We encourage them to excel in school: reading; math; social studies and science, yet we are hesitant to teach them about sex. States and school systems need to rectify this conflict and institute comprehensive sex education programs that includes the concept and practice of abstinence and train teachers to present the material in a meaningful and sensitive manner.

Works Cited

Collins, Chris, Aligiri, Priya & Summers, Todd. “Abstinence Only vs Comprehensive Sex
Education: What are the Arguments? What is the Evidence?” AIDS Research Center and
Center for AIDS Prevention (March 2002). Web 3 Mar 2015 Web
http://ari.ucsf.edu/science/reports/abstinence.pdf.
Kim, Christine & Rector, Robert. “Evidence of Effectiveness of Abstinence Education: An
Update.” The Heritage Foundation 19 Feb 2010 Web 3 Mar 2015
< http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/02/evidence-on-the-effectiveness-of-
abstinence-education-an-update>.
Kohler, Pamela, Manhart, Lisa & Lafferty, William. “Abstinence Only and Comprehensive Sex
Education and the Initiation of Sexual Activity and Teen Pregnancy.” Journal of
Adolescent Health 42 (2008): 344-351.
Landry, David, Darroch, Jacqueline, Singh, Susheela, & Higgins, Jenny. “Factors Associated
with the Content of Sex Education in U.S. Secondary Public Schools.” Perspectives on
Sexual and Reproductive Health 35, 6 (2003): 261-269.
Free Access
“Parents as Advocates for Comprehensive Sex Ed in Schools” Advocates for Youth. Web 3 Mar
2015 Webhttp://www.advocatesforyouth.org/component/content/158?task=view.
Rotheram, Mary Jane & Lyon, Maureen Ellen. “Based on the Research, Comprehensive Sex
Education is More Effective at Stopping the Spread of HIV Infections, Says APA
Committee.” American Psychological Association 23, Feb 2005 Web 3 Mar 2015
< http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2005/02/sex-education.aspx>.
Silva, Monica. “The Effectiveness of School-based Sex Education Programs in the Promotion
of Abstinent Behavior: A Meta Analysis. Health Education Research 17, 4 (2002): 471-481.
Thompson, Kathryn. “Sex Education Mandated in New York City Schools.” Parenting 3 Mar
2015 Web < http://www.parenting.com/blogs/mom-congress/kathryn-young-thompson/sex-
education-mandated-new-york-city-schools>.