Should sex education be taught in the nation's public schools, and if so, what kind of education should be provided? (Abstinence-only? Abstinence-plus?)
It should be required that an 'Abstinence-plus' sex education program be included in the curriculum of ALL public schools in the US. Abstinence should be encouraged on the forefront of this program amongst teenagers, while presenting the information regarding sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. I think it is then important to address the reality that not all teenagers will choose to abstain from having sex. This would be a great time to present information on various methods of contraception and the need (especially for women) to receive regular check ups including testing for STD's and HIV. Such programs should also present the long term effects of STD's if left untreated, since most teens having sex are too embarrassed to seek medical attention for symptoms associated with STD's. These programs should also encourage open communication with parents and possibly have a supplemental parent "class" to explain what is being taught to the students, why and how they can address it at home.
Due to cultural and religious differences such programs are often very controversial. I think that in developing these programs these differences should be carefully taken into account and such programs should only address the facts. This leaves the religious/cultural beliefs on the topic up to the families to address at home.
I also think such programs should not be passing out condoms (those can be bought at any drug store or gas station) or providing birth control pills. The program should instill all of the facts on the teenagers but should not be providing such means that often times look like a "free pass" to start having sex. I think providing information on ways to get check ups/testing, birth control, abortions or pre-natal care without the consent of the parents should be carefully addressed. This information should carefully take into consideration the age group being taught and the long term effects that doing these things without the support of your family could cause. I think access to such information is more relevant to a college age population than high school. I find it kind of 'messed up' that a 14 years old girl could go to a clinic and receive HIV testing, a pap test including STD screenings,pregnancy testing and care, birth control pills, condoms or in a lot of cases an abortion, by herself without her parents knowing, yet that same girl would need her mom to go to the doctor with her were she to have a runny nose, since people under the age of 18 can't be treatment without the consent of a present parent.
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I agree with your strategy to promote good sexual health among adolescents. If only to insure that they receive adequate treatment for any type of sexual transmitted disease they may encounter. I agree also that these classes or programs should not hand out the condoms but just promote their usage or even cover how to properly use them and other contraceptives. The statement that the parents should come to a program also is very encouraging. If a health educator is able to explain to the parents exactly what is being taught to their children. I believe this would ensure that the gap of knowledge that set between parents and their children would become smaller and it may be easier to open the lines of communication between the two; this is the easiest way to insure that everyone is being educated properly.
ReplyDeleteI think it is such a great idea to have a supplemntal class for parents. So many times parents don't talk to their kids about sex because they don't know what to say. i also agree with you that condoms and birth control should not be passed out at school. I think the schools job is to educate our children but not force ideas or choices that really need to be made within the family.
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