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ABC?s and STD?s

In today?s society, there is an ongoing debate over sex education and its influence on children. With teenage pregnancy rates higher than ever and the imminent threat of the contraction of STD?s, such as HIV, the role of sex education in the school is of a greater importance now than ever before. Some opponents to sex education in school believe that it is not effective, and that it encourages children to have sex. They believe that sex education does more harm than good. However, I, like 90% of Americans, believe that sex education belongs in the education system. (Yahoo) I believe that by denying children sex education, you are in a sense sheltering them from the harsh realities they are bound to encounter. Sex education is a fundamental and essential part of an education, and by removing it, we are putting adolescents in serious danger.

During the teenage years, every boy or girl goes through major changes in their body. Sex education can help children cope with the many changes caused by the onset of puberty. Hormonal and physical changes in the body begin without warning and children need to understand why these changes are occurring and that these changes are completely normal. Learning and comprehending how one?s body works is a fundamental part in any persons life and the ability to gain this knowledge should not be removed by anyone including the United States government, clergy, or angry parents that believe it is better to use the don?t ask don?t tell policy. This information is needed to ensure that children understand why they are feeling increased sensitivity due to the opposite sex, and what these feelings are likely to lead to encompass.

At the beginning of puberty, hormones start rushing and all teenagers begin to experience sexual urges. Increased sexual exploration is not controllable by anyone, including parents or teachers. It?s a natural function of the body, which has been occurring since the beginning of time. Along with the hormonal rush, comes experimentation. Teenagers begin to explore their new bodies, and the bodies of others. ?You can?t prevent teenagers from having sex, no matter what you preach. If students are having sex, they might as well do it the safe way. It?s a way for schools to show that they actually care,? says Shauna Ling-Choung, director of a Brooklyn, New York school health center. (Richardson)

With sex education classes, students are taught about the various methods of contraception, including abstinence. By teaching students the options they have, they are more likely to find an option suitable for them, and this increases the chance of contraceptives being used.

According to Pamela DeCarlo, from the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, currently, out of all age groups, teenagers have the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases, with one in four adolescents contracting an STD by the age of 21. Including in the STD category is the HIV virus, which is finally decreasing after reaching the all time high in 1998. According to the Centers for Disease Control, teens are at a high behavioral risk for acquiring STD?s. Teenagers and young adults are more likely, than other age groups, to have multiple sex partners, to engage in unprotected sex, and for young women, to choose sexual partners older than themselves. The only way to discontinue this trend is with education. The information should be delivered through a variety of sources including parents, teachers, and clergy.

Through sex education, teachers are able to educate children with the correct information on the many types of sexually transmitted diseases that exist in the world today. Teachers are also able to dismiss misinformation about ways of contracting the diseases, symptoms and treatments of STD?s, and preventive measures. These dangerous misunderstandings are weeded out and students get the straight facts. Sex education should be taught in schools where parents are assured that their kids are taught the accurate information that is so critical to life.

Sex education is needed in schools today more than ever. The major reason for this is that the typical family structure in the United States has worsened over the last century. As the family structure of the 21st century has changed, so has the way children are being raised. Society cannot count on all parents to instill morals into their children and teach them the facts of life or even the difference between right and wrong. Besides, even if parents were around more often, the chances of a child approaching their parents about the ?birds and the bees? is unlikely. All children need to have a place where the information is provided to them without them needing to ask, without the need to feel awkward, scared, or foolish.

By denying that teenagers are having sexual relations, you are denying a fact of life. In fact, by doing this, this makes the problem worse. Human nature shows us adolescents are attracted to things that they can?t have, or are not taught the consequences of their actions. We also as a society cannot say don?t touch, because that is the first thing that a rebellious teen will run to. We have to supplement the facts, with the consequences, and the morality of pre-marital sexual intercourse.

Teenage sexual activity has been rising steadily for more than two decades now. A recent survey shows the first drop since the