Sexual Education Who Cares And Why

Sexual Education: Who Cares And Why. Essay, Research Paper

Sexual Education: Who Cares And Why

The range of beliefs on sex education is extremely broad and multi-sided. Religious, cultural, gender, and social factors intermix, affecting the way that these different groups believe and act. Most people take a conservative or moderate view on most points of the debate, and liberal views on other points. Very few reside at either extreme. The groups at each extreme are the ones to look at because they make it their goal to make people see their point of view, giving shape to the overall view of the subject. The amount of division near each extreme makes it very difficult to find a view with which the whole group can be happy.

Christian religions divide when it comes to how the Bible should be interpreted and what is right and wrong. Within each sect of religion, cultures, genders, and classes divide as to what is right and wrong and how children should be taught. Children from each class and culture grow up in different environments, affecting what and how they learn, inside and outside of school. People in one religion can have similar beliefs as those held by someone in another religion, but the religious differences make it difficult for them to unite in support of the belief.

Religion is the most notorious for associating sex with marriage. The Catholic Church stands the most firm on the idea sex should be confined to marriage. The Church says contraception blocks the presence of God in the sexual act and is therefore wrong. The Catholic Church stands behind the practice of abstaining from sex until marriage, limiting sexual education to instruction on anatomy and function. They believe there is no place for contraceptives in the education area, especially the open distribution of them. Use of contraceptives is a sign of disregard of the authority of the Catholic Church given to them by God. One problem Catholics see with sex education in public schools is that, “Sexual abstinence and modesty can be and are viewed as religious doctrines and thereby can be removed from the curriculum” (Sulaiman).

Religions have also been formed to cherish the sexual act. The religions based on sex will occasionally place sex as a form of worship to one’s partner. The Tantra Religion is, “a system of Hindu yoga in which the union of male and female principles is worshipped” and it considers sex without an orgasms to be “divine” (Yronwode). The Church of Tantra says practice “allows the participants to experience what seems to be — what IS, for all intents and purposes — the presence of deity in the person of the sex partner” (Yronwode). Similar religions teach members to prolong orgasms and heighten their sexual experience. Most religions like this do not care why the sex is occurring, who it is occurring with, or how it is happening as long as it is enjoyed. Contraceptives are a tool used throughout the process of life. It is important to find a partner and prevent pregnancy or disease after finding that partner. They generally support abortion, which is a controversial issue involved in sexual education. For them it is not a matter of choice, but a matter of necessity. They support contraceptives in schools because contraceptives give children the ability to have sex and search for their most compatible partner.

Contraceptives have been discussed and distributed in schools for many years. Each year, officials of organizations like Planned Parenthood and the National Education Association push for condoms to be distributed to children at younger ages, as children are reaching puberty at younger ages. The more children who know about contraceptives, the more questions and problems the children will have with them. The National Education Association says the following about sex education, “Teachers and health professionals must be qualified to teach in this area and must be legally protected from censorship and lawsuits” (B-36). If the preceding is granted to the teachers, they will have more power and influence. The National Education Association benefits from these programs because more money is given to the teachers, its members, and more positions are needed to teach the classes.

School officials and lawmakers are lobbied by many outside organizations, which are trying to have sex education courses for everyone. One of these organizations, Planned Parenthood, helps to counsel children about sex, diseases, and pregnancy. One of the main goals for Planned Parenthood is, “to provide educational programs which enhance understanding of individual and societal implications of human sexuality” (”Mission and Policy Statements”). Distribution of contraceptives is considered a vital part of completing their mission. Condoms are the most frequently used and distributed form of contraception.

Condoms are sold and distributed all over the United States. Many restrooms in gas stations and convenience stores have condom vending machines. All levels of school from elementary to high school and college distribute condoms to students as part of sex education programs. Planned Parenthood and other organizations buy condoms and then distribute them to people who ask for them. These organizations believe that after a person has been given a condom and the condom has worked, they will be more likely to buy condoms and use them. Condom manufacturers make