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Diab
Guest
Adaweya Diab
Health
Mr. Lykes
March 14, 2009
Sex Education
The elevated progression of teenage pregnancy has amplified the urgency of the argument of sex education in schools. Nationally, nearly one million young women under age 20 become pregnant each year. That means close to 2800 teens get pregnant each day. (1) Conservatives maintain that these exact statistics demonstrate exactly why abstinence is the only answer; and therefore the only thing that should be taught. While Liberals argue that the increased rate of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases proves that we should increase the education on topics such as STD’s. (2) Which brings me the ultimate controversial question; should sexual education be taught in school?
The argument against sexual education being taught in school roots from the belief that it is a parent’s job to teach their children about private issues. This is because parents should be able to provide their children with information about sex that correlates with their values. (3) Teaching sexual education in school may cause children to question the morals their parents have set for them. These grounds are seen as a troubled thought because sex is being taught instead of abstinence. It is said that sexual education is just facts; parents see this as teaching situational ethics instead of absolute morality. (3) Since the material in class is only brief time, it is not a long enough time to efficiently instill such important information in such a short period of time. Often, sexual education can go against an individual’s moral or religious beliefs. Many schools do not teach “abstinence only” but teach how to have intercourse safely, whereas many religious and family values stress marriage before intercourse. (4) If you teach kids safe sex, instead of no sex at all, the likelihood of them having sexual intercourse at a young age is thirty-eight percent higher.
Some argue these statistics in the opposite direction saying if kids are going to have sexual intercourse we must teach them the right way to handle things. Those who favor sex education use the staggering statistics in their favor. The census said that sixty-six percent of American high school students have had sexual intercourse by their senior year. (5) If the younger generation is engaging in intercourse on a regular basis the only safe option is to educate them. Student’s can be taught the correct terms of the reproductive system, sexually transmitted diseases and birth contraceptives rather than the “street lingo.” Myths surrounding intercourse can be dispelled. Research in this area reveals that ignorance and unresolved curiosity, not knowledge, are harmful. Early inclusion of classes has proven to help students remain either abstinent or to the least extent act responsibly if they are sexually active. (4)
It is said that out of every twenty teens, ten are sexually active, but only four use conceptions, two get pregnant and one gives birth. (6) This statistic shows that we should redress the forum because the sex education programs taught in school are not decreasing the rate of abstinent teenagers. Sex Education is taught for three basic reasons. Firstly, it has been set to discourage sexual activity at a young age. Secondly, it is to inform on topics such as the prevention and protection from sexually transmitted diseases, like Chlamydia and Herpes. And thirdly, sex education is taught in order to prevent teenage pregnancy. Instead of letting the school board approve what to teach our kids; the board can allow parents to regulate the information they think their kids need to know. (7) I believe that if the present criteria is not helping to solve these problems than the information taught should be replaced by more accommodating information; in order to ensure the American people that they are overcoming the problems that the class was designed to eradicate.
The biological functions of sex can cross many moral and religious boarders that a family should, by constitutional right, have the opportunity to teach to their children as they see fit, not as the school system decrees. (8) The curriculum for sex education classes should be redrafted in order for these programs to properly address the issues that sex education classes were intended to stop.
LAST SENTENCE?
Health
Mr. Lykes
March 14, 2009
Sex Education
The elevated progression of teenage pregnancy has amplified the urgency of the argument of sex education in schools. Nationally, nearly one million young women under age 20 become pregnant each year. That means close to 2800 teens get pregnant each day. (1) Conservatives maintain that these exact statistics demonstrate exactly why abstinence is the only answer; and therefore the only thing that should be taught. While Liberals argue that the increased rate of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases proves that we should increase the education on topics such as STD’s. (2) Which brings me the ultimate controversial question; should sexual education be taught in school?
The argument against sexual education being taught in school roots from the belief that it is a parent’s job to teach their children about private issues. This is because parents should be able to provide their children with information about sex that correlates with their values. (3) Teaching sexual education in school may cause children to question the morals their parents have set for them. These grounds are seen as a troubled thought because sex is being taught instead of abstinence. It is said that sexual education is just facts; parents see this as teaching situational ethics instead of absolute morality. (3) Since the material in class is only brief time, it is not a long enough time to efficiently instill such important information in such a short period of time. Often, sexual education can go against an individual’s moral or religious beliefs. Many schools do not teach “abstinence only” but teach how to have intercourse safely, whereas many religious and family values stress marriage before intercourse. (4) If you teach kids safe sex, instead of no sex at all, the likelihood of them having sexual intercourse at a young age is thirty-eight percent higher.
Some argue these statistics in the opposite direction saying if kids are going to have sexual intercourse we must teach them the right way to handle things. Those who favor sex education use the staggering statistics in their favor. The census said that sixty-six percent of American high school students have had sexual intercourse by their senior year. (5) If the younger generation is engaging in intercourse on a regular basis the only safe option is to educate them. Student’s can be taught the correct terms of the reproductive system, sexually transmitted diseases and birth contraceptives rather than the “street lingo.” Myths surrounding intercourse can be dispelled. Research in this area reveals that ignorance and unresolved curiosity, not knowledge, are harmful. Early inclusion of classes has proven to help students remain either abstinent or to the least extent act responsibly if they are sexually active. (4)
It is said that out of every twenty teens, ten are sexually active, but only four use conceptions, two get pregnant and one gives birth. (6) This statistic shows that we should redress the forum because the sex education programs taught in school are not decreasing the rate of abstinent teenagers. Sex Education is taught for three basic reasons. Firstly, it has been set to discourage sexual activity at a young age. Secondly, it is to inform on topics such as the prevention and protection from sexually transmitted diseases, like Chlamydia and Herpes. And thirdly, sex education is taught in order to prevent teenage pregnancy. Instead of letting the school board approve what to teach our kids; the board can allow parents to regulate the information they think their kids need to know. (7) I believe that if the present criteria is not helping to solve these problems than the information taught should be replaced by more accommodating information; in order to ensure the American people that they are overcoming the problems that the class was designed to eradicate.
The biological functions of sex can cross many moral and religious boarders that a family should, by constitutional right, have the opportunity to teach to their children as they see fit, not as the school system decrees. (8) The curriculum for sex education classes should be redrafted in order for these programs to properly address the issues that sex education classes were intended to stop.
LAST SENTENCE?