My name is Jordan Large and I am a junior at Isaac Bear Early College. This BlogSpot is part of my graduation project, on the need for a comprehensive sex education in public schools. My goal for this blog is to inform the public about comprehensive sex education. So please leave comments or questions you may have.
Okay, so in New Hanover County, we currently have a two-track system, this means parents decide which program their children are taught. The programs are, abstinence-only or comprehensive.
Just in case you are not familiar with these programs, the fundamental difference is contraception discussion. Which, comprehensive sex education have and abstinence-only programs does not.
A bill promoting this two-track system in sex education, has been recently passed in one committee in North Carolina, there are a few more to go through!
This is a step in the right direction.
Why do we need a comprehensive sex education?
Let's look at some statistics from the United States, every year:
No, they are not. Let's see how we compare to some European countries.
According to Advocates For Youth, The United States has:
- Three million teenagers contract an STD
- Nearly one million teenagers become pregnant
- One fourth of those, end in abortion
No, they are not. Let's see how we compare to some European countries.
According to Advocates For Youth, The United States has:
- Seven times the teen pregnancy rate of the Netherlands
- Seventy-four times the teen gonorrhea rate of France.
- Eight times the teen abortion rate of Germany.
So what makes the United States so different?
In these countries, they embrace a comprehensive sex education.
In these countries, they embrace a comprehensive sex education.
Problems with abstinence-only programs
In a study, it was found that no abstinence-only program has been shown to help delay teen sex or to protect themselves when they do initiate sex.
Research has also shown that abstinence-only programs can reverse the efforts made by teens for safe-sex, when contraception discussion is limited to focusing on its failure.
Obviously there is a sufficient amount of evidence that shows abstinence-only education does not work. So why are there no comprhensive sex education programs that are government funded? In 2006 alone, $176,000,000 was spent in funding abstinence-only programs.
Research has also shown that abstinence-only programs can reverse the efforts made by teens for safe-sex, when contraception discussion is limited to focusing on its failure.
Obviously there is a sufficient amount of evidence that shows abstinence-only education does not work. So why are there no comprhensive sex education programs that are government funded? In 2006 alone, $176,000,000 was spent in funding abstinence-only programs.
Advantages of a Comprehensive Sex Education
- In a study conducted in California, it was found that abstinent students remained abstienent and sexually active students left more likely to use contraception (Decarlo).
- Even a former General was quoted saying, "Evidence shows that comprehensive sex education programs ... can help delay the onset of sexual activity among teens, reduce their number of sexual partners and increse contraception use when they become sexaully active" (Facts on Sex education in the United States).
Common Misconceptions
"Abstinence-only programs are for immature students"
No, these programs should not to be decided by the student's maturity level, but rather what the parents feel will benefit the student.
"Comprehensive sex education promotes teen sex"
This is also not true. Many studies have shown that these programs delay the initiation of sex and students are more likely to use a contraception when they do become sexually active. Jennifer Tucker, a sex education teacher in New Hanover County schools has said, "Knowledge is power. Teaching students is not giving them license to it".
"Comprehensive sex education discourages abstinence"
Actually, comprehensive sex education classes aim for abstinence, but provide information to protect students that are sexually active, or give knowledge for the future.
"When parents choose comprehensive sex education, they condone sexual activity."
No, deciding to enroll your child in a comprehensive sex education does not condone this behavior. Talking to your children beforehand about expectations in sexual activity is necessary.
"Teachers use bananas to demonstrate put on a condom."
Teachers, well at least in New Hanover County use their hands.
No, these programs should not to be decided by the student's maturity level, but rather what the parents feel will benefit the student.
"Comprehensive sex education promotes teen sex"
This is also not true. Many studies have shown that these programs delay the initiation of sex and students are more likely to use a contraception when they do become sexually active. Jennifer Tucker, a sex education teacher in New Hanover County schools has said, "Knowledge is power. Teaching students is not giving them license to it".
"Comprehensive sex education discourages abstinence"
Actually, comprehensive sex education classes aim for abstinence, but provide information to protect students that are sexually active, or give knowledge for the future.
"When parents choose comprehensive sex education, they condone sexual activity."
No, deciding to enroll your child in a comprehensive sex education does not condone this behavior. Talking to your children beforehand about expectations in sexual activity is necessary.
"Teachers use bananas to demonstrate put on a condom."
Teachers, well at least in New Hanover County use their hands.
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