Public Schools Need to Teach a Broader Sex Education Curriculum (FGCU, Katie Afflerback)

Claim: Public Schools Need to Teach a Broader Sex Education Curriculum

Suggested Reading: Support for Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Perspectives from Parents of School-Age Youth by Eisenbergh, Marla E.; Bernat, Debra H.; Bearinger, Linda H.; Resnick, Michael D.

There has long been controversy surrounding sex education in our country’s public schools. Despite mounting evidence over the past decade that shows comprehensive sexuality education effectively promotes sexual health, there still exists the argument for Abstinence-only sex education. Further research show that in spite of such arguments, more parents support the comprehensive programs in public schools.

Teaching the ideologically-based Abstinence-Only approach to sex education as the sole approach is both ineffective and unrealistic. It perpetuates dated gender and sexual stereotypes and has failed to decrease the number of unintended pregnancies. Providing students with the information regarding anatomy, reproduction, reproductive health including contraception, reproductive rights and responsibilities allows them to make informed decisions. That’s not to say that students shouldn’t be made aware that abstinence is the only method of birth control that is 100 percent effective.   

The According to Support for Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Perspectives from Parents of School-Age Youth, “[t]he large majority of parents supported teaching about both abstinence and contraception (comprehensive sexuality education [CSE]; 89.3%), and support was high across all demographic categories of parents. All specific sexuality education topics received majority support (63.4%-98.6%), even those often viewed as controversial” (Eisenbergh, et al.)  It is thought that employing multiple strategies for prevention of pregnancy and STIs, including abstinence,  is the most effective, because it gives students an overview of their options, and informs them of the facts associated with each. Teachers, administration, the school boards, and parents agree on the importance of including a variety of topics and beginning instruction during the junior high years or earlier. 

In closing, teaching an Abstinence-Only curriculum is ineffective. Public schools should offer comprehensive sex ed programs in effort to prevent teen pregnancies and STIs.

 

Support for Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Perspectives from Parents of School-Age Youth by Eisenbergh, Marla E.; Bernat, Debra H.; Bearinger, Linda H.; Resnick, Michael D.

As seen in the Journal of Adolescent Health, vol. 42, no. 4, pp. 352-359, Apr. 2008

-FGCU, Katie Afflerback

Leave a Reply