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Importance of Sex Education

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Importance of Sex Education
IMPORTANCE OF SEX EDUCATION
COLUMBIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

Abstract
Sex education is an important aspect for adolescents and crucial for their development. It is crucial for youths to learn about their sexuality and be able to make better decisions about sex. The sources confirmed that the topic of sex education is a highly debated when it comes to whether or not sex education should be added to the curriculum that is taught in schools. The controversy stems from parents that oppose sex education in schools due to their religious or personal opinions. According to the CDC there has been a decline in teen pregnancy due to the efforts towards prevention of pregnancy and STDs. The United States has the highest rate of sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancy among developed countries, (Carter, 2012). Studies will show that teen pregnancy, STDs, and the initiation of sex remain a risk and controversial topic in the United States and that teens is less likely to become pregnant if they receive some type of comprehensive sex education compared teens that received no sex education, (Kohler et al., 2008). Sex education is not only about giving youths the facts, it is about teaching young people knowledge they can to use to live a safe and healthier life.

Importance of Sex Education
The lack of adolescents sexual knowledge during an adolescent multiple developmental changes, can increase their use of self selected media, abstract thinking, or increase time spent with peers. It has been found of students in their first year at least 56 percent have experience genital fondling, (Byers et al., 2011). Adolescents’ sexuality becomes prominent and their sexual feelings and interest is heightened during their middle school years, including their opportunity for sexual exploration and sexual knowledge. A study shows that before a girl 20th birthday that three out of ten girls will at least become pregnant one time. A


References: Beadle, A. P. (2012, April 10). Teen Pregnancies Highest In States With Abstinence-Only Policies. Retrieved from Think Progress: http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/04/10/461402/teen-pregnancy-sex-education/ Bowman, K., & Rew, L Institute, G. (2012, February). Facts on American Teens’ Sources of Information About Sex. Retrieved from Guttmacher Institute: http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/FB-Teen-Sex-Ed.html Institute, G Kohler, P. K., Manhart, L. E., & Lafferty, W. E. (2008). Abstinence-Only and Comprehensive Sex Education and the Initiation of Sexual Activity and Teen Pregnancy. Journal of Adolescent Health, Volume 42, Issue 4, 344-351. Martinez, G., Abma, J., & Copen, C. (2010). Educating Teenagers About Sex in the United States. NCHS Data Brief, Number 44. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db44.htm McManus, A., & Dhar, L Ross, D. (2008). Approaches to sex education: peer-led or teacher-led? . PLoS Medicine, 1536+ .Retrieved from: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA202254703&v=2.1&u=oran95108&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=e309362c426934a7a75b01743a20b9a3 Sonenstein, F Stanger-Hall, K., & Hall, D. W. (2011). Abstinence-Only Education and Teen Pregnancy Rates: Why We Need Comprehensive Sex Education in the U.S . PlosOne. Whittaker, A. (2009, August). Parent-Child Communication: Promoting Sexually Healthy Youth . Retrieved from Advocates for Youth: Retrieved from.http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/the-facts-parent-child-communication
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