Sex Education in Public Schools

Sex Education in Public Schools
Sex education should be increased in schools. Nearly one million under the age of twenty get pregnant each day. If students are educated about the effects sex has on their lives, it lessens their chance of having children at an early age. Knowledge about sex can also lessen the chance of kids receiving STD’s. With pregnancy crisis growing and STD’s increasing, sex education is needed in public schools. First of all, the main reason children have sex prematurely is because they are curious. Students lack of knowledge about sex because they haven’t been taught about it, however, when children know the consequences behind their actions and the risks they are taking they less likely want to have sex. If we take the time to show kids what it is like to take care of a child as a teenager or show them victims who were effect by sexually transmitted diseases. They may be much less likely to want to indulge in sexual activities. Sex education probably can’t prevent teenage sex, but it can ensure students have the knowledge they need so they’ll be aware of what they are getting themselves into. It could also teach young people exactly how risky unprotected sex is and the possible consequences.
"There are a lot of young people having sex and we need to be emphasizing safe sex as much as we can, that is condom use for the prevention of STIs not just as a contraceptive," says Anne Mitchell, a sexual health Professor from La Trobe University.
Sex is something that almost everyone will experience before they die. It is a subject that has been debated about for years, from the debate over birth control to the outbreak of aids. With all this history behind us, sex is becoming even more of an issue. With the new outbreaks of sexually transmitted diseases and the fact that sexually active persons are becoming younger, sex has now become a daily topic. Sex scandals in the media and talk such as 'who slept with who at last night's keg party' are making these daily conversations apparent in high schools, middle schools, and in a lot of cases grade schools. As the saying goes 'monkey see monkey do' one can only assume that this concept will pertain to these easily influenced children. That is why it is imperative that another side of this issue is presented on a regular basis, a side that demonstrates safe sex as well as no sex.
Religion plays an important part to the topic of sex education. Some people who believe strongly in their religion feel that if the school gets to speak to their children about sex before they do, than important things about their religion will be left out of the discussion. However, some of the America public believes that sex education should be taught at home by the children’s parents. They feel that sex education programs in schools do not put an emphasis on abstinence and encourages children to have sexual intercourse. Yes, many people may not agree but not every child has fit parents. Who do they get to rely on? Is it okay for them to end up pregnant their first time of having sex or dying from a sexually transmitted disease? Therefore, schools provide sex education class.
Sex education is needed, with the outrageous percent of number increasing day by day of teen pregnancy and STD’s. The risk of STD’s and teen pregnancy is an urgent and practically irreversible problem. The key is preventing it. Making sure our children are getting the education needed. After all, if the children do not have bright futures, how can the rest of the country?

Simon Lauder. “Sex education group raises HIV alarm”. 30 November 2011. ABC. 4 Dec 2011 www.abc.net.