Adolescence is the longest period of development that is characterized by rapid physical growth, reproductive maturity and psychosocial advancement (Fantasia, 2008). This developmental phase brings sexual intercourse in to consideration for the adolescent. Adolescent sex is the popular thing to do. In the 1980s and 1990s, adolescents were being taught that sex was a taboo and when married. Since puberty is occurring at a younger age, marriage is delayed until later in life. A growing number of sexually transmitted diseases occur more frequently in adolescents (Fantasia, 2008). In society today, sex among adolescents is on the rise due to lack of education, lack of parental influence, and peer pressure. In the past, adolescents were educated about sex. Now adolescents need to know the pros and cons when making a decision to have sex. An adolescent’s cultural background may play a role in whether or not the adolescent has been educated about sex. According to Weyman (2008), sex and relationships education is learning about sex, sexuality, emotions, relationships, sexual health and ourselves. Another issue that stems from lack of education is the increase in teen pregnancy at an early age (Carlson & Tanner, 2006). Even though the teenage pregnancy has dropped in this country, the United States still has the highest teenage pregnancy of any developed country (Fantasia, 2008). According to Cates (2006), American youth have one of the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections. Most of these infections go undetected and undiagnosed. Another factor that may lead to early sexual experiences for the adolescent is lack of parental influence. Lack of parental communication may cause the adolescent to sex in early in life w... ... middle of paper ... ...exual Behavior: Insights from Parental Style [Electronic version]. The Journal of Consumer Affairs. 40. 144-162. Cates, J. R. (2008, May). Education on sexually transmitted infections: finding common ground Among youth, parents, provider, and policy advocates. Sex Education, 8(2). 129-143. Fantasia, H. C. (2008, April-June). Concept Analysis: Sexual Decision-Making in Adolescence. Nursing Forum, 43(2). 80-90. Melby, Todd. (2009, July). The End of Abstinence-only? Contemporary Sexuality, 43(7). 2-6. Sieving, R. E., Eisenberg, M. E., Pettingell, S., & Skay, C. (2006). Friends Influence on Adolescent’s First Sexual Intercourse. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 38(1). 13-19. Weyman, Anne. (n.d.). Putting sex in context: sex and relationships education in schools. Education Review, 17(2). 80-85
Since the HIV/AIDS epidemic began in the U.S. in the early 1980s the issue of sex education for American youth has had the attention of the nation. There are about 400,000 teen births every year in the U.S, with about 9 billion in associated public costs. STI contraction in general, as well as teen pregnancy, have put the subject even more so on the forefront of the nation’s leading issues. The approach and method for proper and effective sex education has been hotly debated. Some believe that teaching abstinence-only until marriage is the best method while others believe that a more comprehensive approach, which includes abstinence promotion as well as contraceptive information, is necessary. Abstinence-only program curriculums disregard medical ethics and scientific accuracy, and have been empirically proven to be ineffective; therefore, comprehensive sex education programs which are medically accurate, science-based and empirically proven should be the standard method of sex education for students/children in the U.S.
Yu-Yun Alice Hsu, et al. "A Theoretical Model of Early Teen Sexual Behavior: What Research Tells Us about Mother's Influence on the Sexual Behavior of Early Adolescent Girls." Journal of Theory Construction & Testing 7.2 (2003): 56-60. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 18 Apr. 2011.
Today’s young Americans face strong peer pressure to be sexually active and engage themselves in risky behaviors (Merino 100-109). Anyone deciding to have sex must first think about all the risks involved. Kekla Magoon, author of Sex Education in Schools, says that “half of all teens aged 15 to 19 years old in the United States have had sex” (Magoon 64-65). It is currently not required by federal law for schools to teach Sex education and those few schools that do teach Sex education have the decision to determine how much information is allowed. Advocates from both sides of the Sex education debate agree that teens need positive influences in order to make practical decisions (Magoon 88-89). Opponents of Abstinence-only education believe it fails because it does not prepare teens for all the risks of sex (Magoon 64-65).
The “talk” about sex has never been a topic many like to discuss with tweens or teens, but it has to be addressed sometime during their lifetimes. Sex is a natural experience that is used for reproduction and the building of an emotional connection. However, many teens engage in pre-marital sex and have no knowledge about protecting themselves. Sex education teaches about human sexuality and how abstinence should be practiced to prevent sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) and unplanned pregnancies. Yet, sex education classes are mostly for those in college. Sex education is not meant to encourage sex, but hopefully steer students into having safe sex or no sex at all. Becoming aware about the consequences of having sex among the tween and teen community needs to be established and understood. If parents have a hard time giving the “talk” about sex, then the subject should be discussed with a trained individual instead of being avoided. Without knowledge teens will explore things without caution. Sources indicate that the argument to allow sex education within public schools, such as middle or high schools, is whether the benefits of learning about sex at an early age will outweigh the risks of experiencing sex without advanced knowledge.
Studies show that between 2006 and 2011 there was an average drop of about 30% of teen pregnancies and 50% of teens involved in any kind of sexual activity (not just intercourse) in America. According to a recent study as of 2008, teen birth rates in the U.S., (which have been declining for tw...
A report published by the U.S Department of Health and Human Accommodations “suggests that as many as 50% of all adolescents are sexually active” (White, 2008, p. 349). A portion of those are puerile women who will become pregnant, adolescent men who will contract a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and teenagers who will suffer from emotional distress and regret. Albeit the majority concurs inculcation is the solution to this dilemma, one q...
Life is full of changes and in the period of the adolescence the changes start to develop what a person will be in the adultness. Many factors are matured in the teenage years as an example, one of them is sexuality. Sexuality can be a very important variable in the life of an adolescent, because in this life period the sexual identity is defined. There are three strong circumstances that can define the sexual identity of an adolescent: The biological characteristic, love and pornography.
A study conducted on teens in Sweden and the Netherlands showed that teens in those countries were just as sexually active, but the teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease rate was much lower. Researchers say this is due to sex education that begins in elementary school and continues on(Bender p.13). Only ten percent of American school-age youth participate in a comprehensive program lasting at least forty hours(deMauro p.89). Teens in America also score low on questionnaires based on sexual knowledge(Gordon p.
The rise of the teen pregnancy rate has caused us to question the effectiveness of the prevention programs that are offered to adolescents. There have been several programs focused on preventing teen pregnancy from abstinence-only to more comprehensive sexual education programs. Abstinent-only advocates believe that abstaining from having intercourse is the only way to prevent unwanted teen pregnancy. While practicing abstinence is the only 100% secure method of reducing this rate, it is not a logical view. Adolescents will continue to have sexual behavior, and it is important in teaching them more precise education when it comes to sex education. With-holding important information and facts about sexual behavior can change an adolescents’ life forever. Whether it be from teen pregnancy or from a life threatening STD.
(1985) Sexual education and sexual experience among adolescents. American Journal of Public Health: Vol. 78, No. 1, pp. 113-117. 75, No. 58, No.
How much sexual knowledge adults should give to adolescents has been discussed for decades to decrease teenage pregnancy and sex related diseases. According to The National Campaign to prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy (2013), the U.S. has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy among developed countries, and about sixty eight girls per thousand became pregnant in 2008. To change this situation, the U.S. provides two kinds of sex education: abstinence-only sex education and comprehensive sex education. In contrast, Japan has one of the lowest rates among developed countries. Summing up the birth and abortion dates, at least 34,220 girls became pregnant in 2011 (Japanese Ministry of Health, 2011). Even though Japan has less teen pregnancy, lack of practical sexual knowledge has caused several tragic incidents in recent years. To give sexual knowledge to children, Japan provides fact-based sex education. Moreover, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are becoming serious problem recently. According to World Health Organization, 490 million people get STIs yearly (2013). To avoid teen pregnancy and STIs, sex education plays an important role for adolescents. However, because there are several programs, what adolescents learn is different depending on the kinds of sex education. Among the three kinds of programs provided in the U.S and Japan, comprehensive sex education is the most effective one. This paper focuses on the sex educations in the U.S and Japan and describes their features and effectiveness.
In the United States, it should be very important to discuss the importance of abstinence among young people of the ages 10 through 25. In industrialized countries, it is very common that teenagers would start indulging in sexual activities at the same age. Studies have proven that adolescences sexual behavior helps to increase self-esteem and identity formation, which helps with the social and romantic interactions in their society. Studies have shown that these behaviors and characteristics are relevant to birth and pregnancy rates, as well as to the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The centers for Disease Control
“Teens are confused by messages that are non-directive about risk-taking and optimal health” (Abstinence Is The Best Policy). Sex Ed programs are confusing young adults and are not being clear about the dangers of teens having sex. “Early sexual activity is associated with an increased risk of STDs, reduced psychological and emotional well-being, lower academic achievement, teen pregnancy, and out-of-wedlock childbearing” (Abstinence Education Programs). Sexual activity at a young age is resulting in so many unwanted situations and a clear message about abstinence could be the best preventative measure to take. Preaching abstinence will not only educate the youth about consequences of sexual activity but also give a clear message about what would happen if they were in that
Martinez, Gladys, Joyce Abma, and Casey Copen. “Educating Teenagers About Sex In The United States”. CDC.GOV. Center of Disease Control and Prevention, 15 Sept. 2010. Web. 09 Feb.2014
According to the Advocates for Youth organization, “sex education is the cause of healthy sexual behavior and results in the decline of teen pregnancy.” This could be because sex education teaches young people about sex from a biological and scientific standpoint. Thus, explaining why teens physically feel a certain way when puberty happens. It answers lingering questions about the b...