Sex Education in Schools

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Recommended: Pros and cons about sex education in schools

Sex Education
Sex education informs young people of what they need to know about sex and their risk factors. Sex education being taught in schools not only talks about sex, but makes students aware of sexual reproduction, health, and sexuality. Are teenagers being exposed to sex education to early? At what age should this subject be introduced to children? It is believed that school children engaging in sexual activity is increasing, however statistics and the media state otherwise. “A significant decrease among students, where the proportion who are sexually active declined from 59 percent in 1991 to 41 percent in 2011 (Child Trends).” The purpose of this essay is to not only state the pros and cons but to inform both parents and students of why sex education needs to be taught in schools.

Over the years the topic has gone through various changes in the public school system. The first generation taught sexual anatomy and the risk of pregnancy, but soon was criticized for not showing knowledge of reducing risky sexual behavior, which soon lead to the second generation (Rodriguez, 1). The second generation approached sexual communication, values, and making personal decisions in one’s life; although students made smarter decisions in the areas taught, it failed to introduce teens to all contraceptives, therefore risky behavior was still being shown. Following the failure of the second generation the program of “abstinence only” began. The problem with this was it not only made students aware of the contraception available to the children, therefore encouraging risky behavior. The most current generation, the practice being taught in schools today, is known as “comprehensive sexuality education”; it not only encourages young adult...

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...ve in delaying sexual debut among younger teens (Kirby). Parent and many others think otherwise; but recent statistics show that sex education is beneficial in some way to the school system.

Works Cited

Facts on American Teens' Sources of Information About Sex." Facts on American Teens' Sources of Information About Sex. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.
"Have Better Sex." Have Better Sex. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.
"Myths & Facts about Sex Education." Myths & Facts about Sex Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014
"Sex Education Stirs Controversy." USATODAY.com. N.p., 10 July 2002. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.
"Sexuality Education." International Encyclopedia of Marriage;Family. 2003, MONICA RODRIGUEZ, JEFFREY P. MORAN, and "Sex Education." Dictionary of American History. 2003. "Sexuality Education." Encyclopedia.com. HighBeam Research, 01 Jan. 2003. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.

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