Our current sex education, why doesn't it work?

In an analysis to this question we shall begin by looking into previous research and recent statistics regarding the purpose, status and effects of sex education, both in the school and in the home. The aim of this report is to explore how sex education seems to be failing in our society.

Sex education can be defined as the process of acquiring information and forming attitudes and beliefs about sex, sexual identity, relationships and intimacy. It is also about developing young people's skills so that they make informed choices about their behaviour, and feel confident and competent about acting on these choices. It is widely accepted that young people have a right to sex education, partly because it is a means by which they are helped to protect themselves against abuse, exploitation, unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS . On the topic of abuse and sexual assault, we may say that statistics show that adolescents who are not provided education on these topics, were less likely to report such matters to authorities.

Condom in the shape of an AIDS ribbon. AIDS awaren...

The ABC of Sex Education for Trainables

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We have also learned that they are far more likely to become victims of assault or sexual abuse, by not having learned ways to avoid such situations.

Since acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was first reported with great surprise and fear in 1981, it has influenced our society greatly. Schools, as a result, had to reconsider the sex education curriculum that had been practiced so far, and given a new mission, which was to prevent AIDS. However, as shown by various statistics shown in this report, the current sex education at schools, in spite of their much effort, does not work.

Previous research suggest that adolescents themselves, rate sex education as one of their most important educational needs .

We may say that sex education has two...