SEx Education in Todays schools

Sex, sex, sex. It's so prevalent in everyday society. The media, television, movies, video games, advertisements, internet, books, magazines; all of these not only condone sexual promiscuity but glorify it. The children of America are subjected daily to these explicit thoughts and images. Unfortunately, we cannot protect kids from all these images. Sex is part of human nature and should not be ignored. Teens have sexual desires; their issues must be addressed and dealt with effectively. That is why ninety-five percent of schools teach some form of sex education (SIECUS). The big question is what kinds of sex education are they teaching and is it enough?

There is a huge national debate going on over what kids should and should not be taught in school about sex.

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Sexually transmitted disease

Sex Education Portfolio, 3

According to a 2000 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, one in three schools teaches abstinence only sexual education. These students are taught, quite simply, the anatomy part of sexual education and that abstaining (or not having sex until marriage) is the only way to prevent pregnancy or contraction of STDs. This program not only teaches children that the effects of sexual activity are physically harmful but also psychologically enduring. Many of the programs ignore the benefits of different contraceptives. Instead, they choose to emphasize the failure rates and side-effects of many contraceptives. They believe giving kids information on birth control encourages them to have sex.

Other schools teach comprehensive sex-education. These students are armed with as much information as possible. This includes how and where to get birth control and information about sexually transmitted diseases. Supporters of comprehensive sex-ed. feel if students are well educated, they will be empowered to make smart, healthy decisions about sex and their bodies. Many schools even make condoms available to high school students by means...