Lack of Sex Education in College - Essay Example

Sex Education Analysis on similar colleges Other colleges and campuses also lack sex education and as a result the learn when it’s already too late. All colleges in America have recorded high cases of STD and unwanted pregnancies. In Harvard University there has been a high spread of sexually transmitted diseases (Moran, 2009). This is mainly caused by the irresponsible social life that the campus students are exposed to and the lack of sex education. Lack of the sex education in the colleges makes the students vulnerable to the infection, diseases and unwanted pregnancies. The students in universities are sexually active and those who have no idea of sexual education are the ones who fall victim. The social life that the students leave exposes them to situations where they have sex for fun without taking precautions between of infections and pregnancies. The use of drugs and alcohol is also another factor that enhances the widespread unwanted pregnancies and spread of STDs (FPV, 2009). The use of drugs makes the students irresponsible as it makes them irrational in their thinking. When under the influence of drugs many students lose control of themselves and they end up having random sex without protection. Lack of sex education in the colleges makes the students to use trial and error. Most of them learn from experience. To avoid this, teachers should take the responsibility on behalf of parents and educate the students about sex. Ignorance on safe sex makes the students to be more curious and they end up having unprotected sex which causes the unwanted pregnancies and STDs. The number of unwanted pregnancy in colleges has increased at an alarming rate. This is proved by the number of abortions that the college students have. It also shows the ignorance of students on sexual Education (Moran, 2009). College pharmacies also have recorded an increase sell of the emergency pills. When the students are not taught about sex they take they end up trying out sex by themselves without being fully aware of the adverse risks that they are exposing themselves to. Many colleges have not implemented sex education in their academic programs. This is because they overlook the consequences and assume that it is the responsibility of the parents to teach their children about sex. The college students are also assumed to be mature and responsible to make rational decisions on their own regarding their sexuality. In many colleges the students are exposed to the programs that involve contraception only or abstinence only (Skolinik, Clouse & Woodward, 2013). This is only accounts for half of the things that they are supposed to know about sex. Colleges should introduce comprehensive sex education that will make them have deeper understanding of sex. Colleges across America focus on virginity pledges and abstinence till marriage. This makes people to be careful till marriage and after that they become irresponsible when they are sexually active. Statistics The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- CDC research shows that in America more than seven hundred and fifty thousand girls aged between 15 and 19 become pregnant each year and majority of the cases occurs when they are in college (CDC, 2014). The research also shows that 80% of these pregnancies are unwanted or unintended. It is estimated that people who lie between the age of 15 and 22 contract nineteen million sexually transmitted diseases every year (Schools.net, 2014). This is because the students in the universities have irresponsible sexual behaviour. It is also revealed that in America two young people get HIV every hour. Students who have undergone comprehensive sex education are 50% less likely unwanted pregnancies than those who have attended programs that deal with abstinence and contraception only. Comprehensive sexuality education and emergency contraception have reduced unwanted pregnancies in colleges by 60% (CDC, 2014). In the year 2000, the emergency contraception is estimated to have prevented fifty one thousand abortions in the colleges. 65% of freshman students in colleges and high school are harassed with touching and sexual remarks due to their orientation. Almost 80% of the parents give their children sexual education and advice when the students are in college. The remaining 20% are shy or they assumed the students are taught in school. At the same time 90% of parents believe that it is important for comprehensive sex education to be introduced in the school curriculum (CDC, 2014). A vast majority of the parents agree that HIV/AIDS should be mandatory and appropriate issue in the sexual education Curriculums. Research shows that America has the highest pregnancy rates among the developed nations and 68% of the pregnancy involves young girls in high schools and colleges. UMD campus The statistics mirrors the situation in UMD campus. There are many reported cases of unwanted pregnancies, STDs, infections and abortions. This is a clear indication of the lack of sexual knowledge among the students. In the campus many students are involved in irresponsible sexual behaviour. Many students have unprotected sex which results to the spread of STIs. The using of drugs and alcohol is the major contributor of the irresponsibility. When students go for parties and other social events they use drugs which makes them forget about the risks and consequences of unprotected sex. The school does not have comprehensive sex education in the academic Curriculum. The students are regarded as mature enough to make right decisions. In the Campus there are cases of spread of HIV and Aids. This indicates that the students do not have the required understanding of sex education. The students in the school are mainly exposed to abstinence and contraception programs. This only helps a few students as they need to learn about sex comprehensively but not in parts. Sex education is not popular among the students. The information regarding sex is inaccessible to the general population of the school (Newton, 2010). This mainly affects the under graduate students as they are sexually curious. The under graduates are mostly affected because they are the most sexual active and they are exploring their sexuality. They don’t understand comprehensively sex and its repercussions. The education is unpopular to them because most of their parents assume they will learn about sex at school. Educators feel tentative and anxious in handling the topics of sex. Expected outcomes Comprehensive sex education will promote health and enhance well-being through a way that is appropriate developmentally. It will assist the youth in gaining a positive view of sexuality while providing them with skills and knowledge that is necessary for their development (McAnutly, 2012). It will also enable the students to make healthy sexual decisions in their day to day lives. Sex education helps in controlling unwanted pregnancies as it makes the students to become more responsible and accountable when undertaking sex decisions. Students will understand better the various ways of preventing sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies (Benson, 2013). It helps the students in defining their sexuality in a better way. Research also shows that introduction of comprehensive sex education in school s decreases the rates of abortions and as a result it also minimises the risks that the girls expose themselves to while carrying out the exercise. Comprehensive sex education enables the students to handle and cope with their sexual feeling. It makes the students to have control over their sexual lives. When the students understand sex it prevents them from untimely dangerous curiosity which leads to irresponsible sex. Through sex education the students are able to learn and understand sexual intimacy and they are also enlightened on their reproductive system, control of the sexually transmitted diseases and birth control (FPV, 2013). Sex education exposes the students to their gender role, gender identity, family role, sexual expression marriage relationship and intimacy. References Benson, J. (2013, April 5). CDC data reveals one-third of Americans now have an STD; nation producing venereal disease faster than college graduates . Retrieved April 30, 2014, from Natural News: http://www.naturalnews.com/039788_std_cdc_venereal_disease.html CDC. (2014 , April 7). HIV among youth. Retrieved April 30, 2014, from Centers for disease control and prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/age/youth/index.html?s_cid=tw_drdeancdc-00125 McAnulty, R. D. (2012). Sex in College: The Things They Dont Write Home about. New York: ABC-CLIO. Moran, J. P. (2009). Teaching Sex: The Shaping of Adolescence in the 20th Century. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Neil S. Skolnik, A. L. (2013). Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Practical Guide for Primary Care. New York: Springer Science & Business. Newton, D. E. (2010). Sexual Health: A Reference Handbook. New York: ABC-CLIO. Schools.net, N. (2010, May 17). 10 Truly Shocking Stats On STDs and College Students. Retrieved April 30, 2014, from Nursing Schools: http://www.nursingschools.net/blog/2010/05/10-truly-shocking-stats-on-stds-and-college-students/ Victoria, F. P. (2009). Sexuality education is a health issue. Family Planning Victoria, 1-4. Read More