The Term Young Adult - Essay Example

Educating Young Adults about Sex The term young adult pertains to males and females aged 10-19. Statistics show that in past years the number of young adults either getting married or having children have been increasing significantly. The most alarming statistic, however, is that there are young adults already living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which can eventually develop to a non-curable and life-threatening disease in the form of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS (McCauley et al). The world that people are living in the present era was formed by conservative people who think that sex or sexuality is an offensive topic for unmarried people. With the statistics presented, there is an understandable need for sex education for young adults. It is not only the married couples who need to be informed of the consequences of sexual activities if as young adults they engage in pre-marital and unprotected sex. Though the present world is also being referred to as the modern world, there are still nations and groups who are very conservative with regards to their way of thinking (Klein 40-5). It was during the early part of the 20th century that females started to gain attention to the world and the society. As this happens, males started to appreciate females. Females started to receive the same subjects in school in comparison to their male counterparts. There are certain subject matters that were added to the females’ curriculum to continue inculcating their traditional role in the society (Klein 47; Measor et al 1-2). Even in this conservative period, sex education has been introduced in high school curriculum. When the subject was introduced in school, considerations were made since there were recognized genders present during those times. The reason why the subject was introduced is to restrain the young male’s growing sexuality. At present, sex education is still being considered as one the most politicized and scandalous feature in an academe’s curriculum (Klein 47; Measor et al 1-2). Sex education during the adolescent period however is perceived to increase the curiosity of some young adults as to how the act itself would feel. Instead of controlling the budding sexuality, it even ignited more the curiosity of not just the males but also of the females as well. There has been an increase in sexually transmitted disease that the society would like to eradicate. As the 20th century progresses, the need for sexual education also advanced (Klein 47). During the late part of the 20th century, 19% of the world’s population belonged to the 10-19 years old age bracket or the young adult age group. The number of young adults who engaged in pre-marital intercourse also increased same as the percentage of teenage pregnancy. Therefore the academic institution failed to fulfill the aim of the inclusion of sex education in the curriculum during the earlier part of the century. Unmarried mothers also got younger every year (Klein 47-50; McCauley et al). Even if sex is still being considered as a very sensitive topic especially if discussed to young adults, sex should be well explained as to what the effects and consequences would be if one will perform the act without protection. This is not a typical subject for a conversation especially if it would be between parents and children. However, there is a massive need for this information to be disseminated to the young adults. One just needs to listen and have an open mind to understand issues related to the act. The International Planned Parenthood Federation has noted that approximately 111 million occurrences for new cases of sexually transmitted disease are included in the age group 10 to 24 years old yearly. It is quite alarming because this statistical data just shows how much of the young adult population are performing sexual intercourse before marriage and before they have even reached adulthood. Parents should be aware of the behaviors of their children. It is not enough to tell children what or what not to do. Responsible parents should clearly explain that though males and females are bound to commit sexual acts, the said act should be undertaken with only one partner after marriage and not before (Payne). International proposals have been made on how sexual topics and issues should be taught in schools. Teachers would be given guidelines as to how sexual topics such as a person’s physical being, relationships and the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) can be taught. The proposal has been the result of 80 studies conducted in a 2-year period. United Nations (UN) spearheaded and funded the studies and proposal. The main objective of the project was “to help member countries improve sex education and sexual health, reduce the contraction of sexually-transmitted diseases and prevent illegal abortions (Payne).” It is not just the UN that is making steps towards educating young adults about sex and the subjects related to it, data and information are also being spread in different forms of media such as the internet. The website of Planned Parenthood Federation of America gives an overview about sexually related topics. If a parent does not feel that comfortable or confident talking to their child or children with regards to sex, this website would be an advisable educational material containing information about the subject. Though the federation aims to educate females about their rights and bodies, it also have topics about birth control that male should consider before actually having an intercourse (PlannedParenthood.Org). If an unmarried couple cannot avoid performing sexual intercourses, they should be using protection during the intercourse and also remain loyal with their partners. Such loyalty will minimize the number of young adults being affected by sexually–transmitted diseases. This will also lessen the number of unwanted pregnancies among teenagers. Unwanted pregnancies often result to the increasing number of abortions not just in the United States but worldwide. One of the aims of Planned Parenthood which could be adapted by the UN and the education sector of each nation is “to provide educational programs which enhance understanding of individual and societal implications of human sexuality (PlannedParenthood.Org).” A large portion of the young adult’s population has sexual intercourse before marriage. Therefore sex can be considered as another important subject in school. It is not a subject aimed in teaching how sexual act should be performed yet it is to teach young adults what to do once they are faced in situations when they will decide whether to do it or not. Sex education is to teach young adults the consequences of committing an act which only a married couple should do. The latter statement should be reiterated over and over again until a person fully and truly understands what it means. Sex is an act for married couples. According to Bible.Com Fornication is not just tolerated in our society but is actually being encouraged. The sin of fornication is being committed even among Christians, as many couples "live together" and have sex before marriage.” Just to have a worldly pleasure, people especially young adults commit sins by doing an act which is considered as an act for married couples to populate the world. Educating young adults about sex should not be a topic if these young adults have been taught that sexual act is for couples who have their union already blessed. Education is not the best defense in eradicating the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases and in lowering the number of unwanted pregnancy. Bible.Com further states that: Young people today need to be taught to abstain from sexual intercourse and remain pure virgins before marriage. So many problems in marriages today stem from the fact that they are not virgins when they marry. Young people are bringing wounded emotions and diseased bodies into their marriages because of prior promiscuous affairs. There are young adults who cannot wait to lose their virginity. This statement is applicable to both the male and female genders. For the male members of the population, maybe losing their virginity would give them a certain edge compared to their fellow males who still have not fulfilled any sexual acts. However for the females, losing their virginity should be given serious consideration prior to performing the act. On the conservative side, a woman’s virginity is and will always be the greatest gift that can be given to the husband. It will give the marriage a greater foundation knowing that the sexual act was made with the sacred blessing. As part of the sex education to be taught to young adults in the academe, teachers should introduce to the young adults of today the importance of waiting for the right time to perform such sexual acts. Sometimes the best way to eliminate or minimize the number of young adults either getting pregnant at a very young age, have an abortion or be infected by sexually-transmitted diseases would be from abstaining sexual acts which are not meant to be done by unmarried couples. How safe is safe sex that medical institutions are promoting? Is the sex education being taught at schools truly informed young adults of the consequences when one commits pre-marital and unprotected sex? The best education about these practices should be done by parents. It is not an offensive subject that should be avoided. Sex is a subject that changes lives of young adults who are not well-informed about sex and too curious about their physical self and perform acts to feel more confident. Young adults should be guided as to why sex education is being given to them at the academe. It is not to satisfy their sexual curiosity but to reiterate the importance of abstaining from such acts until a union will be blessed by the laws of men and of God. Works Cited Aggleton, Peter, Andrew Ball, and Purnima N. Mane. Sex, Drugs and Young People: International Perspectives. Oxon, OX: Routledge. 2006. Print. Altchek, Albert and Liane Deligdisch. Pediatric, Adolescent, & Young Adult Gynecology. West Sussex, UK: Blackwell Publishing, Ltd. 2009. Print. Klein, Susan K. Sex Equity and Sexuality in Education. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press. 1992. Print. “What Does the Bible Say About...FORNICATION?” Bible.Com. Ministries. 2011.Web. McCauley, Ann P. and Cynthia Salter. “Meeting the Needs of Young Adults.” Population Reports, Series J, No. 41. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and Population Information Program. October 1995. Print. Measor, Lynda, Coralie Tiffin, and Katrina Miller. Young Peoples Views on Sex Education: Education, Attitudes, and Behaviour. London, UK: Routledge Falmer. 2000. Print. Payne, Niki. “Sex Education Among Young Should Hit International Classroom.” Daily 49er. Long Beach, CA: Student Publication of California State University Long Beach. Web. 6 October 2009. . PlannedParenthood.Org. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. Web. 2012. . Powell, Anastasia. Sex, Power and Consent: Youth Culture and the Unwritten Rules. Melbourne, AU: Cambridge University Press. 2010. Print. Sowell, Thomas. The Vision of the Anointed: Self-congratulation as a Basis for Social Policy. New York, NY: Basic Books. 1995. Print. Zastrow, Charles and Karen Kirst-Ashman. Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. 2010. Print. Read More