Sex Education as Non-Traditional Curriculum - Research Paper Example

Comprehensive and Abstinence Only Sex Education Sex education has become one of the most important non-traditional curriculum content that has been recently introduced to schools around the country. Previously sex was a taboo topic that was not to be discussed in public let alone with the youth in the education system, but the recent upsurge in sexual relation among the youth of the society combined with a more modern outlook towards the subject has initiated the onset of sex education in a bid to decrease the number of teenage pregnancies that have been increasing alarmingly over the last few years (Cook & Clarke 238). The argument for the introduction of this topic to the school curriculum has been the need to raise awareness among the youth about the issues concerning sex and the risks involved. The rise in teenage pregnancies has proved that keeping the topic under wraps has not helped solve matters and thus it needs to be exposed where those participating in sexual are able to have their questions answered and thus are better prepared should they deem themselves ready to interact in this manner (Ott & Santelli 416). However, differences on how to approach this subject have also emerged as a result as one group argues for the more traditional promotion of abstinence before marriage while the other advocates for a more direct approach of teaching where the youth are educated on all aspects concerning sex including protection against pregnancies and sexual transmitted diseases (Cook & Clarke 228). Though the more orthodox promoters of sex education are worried that too much information at an early age may not be the wisest decision, the question remains what withholding information on topics such as safe sex will have on the youth as overall as studies have shown that more and more teenagers are engaging in sexual activities and thus if this trend cannot be stopped would it not be better to ensure that they are taking the needed precautions to protect them from unplanned pregnancies and contraction of STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections). Statistics have shown that the average age that individuals are losing their pregnancy is between 14 – 16 years of age which means that sex education will need to be introduced at an early age if it is to have the desired effect. This statistic is alarming considering that in the earlier years, studies conducted had shown that the average age at which virginity was lost was between 16 -18 years. This shows that a decrease of two years has taken place between the times these two studies were conducted; there is also fear that the age may continue decreasing which is a disturbing thought (Ott & Santelli 425). Abstinence only programs involve sex education with regard to its avoidance until one reaches the age of maturity (18-21 years) or preferably until one is married. This program focuses on encouraging the youth to shun any form of sexual interaction and teach on the dangers of unprotected sex such as unplanned pregnancies and incurable STIs in a bid to scare the youth straight so to speak. They do not offer any alternatives on how one is able to practice safe sex if they do decide to engage in such activities and mostly paint a scary picture on the consequences of having sex at an early age. The program has mostly been promoted by the conservative groups in the country including most religious factions as they feel any other mode of sex education will be in effect promoting the engaging of sexual activities among the youth (Cook & Clarke 236). Comprehensive sex education son the other hand focuses on all aspects involving sex education including its biology, human sexual behavior and the practice of safe sex as an alternative option. This type of sex education though considered unorthodox by the conservative groups have proved to be more effective within the schools as compared to the abstinence only programs in terms of preventing teen pregnancies. Comprehensive sex education includes teaching the use of condoms and other prevention strategies with regard to STIs, the ideal age when a person is biologically ready to have sex, family planning, but also promote abstinence as an option in avoiding the consequences that come with having unprotected sex (Ott & Santelli 446). Though currently more of the schools involved in sex education practice the abstinence only program, studies have shown that those practicing the Comprehensive sex education approach have had more success with the prevention of teenage pregnancies in comparison to their abstinence counterparts (Cook & Clarke 244). The reason behind this can be said to due to the fact that the scare tactics that are frequently used in the abstinence classes are no longer effective as the amount of peer pressure piles on those who have not lost their virginity as more and more people around them engage in the practice. The abstinence only teaching attempts to convince to stop all forms of sexual activity all together, which unfortunately is harder to do nowadays with the promotion of sex all over the media and among individual’s friends and acquaintances (Kirby 35). It can also be argued that the outcome of teenage pregnancies occurs partly as a result of individuals who may not have been properly educated on means of practicing safe sex with their partners and thus it can be said that education on such topics is essential in the fight to prevent the rise of this trend before it gets out of control (Ott & Santelli 445). The argument that this type of sex education initiates a quicker entry of the youth into sexual engagements is unfounded as the initial need for sex education emerged as a result of the realization that many young people have been engaging in sex leading to the teenage pregnancies thus the breach of this subject cannot be said to be the reason that sexual interactions have risen as the trend was in existence before the introduction of sexual education. A number of arguments can also be used in the promotion of comprehensive sex education with the main one being that the youth are more likely to listen to the lessons if the feel that they are not being condemned for their practices. This is an element that occurs in the abstinence only programs as in the process of promoting abstinence they look down on those who choose to ignore this practice and thus offer no alternative solutions to this group of people (Cook & Clarke 225). The main aim of sex education is to prevent early pregnancies and contraction of STIs and not the prevention of sexual interaction between the youth thus a compromise needs to be reached with those who are unwilling to give up their sexual interactions (Kirby 26). This can be referred to as a negotiation based approach whereby society acknoledges that they may be unable to stop the youth from engaging in sexual activities, but the may still be capable of doing something concerning the negative repercussions that are involved. Though sex education has not yet been established as a standard part of the educational system, it is clear that the level of awareness amongst the youth needs to be raised if there is a chance that issues such as teenage pregnancies will be efficiently dealt with. This may mean reaching a compromise with the youth which in effect means the promotion of a more comprehensive sex education in comparison to the more orthodox abstinence only programs that are preferred by most schools (Ott & Santelli 424). It is important to note that by promoting this type of education one is not encouraging the youth to have sex, but to the contrary are ensuring that if they insist on engaging in such activities they are able to do so without paying for it with the quality of their lives. References Cook L; Clark, B. Sexual Partner Characteristics and Sexually Transmitted Diseases among Adolescents and Young Adults, 2009. Sexually Transmitted Diseases 36(4) 232 -238. Kirby, Douglas. Emerging answers 2007: Research Findings on Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 2007. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Ott, M. A; Santelli, J.S. Abstinence and Abstinence Only Education, 2007. Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology 19(5) 446 -52. Read More