Sex Education: Early Adolescence - Research Paper Example

Sex Education: Early Adolescence Abstract Sex related crimes and violence are growing day by day in our society and many people believe that lack of sex education is the major reason behind it. Children during their developmental stages, especially during early adolescence, will under huge changes both physically and mentally because of the growth of sex hormones. The influence of these sex hormones will destroy the abilities of children to segregate between good and evil. Sex education is necessary to the children of all ages to in order to help them to overcome the pressures of sex hormones and also to stay away from sex related crimes and violence. This paper analyses the importance of sex education to children during their early adolescence period. Sex Education: Early Adolescence “In 2000, approximately 20,000 teenagers between the ages of 10 and 14 became pregnant. Of these pregnancies, an estimated 14% ended in miscarriages, 43% in live births, and 43% in elective abortions”(Haglund, 2006, p.2). The age between 13 and 16 is often considered as the early adolescence period. It is a period of transition from childhood to adolescence. Children during this period may undergo rapid physical as well as psychological growth. Sex hormones will also be started to develop during this period. Development of sex hormones will force immature children to experiment sexual activities because of their unawareness about the consequences of under aged sex. Premature pregnancy, abortions, early parenting, and sexually transmitted diseases etc are some of the consequences of under aged sex. All these consequences can affect the life of the victim in one way or another. Therefore sex education is necessary to prevent children to stay away from sex activities during adolescence. Consequences of unwanted pregnancies Biological, psychological and social vulnerabilities are waiting for the children who are engaged in sexual activities during early adolescence. It should be noted that sex activities during early adolescence were often been occur in an unsafe environment. “Between the years 2000 and 2003, 14,669persons aged 13 to 24 were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 32 states”(Haglund, 2006, p.2). Unsafe sex is the major reason for AIDS like sex related epidemic. Because of the absence of proper knowledge about safe sex behaviors, children often engage in unnatural sex activities under the influence of sex hormones. These unnatural and unsafe sex activities may cause severe diseases and their physical health could be in trouble. Lavikainen et al. (2009) pointed out three aspects of sexual risk-taking behaviors among teenagers; “early activity, unprotected sexual intercourse and having sex with multiple partners” Lavikainen et al., 2009, p.208). Early sexual activities can cause more harm than good. It should be noted that sex is in activity which requires the coordination of body and mind. If performed properly, it provides physical satisfaction as well as mental satisfaction. Children during their adolescence may not be able to perform sex activities properly so that both the partners derive physical as well as psychological pleasure out of it. Unprotected sex and sex with multiple partners often bring unwanted results. Instead of getting psychological pleasure these activities can bring sexually transmitted diseases. In short, sex is an activity which should be performed with utmost care. Sex education is necessary for the teenagers to handle their sexual activities carefully. Unsafe sex often ends up in unwanted pregnancies. Unwanted pregnancies will put huge burdens upon the shoulder of the victim. Only after getting pregnant, the victim may think about the consequences. Unwanted pregnancies during early adolescence often end up in abortions. Abortions can cause physical as well as psychological problems to the victim. The victim could be put under moral and ethical dilemmas with respect to abortions. Deliberate abortions are often considered a sin by many religions. So, religious people may not perform abortions even if the pregnancy happens to be unwanted one. Such people will keep their pregnancies intact and become mothers at the age of 13, 14 or 15. It is extremely difficult for a girl of such a smaller age to bear the responsibilities and handle the pressures of motherhood. It should be noted that these teenage mothers are often forced to manage the responsibilities of the child alone because of the absence of husbands. Moreover, they will often undergo severe criticisms from the family and society. All these pressures are unmanageable for a child during her early adolescence. Importance of sex education during early adolescence Sexuality education programs have been prevalent in U.S. public schools for decades. Although strong public support exists for school-based sexuality education, there is a great divide among parents, policy makers, and the public at large regarding how to prevent sexual activity (and its negative consequences) among teenagers. Most adults surveyed believe that sex education programs should promote abstinence as the best behavioral goal for adolescents; however, more heated debate surrounds whether this should be the only message or one element of a more comprehensive presentation of safer sex choices (Walcott et al., 2011, p.828) America is a country which is struggling to get rid of social problems such as teenage pregnancies, same sex marriages, homosexuality, abortions etc. Since American society is one of the most liberal societies in the world, upcoming generation enjoys huge freedom in their personal and social lives. These freedoms are often misused by them knowingly or unknowingly. It should be noted that in fundamental societies such as Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan, teenage pregnancies are comparatively low because of the strong control of religion upon social life. But in America, the influence of religion upon social and family circles are getting decreased day by day. The destruction of religious beliefs forced teenage community to accept crazy life styles. Parents, teachers, social activists, and the government have an important role to play in streamlining the lives of teenage community in the right track. Generally, parents are reluctant in clearing the doubts of children with respect to sexual activities. Same way children are not much interested in getting their sex related doubts cleared from their parents. Only educated parents sometimes try to give some tips about sexual activities to their children and that also in an indirect manner. Children during early adolescence are normally getting sex related tips from their friends. Since their friends are often coming from their own age groups, these tips could be immature and unrealistic. Those who try to experiment sexual activities based on such immature and improper advises may often fell in troubles. In order to avoid such mishaps, it is necessary to provide sex education to children from reliable sources. Since parents have limitations in providing sex education to their children, schools can definitely play an important role in providing enough sexual awareness to teenage children. Sex education should be included as a subject in school curriculums, especially at 8th, 9th and 10th standards. Sex related subjects should be taught in classes just like other subjects like Physics or Mathematics. Topics such as importance of safe sex; methods of safe sex; consequences of unsafe sex and how to get rid of sexual energy should be dealt in detail in classes. According to a study conducted by Kay et al. (2010), “health education teachers contribute to the quality of teaching and the learning process of sex education. They play a critical role in designing and implementing sex education courses” (Kay et al., 2010, p.10). Social activists are contributing heavily to health education of the people. Sex education should be included in health education so that health education teachers can contribute heavily in this segment also. Turnbull et al. (2011) mentioned about “using multimedia computer programs to educate and increase communication about sexual matters within families” (Turnbull et al., 2011, p.240). The influence of computers on teenage generation is growing day by day. Early adolescence is a period in which children show increased appetite towards computers and internet. Well-designed multimedia computer programs can help children to learn more about the realities and necessities of sexual activities. It should be noted that sex is a topic which is often considered as a private topic. Most of the people like to keep privacy in their sexual activities. Children often rely on sex related printed materials and books for getting more awareness about sex related topics. Books and printed materials often help them in getting their sex related doubts cleared and also to keep their privacy intact. Same way computers also can help children to learn more about sex topics individually so that their privacy could not be spoiled. In short, education through computers can be considered as a feasible option to educate teenagers with respect sex related topics. Conclusions Early adolescence is a turning point in everybody’s life. It can make or break a person. The shaping of characters, behaviors and personality are taking place during this period because of the rapid developments in physical as well as mental attributes. It is difficult for the children to segregate between good and evil in sex activities during their adolescence because of the huge influence of sex hormones. Unwanted pregnancies, abortions, sexually transmitted diseases, social isolations, destruction of physical and mental health etc are some of the consequences of unsafe sex activities during adolescence. Lack of awareness is forcing children to experimenting risky sexual activities. Sex education is necessary to children during their early adolescence in order to get rid of the pressures exerted by sex hormones. Sex education helps them to know the consequences of unsafe sex activities and to stay away from it. Schools, parents, social activists, healthcare professionals and the government can contribute a lot in educating the teenage children with respect to the consequences of unsafe sex. Sex education should be included as a subject in school curriculums to provide enough awareness to teenagers with respect to sex activities. References Haglund K. (2006). Recommendations for Sexuality Education for Early Adolescents. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, Volume 35, No. 3 (May 2006). DOI: 10.1111/j.1552-6909.2006.00048.x, Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ j.1552-6909.2006.00048.x Kay N.S., Jones M. R. & Jantaraweragul S (2010). Teaching Sex Education in Thailand. ICHPER -- SD Journal of Research in Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport & Dance Fall/Winter2010, Vol. 5 Issue 2. EBSCOHost Lavikainen, H.M., Lintonen, T & Kosunen, E.(2009). Sexual behavior and drinking style among teenagers: a population-based study in Finland. Health Promotion International, Jun2009, Vol. 24 Issue 2, p108-119 EBSCOHost Turnbull T., Anna V.W. & Paul V.S. (2011). Parents as Educators of Sex and Relationship Education: The Role for Effective Communication in British Families Health Education Journal, v70 n3 p240-248 Sep 2011. EBSCOHost Walcott C.M., Chenneville, T. & Tarquini, S. (2011), Relationship between Recall of Sex Education and College Students' Sexual Attitudes and Behavior. Psychology in the Schools, v48 n8 p828-842 Sep 2011. EBSCOHost Appendix 1. Introduction General ideas about the necessities of sex education and the problems associated with lack of sex education among children during their early adolescence period 2. Consequences of unwanted pregnancies Unwanted pregnancies are the major consequences of teenage sex. Teenage pregnancies can cause physical, psychological and social problems. 3. Importance of sex education during early adolescence Sex education helps children to learn more about sex activities and control their sex activities. It can be provided by parents, teachers, social activists etc. 4. Conclusions Sex education is a must for children during their early adolescence. Read More