Early Sex Education - Research Paper Example

?Sex education has become imperative in today’s modern world where children are more outgoing and social. The changing social and cultural conditionshave made a huge impact on the minds of the people especially among teenagers and young adults. Several organizations and governments across the world have stressed on the need for sex education in schools as the initial values instilled within a child contributes to a great length to their overall development and behavior. Early sex education will help children to gain a better understanding about their bodies and sexuality which will help prevent sexual abuse and misunderstanding of sexual preferences. “Nowadays with the rapid growth of information, sex information is everywhere. Children are curious about sex.” (Sex Education at Home). The changing social and cultural conditions have made a huge impact on the minds of the people and more so among teenagers. There are a lot of issues pertaining to the development of teenagers particularly with regard to their sexual development. One of the most commonly encountered problems by the teenagers of today deals with their sexual desires and the age at which it is expressed. Teen pregnancy has also risen worldwide over the years which is mainly attributed to the lack of knowledge about abstaining from sex at very young age and the precautions that can be taken if in case they engage in sex. Teenage pregnancy is associated with the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, low-birth weight children, and in addition also affects the studies and subsequent career of teenagers. This has resulted in an increased dependence on sex education to help young children learn about sex (Rector and Johnson). With the rapid growth in information, the term sex is being often used in today’s world. Thus it has become a matter of importance to teach young children about the correct concepts regarding sexual matters before they become misled by inappropriate information provided by the media and other resources (Sex Education at Home). It is vital to begin sex education programs before children reach puberty and it should continue as long as children are able to make correct judgments about sexual practices (Sex education that works). In this modern age teenagers are increasingly eager to express their sexual desires and as a result are left to deal with the consequences of their actions. One of the major recent problems associated with early expression of sexual desires is teen pregnancy. These issues have stressed the need and importance of sex education both at home and educational institutions in order to ensure good reproductive health and general wellbeing of children. Sex education in schools becomes even more warranted in cases where parents do not have appropriate education and resources to guide their children. It is the moral right of every child, especially girls, to be provided with sex education as it will help to prevent unwarranted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and conditions such as suicide (Gabriela Women’s Party). It has been widely believed that youth should abstain from making decisions about their sexual preferences until they are at least 18 years of age or in other words till they complete their high school as research suggest that such children are able to perform better in their academics and are less likely to become school-drop outs. It has been shown that children expelled from school due to the poor performance are less likely to do well in their life as they are left with little success in all their endeavors (Rector and Johnson). This has led to an increased focus on sex education for children right from a young age. Many people have argued against detailed sex education for children with the fear that they may negatively influence them. However, frightening people about sex and sexual practices have not helped them understand the morality of sex. “Attempts to impose narrow moralistic views about sex and sexuality on young people through sex education have failed.” Only effective sex education will help people to rationally analyze sexual practices. (Sex education that works). Educating children about the positive impact of sexual abstinence while they are young is also being considered old-fashion among the present generation of youth. Thus it becomes impertinent that the negative influences of the education on sexual abstinence be negated by emphasizing the many positive effects that it could bring in the life of a teenager. Such an education can be imparted both at home, as many parents support such sexual abstinence programs, as well as in schools in order to provide a constant access for the teenagers to such programs. Studies have shown that teaching children and adolescents about abstinence from sex has resulted in a lesser rate of school drop-outs and increased graduation rates from college. This has been attributed to increased impulse control and focus exhibited by the teenagers on their future life by acting in a planned manner and controlling their emotions and sexual desires. In addition such teenagers also possess delay of gratification by which they are able to set aside immediate pleasures in order for them to work for the future and earn better rewards. They also develop the ability to resist peer pressure in matters concerning sexual activity and become more focused on their academic and personal development. They are also able to exhibit better frustration tolerance and also program their adolescent minds to concentrate on the better opportunities in life rather than arousing sexual fantasies. (Rector and Johnson). The major objectives of sex education should be to help children understand the body of the two sexes and also about childbirth. This will help the child to accept the changes that occur within their body as they grow and also that of others (Sex Education at Home). Early sex education should begin at home and parents are responsible for teaching their children about sex using appropriate materials and through effective communication. In addition school-based sex-education can also help children to gain a wider knowledge about sexual issues (Sex Education at Home; Sex education that works). There is no longer any debate about the need for sex education in schools as a large consensus about the requirement of sex education in schools has already been reached. A recent poll conducted by the NPR, Kaiser family foundation and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government has found that majority of parents in America are in support for sex education in schools. “A new poll…..finds that only 7% of the Americans say sex education should not be taught in schools.” Thus a majority of Americans have acknowledged the growing need for teaching sex to children in school (Sex Education in America). There are various debates about what should be taught in sex education classes. While a minority of Americans believes that schools should only teach sexual abstinence, a majority of the people believe that in addition to abstinence children should also be taught about birth control and contraception which would help them in situations where they were unable to refrain from sex (Sex Education in America). Sex education in schools should encompass topics related to sexual development and reproduction, contraception and birth control and also about relationships and the importance of marriage and commitment (Sex education that works). Many pediatricians have recommended that in addition to counseling teenagers to postpone sexual activity it is also impertinent that they educate them about birth control measures and also ensure proper access to emergency contraception which would be vital in cases such as unintended or forces sexual intercourse. Mere teaching of abstinence from sex would only increase the likelihood of teenagers having unprotected sex when they later develop a willingness to do so. Even when the sexual intercourse is unintended they would be unable to ration the importance of following birth control measures which might eventually lead to unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases. With the increasing number of teenagers engaging in sexual activities it become more pertinent that they be duly educated by counselors and medical professionals about birth control (Tanner). School sex education programs should be effective so that students get the message in a manner appropriate to their age and understanding. While very young children can be taught about how people grow and how babies are formed and their growth, older children should be provided with additional details about sexual health. In case of teenagers, risky behaviors of unsafe sexual practices, factors that influence the sexual behavior of children, sexual abstinence and information about the use of contraceptive method need to be explained in greater detail. Sex education programs should also include communication and assertive skills by which students can deal with peer pressure in issues related to sex. The teaching methods should relate to the age, experience and cultural background of the children so that they will be able to personalize the information provided to them. In addition, sex educators should also provide constant access to information pertaining to sex and should constantly support students through training and consultation (Sex education that works). Teaching sexual abstinence and safe sexual practices for teenagers has its share of advantages and disadvantages, research has shown that such programs are hugely beneficial in helping teenagers realize the right age at which they should explore their sexual behavior. Only when teenagers are constantly exposed to such programs the chances of understanding their sexual preferences increases which would have a positive influence on their ability to make wise decisions (Rector and Johnson). Thus given the present change in lifestyles sex education in schools has become a necessity in order to protect the health and welfare of future generations. Exposing children to the various negative consequences associated when they engage in sexual practices voluntarily or involuntarily has become the need of the hour given the alarming increase in teen pregnancy rates and forced sex through rape and other means. Reference 1 “On the need for children’s sex education”. Gabriela Women’s Party; Salinlahi. ABSCBNnews.com. 7 Apr. 2010. Web. 7 March 2013. http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/insights/07/04/10/need-childrens-sex-education 2 Rector, Robert and Johnson, A Kirk. “Teenage Sexual Abstinence and Academic Achievement.” The Heritage Foundation. 27 Oct. 2005. Web. 7 March 2013 http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2005/10/teenage-sexual-abstinence-and-academic-achievement 3 “Sex Education at Home.” Department of Health. Studenthealth.gov.hk. 2010. Web. 7 March 2013. http://www.studenthealth.gov.hk/english/resources/resources_bl/files/lf_se_fse.pdf 4 “Sex education that works.” Avert. n.d. Web. 7 March 2013. http://www.avert.org/sex-education.htm 5 “Sex Education in America.” The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. n.d. Web. 7 March http://www.kff.org/newsmedia/upload/Sex-Education-in-America-Summary.pdf 6 Tanner, Lindsey. “Pediatrician group urges teen access to birth control”. Boston Globe. 5 July 2005. Web. 7 March 2013 http://www.religiousconsultation.org/News_Tracker/pediatrician_group_urges_teen_access_to_birth_control.htm Read More