Human Sexuality - Research Paper Example

Running head: SEX EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM Sex Education in the School System Scott K. Okamoto Arizona The study deals with the need of sex education in school systems. After succinctly introducing the scope of this topic, the paper brings in light certain preconceptions hampering the status of sex education is schools. Discussing four major concepts associated with sex education, the study delves into scholastic evidence behind them. Based primarily on researches conducted by authentic sources, the paper studies interconnection of sex education with an over all development of students. Sex Education in School Systems Considering the augmenting figures of problems caused primarily because of unawareness of healthy sexual practices, the importance of including sex education as a part of the school curriculum cannot be denied. Educating students primarily lead to self development. At an extensive level it results in social welfare (Williams, 1968, p.51). On such grounds of immense scope, the topic of Sex Education has been chosen. b. Was your topic of choice new to you…had you done research into it previously? (2pts) If applicable, discuss what you already knew about your topic Preconceptions about Sex Education Many preconceptions are responsible for a generally negative attitude towards sex education in schools. One such preconception advocates that sex education at an early stage increases the curiosity of young students thereby leading to an early sexual experimentation. Contrary to this misconception, a research on sex education reveals that educating students about human sexuality and their moral implications discourages instances of premature practices (Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2000, p.4). Concepts of Sex Education Like all the fields of knowledge, sex education environs a wide range of concepts that are not generally know. Sex education is coalesced with some specialized concepts. Some of them are as follows, 1. Life skills education 2. Sex education as an information policy tool. 3. Sexual Diversity Wheel 4. Democratization in Sex Education Sex Education in the light of Scholarly Research The concept of educating pupils about sex at school pertains to two major reasons. Firstly, learning at an early level is more profound (Wetzstein, 2007, p. A07). Secondly, inculcating among their peers establishes a collaborative understanding of the concepts. Often misperceived as a way of ameliorating their physical lives only, sex education also develops the children emotionally and morally (Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2000, p.3). Owing to the effectiveness of sex education, its practice in schools has increased at a fast pace over the last few decades. According to the studies of Oettinger, from 1979 to 1994 the percentage of sex educated students augmented from 47 to 90 percent (Sabia, 2006, p.783) thereby implying the success of the program. 1. Life skills based education ‘LSBE refers to an interactive process of teaching and learning which enables learners to acquire knowledge and to develop attitudes and skills which support the adoption of healthy behaviours’ (UNICEF). 2. Sex education as an information policy tool Sex education as an information policy tool means the concept of introducing and implementing sex education as a state policy. 3. Sexual Diversity Wheel Sexual Diversity Wheel is a concept that associates sex education with an acknowledgement of differential practices and perceptions of sex and sexuality across cultures (Sears, 1997). 4. Democratization in Sex Education The concept of democratization in sex education pertains to the consideration of sex equity and acknowledgement of minorities manifested in the sex education curriculum. Various diseases are transmitted through sexual malpractices leading to epidemics, bacterial infections, vaginal infections, viral Infections and ectoparasitic infestations (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2008, Ch. 16). The use of sex education as a tool of information policy brings in light the increasing expenses of increasing birth rate as a result of early pregnancies as well as the costs of abortions and treatments (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2008, Ch. 11). Sexual Diversity Wheel pertains to the concept of differences like the level of sexism, gender roles and stereotypes that vary across cultures (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2008, Ch. 6). As sex equity is addressed through sex education, democratization in terms of sexual orientation has become one of the vital concerns in sex education. By this frame of thought, democratization would involve the treatment of homosexuals, bisexuals and asexuals on an equal footing as that of heterosexual orientation (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2008, Ch.10). Yankah & Aggleton believes that life skills education connects the concept of sex education with the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases like HIV and AIDS (2008, p.466). Sex education is often reckoned as an information policy tool. According to Sabia, what makes sex education articulated with policy making is an attempt to reduce the costs of sexual malpractices like teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (2006, p.783). For Sears, the sex diversity wheel provides a holistic approach to educate a multicultural class about sex and sexuality through a framework of five concentric circles namely biological sex, gender identity, gender role, sexual behavior and sexual identity (1997). In the contemporary world, sex education has been democratized by fostering sex equity within classrooms and by rejecting the previous explanations about female sexuality as a repressed part of heterosexual relationship (Carmody, 2005, p.12). Similarly, modern sex education is not based on an institutionalized heterosexual relationship as a normative practice because the concept of queer sexuality has come as a major dimension of sex education (Jackson & Scott, 2004, p.236). Conclusion Being formally commenced during the mid 1900s, sex education in schools holds utmost importance in the contemporary times. As the topic invites debates from different perspectives, it also offers a scope of research and analysis in the field. Due to these research works, concepts like morality politics, life skills education, sexual diversity wheel and democratization of sex education have emerged. Such works need to be implemented in the future sex education policies by adjusting the sex education curriculum with an effective and outcome oriented strategy. This paper not only provided a deeper understanding of the learnt concepts, but also provided an opportunity of being acquainted with several new ideas as explained above. By studying research works from different standpoints and coming to know about the frail basis of misconceptions about sex education, the assignment helped in strengthening the viewpoint of sex education as a positive change in the field of education. References Carmody, M. (2005). Ethical Erotics: Reconceptualizing Anti-Rape Education. Sexualities, 8(4), 465–480. Retrieved February 23, 2009 from Sage Publications http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/content/refs/8/4/465 Department for Children, Schools and Families. (2000, July). Sex and Relationship Education Guidance. Retrieved February 23, 2009 from http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/sreguidance/sexeducation.pdf Jackson,S. & Scott, S. (2004). Sexual Antinomies in Late Modernity. Sexualities, 7(2), 233–248. Retrieved February 23, 2009 from Sage Publications http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/7/2/233 Rathus, S. A.,Nevid, J.S., & Fichner-Rathus, L.(2008). Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity. UK: Allyn & Bacon. Sabia, J.J. (2006). Does Sex Education Affect Adolescent Sexual Behaviors and Health? 25(4), 783-802. Retrieved February 23, 2009, from ERIC database http://web.ebscohost.com.library.capella.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=1&hid=112&sid=ea87f30b-4305-4deb-8b46-07d53eb7ff73%40sessionmgr102 Sears, J. (1997, September 1). Centering Culture: Teaching for Critical Sexual Literacy Using the Sexual Diversity Wheel. Journal of Moral Education, 26(3), 273- 283. Retrieved February 23, 2009, from ERIC database http://web.ebscohost.com.library.capella.edu/ehost/detail?vid=1&hid=104&sid=b8eac7ce-a367-4cd2-865c-f17078ddbc43%40sessionmgr103&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#AN9708301410-2 The United Nations Childrens Fund. Life Skills. Retrieved February 23, 2009 from http://www.unicef.org/lifeskills/index_4105.html Wetzstein, C. (2007, December 20). Sex-ed found to prolong teen virginity; Two Studies concur. The Washington Times, p. A07 Williams, S.R. (1968). Family Life and Sex Education. NASSP Bulletin, 52(49), 49- 55. Retrieved February 23, 2009 from Sage Publications http://bul.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/52/326/49 Yankah, E. & Aggleton, P. (2008). AIDS Education and Prevention, 20(6), 465-485. Retrieved February 23, 2009 from ProQuest Education Journals http://proquest.umi.com.library.capella.edu/pqdweb?index=10&did=1615015311&SrchMode=2&sid=1&Fmt=6&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1235326533&clientId=62763 Read More