Sex Education in Schools - Essay Example

There are some critics who argue that sex education in schools does not achieve the intended purposes. It is however important to realize the importance of offering sex education in schools which is where the young people spend most of their time, and the many benefits that sex education has. This means that policies should be put in place to ensure that sex education is part of the curriculum in the different schools. The role of parents and caregivers should however not be ignored when it comes to giving sex education to the youth.

It is important to have the realization that there are many benefits to having sex education as part of the school curriculum. This is because while most young people assume that they have the required knowledge when it comes to sex matters, most of them are very misinformed. This is because they get their information from unreliable sources such as friends who may also lack the proper information. This makes it necessary for teachers to provide the correct information to avoid negative consequences.

Sex education therefore is the process of ensuring that the relevant and correct information and attitudes about sexuality and sexual identity, intimacy and relationships, sex, and sexually transmitted infections is passed on to the relevant parties. When the information is obtained from the teacher in a regulated setting such as the classroom, the youth will gain a better understanding and therefore avoid the negative consequences of engaging in risky sexual behavior. There are many aspects of sex education, and the content is diverse.

The content in sex education includes teaching the students about their sexuality and what makes them male or female and how to deal with developments in their sexuality. In most cases, it is accepted that the goal of sex education should be to ensure that the young people are informed on their sexual health, and when they have received the necessary information, then they will be able to enjoy satisfying relationships while avoiding the risks of reckless sexual behavior which includes diseases and teenage pregnancies.

There are two main types of sex education. One type is the abstinence only type of sex education. This is the type of sex education that teaches the youth to avoid engaging themselves in sexual intercourse until such a time that they are married (Denyse and Coles 1). The other type of sex education is referred to as abstinence-plus sex education or the comprehensive sex education. This type of sex education urges the youth to postpone their first sexual encounter and also gives them information on condom use, birth control, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.