Implementing Sex Education in Schools – For the Best or the Worst?

Despite modernization, implementing sex education in schools is still a controversial topic in many countries across the world. Critics of the concept come up with many claims, some of which are true to a certain extent while others are blatantly incorrect. However, in order to arrive at any conclusion, the concept of comprehensive sex education must be fully understood under all perspectives.

What is Sex Education?

Sex education does not, by any means, only refer to behavior of sexual nature. In fact, it encompasses all information and all types of concerns related to body image, abstinence, gender, contraception, human reproduction, relationships, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and general sexual health. Sex education is based on peer-reviewed science and relies purely on evidence. The aim of such education in schools is to promote well-being and general health in a way that contributes to the appropriate development of students.

Advantages of Sex Education in Schools

1. A Potential Deterrent to Teenage Pregnancy and STDs

Through sex education, children are taught the possible consequences of engaging in unprotected sex. They also learn about pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS and contraception. A 2007 study published in the American Journal of Nursing reveals that 60 percent of sexually educated teenagers are less likely to fall pregnant or to impregnate, as compared to teenagers who have had zero exposure to sex education.

2. Teenagers Are Less Likely to Engage in Early Sex

Sex education provides a comprehensive understanding of sexual activity that has been found to delay sexual intercourse in teenagers. The National Center for Health Statistics carried out a study where data was collected on the subject. The 2012 report showed that 86 percent of girls who were not sexually educated ended up having sex before the age of 20, whereas only 77 percent who received sex education had sex before the same age. For the boys, 88 percent who were not exposed to sexual education had sex before the age of 20, as compared to only 78 percent of those who received sex education.

Cons of Sex Education in Schools

The strongest claim of critics of sex education in schools is that such type of teaching is against their religious beliefs and their sentiments. Some people strongly believe that their children should not have exposure to sexual content at such an early age. Religion is often stated as a major reason for this claim. Simply said, their religion does not allow it. They have a principle that sex is too crude for children and may be hurtful to their sentiments and they fully stand by this. When religion is brought to the forefront, it is quite difficult to raise any objection. This has led numerous schools to drop this issue of high sensitivity untouched.

So, It Is Necessary to Implement Sex Education or Not?

Sexuality forms an integral part of a person’s identity. However, the amount of information or misinformation that the person receives plays a major role in the way this sexuality is developed. Through sex education, children can differentiate the good from the bad. They are taught about the right approaches to issues of sexual nature such as pregnancy, contraception, menstruation, puberty and everything that comes along. Without sex education at schools, teenagers are more exposed to street slang of sexual nature, early sex, teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. The goal of the implementation of sex education in schools is to provide a positive development to the children’s sexuality. The aim is to make the child aware of the dangers looming around the issue of sex, as well as arm the child to become sexually responsible. Thus, sex education in schools can only have positive effects.

_{Featured Image: Telegraph}