Sex Education In American Schools
By improving and reconstructing the curriculum for sex education in American schools, we can provide a higher quality education for today’s youth. Though sex education has been taught for many years, there is no standardized curriculum designed for the young adults today. ... Studies have shown that parents would like more education taught in sex classes so that the youth of today are preventing unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, and so forth. Many people argue that sex education is up to the parents and religious authorities to teach, but in order to keep the young adults of our nation well informed; we cannot leave sex education solely to these authorities. Sex education is the process of acquiring or learning information and forming attitudes or beliefs about sex, sexual identity, relationships and intimacy. ... Sex education guides in developing adolescents’ skills so they make confident decisions regarding abuse, exploitation, unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV/AIDS (Forrest, 2003, p. ... Today, nearly all states recommend sex education in the classroom, but the content and length of the classes vary across the United States. ... Effective sex education develops young peoples skills in negotiation, decision-making, assertion and listening. ... Often sex education begins in high school, after many students have begun to discover and experiment with their sexuality. The sooner sex education begins the better. Many people suggest teaching sex education in a health class, but sex education needs to be taught as early as elementary school in phases, stages, or in several grade levels. ... Studies show that sex education given before a young adult is sexually active may help him or her stay abstinent. ... General life skills can be developed throughout sex education courses. ... Sex education that works also helps equip young adults with the skills to differentiate between accurate and inaccurate information. They can discuss a range of moral and social issues and perspectives on sex and sexuality.