Sex Education

“Most opposition to sexuality education is based on the assumption that knowledge is dangerous-- that learning about sex will encourage permissive behavior. Absurd! We do not run scared in wanting to teach our youth about any other topic. Why should sexuality be different? Ignorance is not bliss…..” Sexuality textbook

How did your parent(s) handle sex education in your home? How did your school system handle sex education? What did your church teach you about sex?

Sex education programs have now been in place (at varying levels) in American schools for the past four decades. The prevalence of sexual activity and premarital pregnancy has not been reduced in any significant way during that time. Is this an argument against the effectiveness of sex education?

Topics that create the most heat regarding sex education…. Definition of alternative lifestyles vs. sin/ abnormality Abstinence vs. safe sex Availability of contraceptives Encouragement of sexual behavior

Arguments Against Comprehensive Sex Education Assumes teens cannot control their sexual drives and will have sex Assumes teens have cognitive & moral sophistocation to make healthy decisions Acceptance of a personal choice ethic of sexual behavior

Arguments Against Comprehensive Sex Education While abstinence education may be included, it is not emphasized The public relations of certain groups (e.g. Planned Parenthood) are far more noble than their practice It makes too public an area of life that is intended to be private and intimate

In a comprehensive review of 47 studies on the effects of educational programs on sexual behavior: 25 found it neither increased nor decreased the amount of sexual behavior, pregnancy rates, or prevalence of STDs 25 found it neither increased nor decreased the amount of sexual behavior, pregnancy rates, or prevalence of STDs 17 found sex ed. To be correlated with later age of first intercourse, fewer sexual partners, fewer unexpected pregnancies, and a lower prevalence of STDs 17 found sex ed. To be correlated with later age of first intercourse, fewer sexual partners, fewer unexpected pregnancies, and a lower prevalence of STDs 3 studies reported increases of sexual behavior related to sex education 3 studies reported increases of sexual behavior related to sex education

Biblical Foundation for Sex Education (How & When to Tell Your Kids About Sex) Jones & Jones) Proper order follows biblical pattern: –First from viewpoint of creation –Second from viewpoint of the fall –Third from viewpoint of redemption Out of order if we start (as many Christians do) with the fall Even more tragic than starting with the fall is the larger error of dealing only with the fall in our sex teachings We must seek to reclaim, or redeem, the goodness and intended design of sex

PARENTAL PRINCIPLES OF SEX EDUCATION (Jones: How and When To Tell Your Kids About Sex) Principle 1: For better or worse, parents are the principal sex educators. Principle 2: The best teaching of a child occur at teachable moments when discussion & instruction mesh naturally with events of daily life. Principle 3: Accurate, explicit messages are far better than vague ones.

PARENTAL PRINCIPLES OF SEX EDUCATION (Jones: How and When To Tell Your Kids About Sex) Principle 4: We can ‘inoculate’ our children against negative influences. Principle 5: Sexuality is not the most important thing in life. Put sexuality into its proper perspective. Principle 6: Our God can heal and redeem anything. We can help teens recover from mistakes and wrong choices.