Sex Education: A Subject for Revision?

Thirteen percent of teens have had vaginal intercourse by the age of fifteen while sexual activity is common in the late teen years (Abma, 2010). Out of these sexually active teens, there are approximately 750,000 pregnancies reported. The Guttmacher Institute (2010) reports 82% of these pregnancies are unintended, 59% end in birth, and more than one quarter end in abortion. These pregnancy rates are amongst the highest in developed countries (McKay, ). Even more alarming, roughly 19 million new STDs occur each year among teens with Gonorrhea and Chlamydia being extremely high (Weinstock, 2000). While the media has seized the opportunity to glamorize teen pregnancy, we as a community need to become proactive in prevention. How can teen pregnancy be prevented some might ask? The answer is simple however the solution is controversial –education. The controversy happens with how the topic of sex is taught. Religious groups and leaders teach abstinence only, while the health community would prefer comprehensive sex education. In the middle of all this controversy are America’s teens2010

Abstinence Only Religious leaders, parents and educators with strong beliefs of abstinence only programs define abstinence as delaying sex until marriage. Although to adults this may seem to be direct and concise, it’s open to interpretation for teens. From a teens perspective abstinence can be defined in terms such as postponing sex, never having vaginal intercourse, or refraining from sexual intercourse if sexually experienced. Abstinence is defined by how one behaves according to this terminology. The goal of abstinence only programs is to promote a healthy lifestyle for teens by instilling moral values into them. Teaching adolescents that abstinence is the expected standard for all school aged children and is the only way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy and STDs is a great message. Most if not all people can agree on this most important fact in the curriculum. However, with this alone the definition of abstinence is left up to the individual student for interpretation. With so much diversity among our population, no teacher can believe that every student will believe in the moral guidelines set forth with abstinence only education. Since abstinence is viewed by teens as “good behavior” teachers must find and employ a plan for the so called “rebels.” What form of outreach is available for those teens that believe touching, kissing, mutual masturbation, oral sex, and anal sex is within the guidelines of abstinence? Adolescents may still consider themselves as “virgins” as long as coitus does not occur. Abstinence does not clearly classify the other sexual encounters, leaving adolescents with only a small spectrum of information. There is not much evidence available to prove abstinence only education is the best possible solution. According to a study done by the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, theory based abstinence-only interventions “may” have an important role in preventing adolescent sexual involvement (2010).coitus2010

Comprehensive Sex Education Comprehensive sex education does not have any specific definition in use. One can gather from the definition of comprehensive that all information will be complete, including all aspect of sexual behavior and/or morals. Although abstinence until marriage is the goal, few American ’ s wait until marriage to initiate intercourse. With that being said adolescents need to be equipped with as much knowledge as possible to aid them in making the best lifestyle decisions. Data indicates the median age at first intercourse for women is 17.4 years, whereas the median age at first marriage is 25.3 years (Fields, 2004). For men the corresponding median age at first intercourse is 17.7 years, whereas the age at first marriage is 27.1 years (Fields, 2004). There is almost a decade of sexual activity between adolescence and marriage. During this time if no formal education is given about healthy relationships, protected sex, human anatomy, psychological effects and other factors that coincide with sexual activity, adolescents will become unknowledgeable adults. On the other hand, if during “comprehensive” sex education students are merely handed out condoms, this will also lead to misguided adults. Comprehensive sex education needs to be age and maturity level appropriate. In order for the education to truly be comprehensive, it needs to be a continued course from junior high school until high school is completed. Margaret J. Blythe, a medical doctor on behalf of the American Association of Pediatrics testified this to the US government:

Can Abstinence-Only and Comprehensive Education be combined? There is much debate over which method of teaching sex education is best. What is in everyone’s best interest? The best interest is a settlement on what is better for all students. Just as students have standards for subject matter such as Math, English, and Science, a standard of abstinence should as well be expected. Families, teachers, and community leaders do not crucify students who fall below educational standards. Therefore, abstinence should be held with the same regard. The new focus of sex education should a holistic approach, teaching students about the mind, body, and soul connections associated with sexual activity. If students are educated about the risks taken each time they choose to engage in sex, perhaps they will choose to stay or become abstinent. The curriculum needs to be totally reformed. First, standard expectations should be established i.e. all sexual activity is expected to be withheld until marriage. Secondly, understand that not every student will comply with the standard expectation. For those who will not comply, do not publicly demean them instead educate them on the consequences of every action taken. Thirdly, employ programs to reach students who are engaging or at risk for engaging in risky behaviors such as unprotected sex, multiple sex partners, and planned pregnancy. Most importantly teens need to know that there are consequences with every action taken, good, bad, or indifferent. There are consequences associated with abstinence as well as with sexual activity. Some of these consequences may include loss of friendships, or public ridicule. In 2008, Advocates for youth published Science and Success which confirms comprehensive sex education in schools reduced teen pregnancy, delayed initiation of sex, reduced the incidences of STI’s, and increased the use of contraception and condoms among sexually active teens. holistic 2008

“Children and adolescents need accurate and comprehensive education about sexuality to practice healthy sexual behaviors as adults, but also to avoid early, exploitative or risky sexual activity that may lead to health and social problems, such as unintended pregnancy and STIs, including HIV infection and AIDS. This is especially true among gay, lesbian and bisexual youth who are more likely to have had sexual intercourse, to have had more partners, and to have experienced sexual intercourse against their will, putting them at increased risk of STIs including HIV infection. The data is clear that abstinence is the most effective means of birth control and prevention of STIs and needs to be included as part of an individual’s strategy to reduce unintended pregnancy and STI rates. But abstinence should not be taught as the only strategy. To date, the evidence regarding the efficacy of abstinence-only in the reduction of risky sexual behaviors, including risk for STIs, has not been proven” (2008).2008