Essays

Education of Sex in Schools Sex is something that almosteveryone will experience before they die. It is a subject that has been debated about for years. From the debate over birth control to the outbreak of aids. With all this history behindus, sex is becoming even more of an issue. With the newoutbreaks of sexually transmitted diseases and the fact thatsexually active persons are becoming younger, sex has nowbecome a daily topic. Sex scandals in the media and talk suchas "who slept with who at last night's keg party" are makingthese daily conversations apparent in high schools, middleschools, and in a lot of cases grade schools. As the sayinggoes "monkey see monkey do" one can only assume that thisconcept will pertain to these easily influenced children. Thatis why it is imperative that another side of this issue is presented on a regular basis, a side that demonstrates safesex as well as no sex. Sex is a basic instinct in all-living beings;sex education in Georgia public schools should encourageabstinence because it is the only sure way to prevent pregnancyand disease, but not dismiss protective measures for thosewho become sexually active, because no matter much youemphasize abstinence, there will always be those who chooseto participate in sexual activity.

Sex is a basic instinct in all-living beings. Men and womenwere intended to fall in love and he gave us all a sex drive sothat we could become one with that person. Whether peoplechoose to be sexually active or remain abstinent, there is alwaysa desire for sex in most males and females. In our culture,young people's natural sexual instincts are stimulated byexposure to sexual messages. Because so many young peoplein our society are exposed things that portray "sex appeal their natural curiosities are brought out, they are exposed tosexual stimuli early and often. The media has a huge influencein stimulating the drive for sex in people.

Many ads use sex to appeal to the public. For example,Calvin Klein uses beautiful men and women, usually dressedprovocatively, portraying them in a seductive way to sellfragrances and clothing items. These ads are successful becausea huge majority of the people who see these ads want to beseen as sexually desirable and attractive to the opposite sex, they are responding to a natural feeling. There are also manycommercials for things such as beauty products that make themodels look sexy and beautiful, these appeals to young ladieswanting to be like those models and getting the attention thatthe models get. By buying the product they feel that they canbecome "sexy" also. Music videos are also very explicit in theway they elude to sexual activity. This not only brings outnatural curiosities in young viewers but also portrays sex assomething casually enjoyable ignoring the consequencestherein.

Although the media portrays sex as something that is cooland fun and something that can be taken lightly, sex doeshave some real consequences which are nether cool nor fun aswell as something that can make lasting scars on aperson'slife. The consequences that can happen when one becomessexually active can be both emotional as well as physical. Onthe emotional side of becoming sexually active, often timesyoung people are not ready for the stress that goes alongwith becoming emotionally attached to their partner. Notmany would argue against the feeling that when you have sexwith someone you give them a piece of your "heart", youbecome one with that person and in turn, often times becomeattached to them.

Some emotional effects of being sexually active can be lifechanging. One thing we deal with in our society today is alarge amount of teen pregnancies. When a young womanbecomes pregnant, it puts a huge amount of stress on her. Sheis faced with many decisions such as abortion, adoption, ormaking enough money to raise the baby herself. This babywill change her life, furthermore many young women's bodiesare not ready to take on the physical stress of child birth.

The physical consequences that could come about withsex are numerous. There are many Sexually TransmittedDiseases that one can get when they are sexually promiscuousStatistics show that "one in every four Americans will beinfected with an sexually transmitted disease in their lifetime". The most severe sexually transmitted disease people can getis the HIV virus, this is a tragic epidemic that gives the patientexcruciating pain and eventually can take their life. Given that sex can be dangerous particularly to emotionally and physicallyimmature teens, abstinence would seem to be the best way for teens to avoid these negative consequences. Abstinence based education is a way to inform and encourage students that there is a way they can be positive they will not have tosuffer the consequences of sexual activity that is so prevalenttoday. Studies have shown that other forms of sexualeducation are not as successful in preventing things like teenpregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Hani Khouzam, who wrote a commentary on the publichealth strategies proposed by former surgeon general of theUnited States, made the statement that "the Nation.ResearchCouncil review of pregnancy prevention programs found thatalthough classroom-based sex education may influence attitudes, there was only limited evidence that it influence behavior. School-based sex education programs include value-free" courses teaching students the basic physical nature of sex these "value-free courses, however, have failed to prevent unplanned pregnancies." Students should be thought that it is not only acceptable to say no to sex, but tha it would be avery positive decision for them to make, and the best way to prevent pregnancy as well as harmful diseases that can domuch damage to their bodies.

Abstinence is a choice that would save many young people from much distress, it should furthermore be encouraged by Georgia public schools so that they know that it is n choice that might be hard but can benefit them greatly. Georgia public schools should encourage abstinence because it is a way that society can be sure to diminish the amount of sexually transmitted diseases as well as teen pregnancy. In our society today many young people are choosing to be sexually active.because of this, the risks of contracting a sexually transmitted disease in teens are high. Statistics show that "each year 15.3 million new STD cases are diagnosed. Two thirds of those who contract an STD are under the age of 25.

At least three million are between ages 15 and 19". It is saddening to think about how these young people who havetheir whole lives ahead of them being infected with a disease.Teens need to be taught that they can have more for theirfuture and a way they can assure that is but remainingabstinent. Education is the first step in a teenager's life toenable them and encourage them to make the right decisionsregarding sexual activity.

In the adolescent's reports of reproductive healtheducation there was a study done to prove that abstinencebased sexual education has helped the young people in oursociety. The authors studied reproductive health educationthat encouraged abstinence as well as promoted safe sex. Theyfound that " school based instruction is a primary mode ofreproductive health education: It can reduce sexual riskbehaviors by delaying age at first intercourse, reducing levelsof sexual activity and increasing contraceptive or condom use".

In these studies it has been proven that abstinence basededucation makes a difference in the lives of young people andreduces the risk of them having to go through the harmfuleffects that can occur when they became sexually active.Shouldn't we therefore want our Georgia public schools alsostrive to make an impact on their student's lives byeducatingthem and encouraging them to make good decisions? It is notonly good for our Georgia public schools to encourageabstinence and teach students about safe sex but furthermore,it is their responsibility to protect the youth of our societytoday. It cannot be assumed that a young person is going tolearn about sex from his parents or friends because quite oftenthe parents don't talk to their children about sex and otherpeers can't give adequate information about the topic.

Young people learn most of the things in their life fromthe education they get from school, this is why it is theresponsibility of Georgia public schools to protect and educatechildren about sexual matters also. Children that areenteringinto the world of exploring their sexuality need to know theeffects that sex can have on their lives and the cautions thatthey should take to protect them. The number of teenagepregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases today areoverwhelming, in order for this to be prevented someone hasto take the responsibility to teach our youth how to protectthemselves. According to the article making love in the dark"an estimated four out of five heterosexual women don't evenuse condoms every time they have intercourse. This compromises women's health enormously.

There is no reason that a young person's health should becompromised because the lack of education on how to protectthemselves. It should be the responsibility of our schools toprotect them from these dangers because it is imperative thatthey are aware and make the right decisions. Because sex isso prevalent in our society today, the issue must be addressedinstead of merely ignored. Children approaching adulthoodand reaching the age were they must make decisions abouttheir sexuality need to be aware of the repercussions that mightgo along with the decisions they choose. Georgia public schoolsshould strongly consider teaching a program to their studentsthat encourages them to remain abstinent but also teaches themabout ways they can protect themselves if they choose tobecome sexually active.