Sexual education Essay

The New York Beacon introduces two core controversial methods to bring down the rates of sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies that countless Americans confront. One can either approach these situations by providing abstinence-only programs or by promoting contraceptive safe programs. What method is more effective is a question that many have had for years. In fact according to Pinsetter’s article, there still is no accurate way of measuring the effectiveness of either method.

Many people think that preaching abstinence is the cost effective way, however, while probably the more desirable approach, It Is certainly not the most effective. It is evident that even with strong messages urging young people to practice abstinence; the majority of teenagers do not practice this. The united states soul remains with the highest teen pregnancy rate “Last year, a study commissioned by Congress revealed that students receiving abstinence-only sex education are Just as likely to be sexually active as those who do not” (Kirby). It is clear that the abstinence-only method Is not sufficient enough, something more must e done.

The debate on handing out condoms In public school has been an ongoing controversy. Perhaps this shouldn’t even be a question, for there is a soaring rate of sexual actively among students with Limited access to condoms. Condoms prevent unexpected pregnancies and also help prevent sexually transmitted diseases also known as Stud’s (Schuster). In a study performed by Mr.. Schuster, he discusses a school condom availability program which gives access to tree condoms tort all students. This study shows a variety of different number that all prove this method to be helpful.

For example; 53 of the participants used this program, 70% of those non-virgins, 54% of those who used the program used it for sexual intercourse purposes, and of the total student population believe that condoms should be provided (Schuster). A phone survey conducted In Indiana by Warbler’s survey asked basic sex behavior questions to parents of current students in that year of 2003. Harder came to a conclusion that condoms weren’t being purchased because 83% of all convenience stores sold condoms behind the counter, and teenage females received resistance or criticism from clerks 27% of the time they asked for condoms Harder).

If schools were to make condoms accessible, this would be a more convenient and effective way for students to protect themselves. Although abstinence would be the preeminent prevention of unintended pregnancies and SSTГњs, according to Mr.. Kirby not many adolescents are following through with the concept. Kirby has an article that basically promotes the pros and cons of having a condom-available program at schools. Luckily condoms are 98% percent effective when used properly, this Is why some kind tot Instruction should be given even while teaching abstinence-only.

In an article by Mr.. Haggier he wonders if we are using the correct teaching methods. He uses certain similar statistics as those previously discussed to prove his point. “As tot 2010, the pregnancy and birth rates among adolescents are significantly high in the united States as compared to other developed countries” (Walgreen). Also, compared to adults, adolescents are at a greater rills AT Decoding Indicate Walt an SIDE wanly Is winy roughly one In Tour sexually active teens develop an SST every year (Haggier).

Using data from women in between the ages of 15-19 a study in 1995 and 2002 was performed by Dry. Sentential. In this study he determined that improved knowledge in contraceptive use has dropped number drastically (Sentential). Having safe sex is the only way to almost completely protect oneself from these misfortunes. An article by Confined talks about an Act that was passed by congress in 1996. This act launched a new major abstinence-only program with 87. 5 million dollars to spend on the program each year for five years (Confined). A similar article by Mrs..

Wallace talks about President Bush’s emergency plan for AIDS relief. Bush basically had an abstinent method with no alternatives, meaning premarital sex wasn’t an option although it was once only prohibited for adolescents. Another article by Mr.. Hollander reads, “in April 2002 a house committee rejected actions permitting states to use funds from abstinence- only programs towards other programs that include discussions on contraceptive methods”(Hollander). This article also talks about how this same committee rejected an amendment that would allow medically accurate information only.

This left many people unaware of the options outside of remaining pure until marriage. As Barnett said, “abstinence isn’t always an option for poorer countries. In many poorer countries sex is more likely to be tied to lively hoods, duties, and survival. In Barrette’s article he discusses how teaching abstinence is only changing behavior rather than teaching its context. This means that other methods should also be taught for informative reasons. It is the students, parents, schools, community and the Country’s benefit for naive teenagers to be properly informed of practicing safe sex.

As stated previously, condoms decreased the rates of unwanted pregnancies and Stud’s, which benefits everyone. It benefits the sexually active people by allowing hem to live a healthy life and it also benefits parents by preventing them from dealing with unhealthy children and possibilities of dealing with unintended grandchildren. The consequences of unprotected sex are complicated and can lead to serious life changing situations. Encouraging the use of condoms has an almost perfect chance of eliminating these complications.

In contrast, one might think that the condom distribution goes against religious morals. Sex before marriage is prohibited in many different religions. Other parents say it goes against their attempts to persuade their children to postpone engaging in sexual activity. The argument against condom distribution also includes the assumption that it encourages sexual activity at an earlier age rather than remaining abstinent. Condom availability will become a norm as well as sexual activity that will also increase peer pressure of engaging in sexual behavior.

While this is a valid concern, condom availability programs do not promote sexual activity, but simply encourages the practice of safe sex. Whether sexually active people are given condoms in schools or at a local drug store, they will maintain sexually active. Although abstinence is the model solution, making condoms easily accessible in an environment people feel safe in can greatly benefit society in the long run. If the nation wants to impede the high rates of sexual involvement they must not be afraid to attack the issue.

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