This is the “United” States and that means they are a group of collective states that are united in a societal relationship. The societal relationships make up communities of vast and similar cultural differences with considerations to various religions. That was a tidbit to educate the reader! Do you know where your state stands on sex education being taught in school? Is being educated about a sexuality a national issue or an issue strictly for parents or an issue that should be guided by our religious preferences? (That was a mouth full!)
Never underestimate the power of today’s children to comprehend the mechanics of sex, especially as young as 12 years old and possibly younger. According to reports issued by the Guttmacher Institute, the average United States teenager is more likely to have sex before the age of 15 years old. This report further goes on to relate, 46% males and 33% females did not receive formal instruction about contraception before they first had sex. Males were also less likely to have received information of any kind in comparison to females. Some other facts that were discovered, were about sexually transmitted diseases (infections) commonly known as STD’s. According to the CDC, there were numerous listed sexually transmitted diseases as follows:
1. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)2. Syphilis
3. Trichomoniasis
4. Chancroid
5. Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)
6. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
7. HIV/AID
8. Genital Herpes
9. Viral Herpes
10. Gonorrhea
11. Chlamydia
12. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
This is not a complete and total list. It does go on. After speaking with 3 young adults (18-21 years old--friends of my children who are very sexually active), they were not even familiar with three of the diseases listed above.
It is further stated that 50% of all STD’s occur in people 25 years or younger. 1 in 4 occurs in teenagers at an alarming rate of Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. In 2006, 5,259 (13-24 year olds) in 33 states were diagnosed with HIV/AID’s which actual represented about 14% of the people diagnosed that year. This article is meant to scare parents as well as educators of the growing problems in dealing with sex education. To add to these examples is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV.) This was generally a virus which affects cervical cells. If they become mutated, there is a big possibility of cervical cancer will grow in an infected female. A booster (immunization) was recommended for young girls starting puberty. However recent studies have shown that HPV is not strictly a female issue. A study was done with 1,159 men that were HIV negative with no history of cancer. This study was done for more than 6 months with 27.5 months of follow up. 50% of the men were found infected with HPV. The infection lasted for about 7 ½ months. Men infected with HPV-16, the infection lasted 12 ½ months. HPV-16 is the cancer causing type virus. Other studies are being done as to whether a vaccine should be recommended or be mandatory for both men and women. (Anna R Giuliono, 2011)
To actually address these issues, how much do children need to know about sex education? They need to know enough to save themselves from committing suicide because of a moment of unplanned pleasure. They need to know enough to help curve the unintended pregnancies born into poverty. How can parents, schools, religious leaders, young people, and our government come together as a joint effort to help with these problems? Most organized religious groups are definitely in agreement that all people should abstain from sexual activity until they are married in accordance with God’s plans. According to the Pontifical Council for the Family, “A person is thus capable of a higher kind of love than concupiscence which only sees objects as a means to satisfy one’s appetites; this person is capable rather of friendship and self-giving, with the capacity to recognize and love person’s for themselves.” (Catholic Position Papers , 1995) The Catholic Church like so many other religious denominations feel that sex should not be a repressive type state but where two people share their love, have the capacity for compassion, tolerance, and generosity in a marital union and that without all of this love cannot endure. Along those lines, parents are suppose to teach their children in an age appropriate manner about sexuality down grading certain subjects like sexual perversions and homosexuality. How can a parent protect their child and or would not they be lying in essence if they do not explain homosexuality and sexual perversions to their child? Why would we only teach children ½ truths especially in an academic setting?
In North Carolina there are Sexual Education classes like in schools like in many states. According to the State Law, STD’s and HIV/AIDS education is required. Abstinence must be covered and stressed only as the effective protection against unplanned pregnancy and STD’s. Parent’s permission to participate in sexuality education is not required. Permission slips are sent out in some school districts in North Carolina. Sex Education generally takes place in high school. The teaching about contraceptives is not required. There is a lot to be desired in this type of curriculum. In Texas, in 2001, a sex education class was offered in the 5th grade in one school district. The film shown for sex education is “How Bat’s Mate.” In North Carolina, (an un-named school district and school) more than 50% or the class corrected their instructor—because the instructor’s information was outdated personally as well as professionally. What is sad this is one that question actually arose in a freshman biology class: “If you have unprotected sex while you are pregnant, can your unborn baby get pregnant?” Under the rules and regulations of the school board for this district, the biology instructor could only reply “Ask your parents.” The biology instructor was not allowed to answer the question; not even objectively with a biological answer. After thorough consideration, this issue is very similar to teaching evolution and religion in school. Children should be taught sexual education starting in the 4th grade. It should be taught objectively on the appropriate age level without the parents consent. Children are sponges and should learn the mechanics, pregnancies, the diseases, and the ways these types of diseases can be prevented including but not limited to abstinence adding religious views as well. For example, this is the mechanics and these diseases that can happen because of the mechanics. Many of the television shows have already been showing live births. Many of these 4th graders have already viewed these types of shows. Classes involving parents with their children in a learning atmosphere could also be useful as well. What are the parents doing?
People with children in school systems should take a stance and they already have according to SIERUS. National surveys of adults demonstrate overwhelming public support for comprehensive sexuality in American schools:93% of parents of Jr. High and 91% of parents of High school students feel it is important to have sexuality education in the schools. 95% of parents of Jr. High and 93% of parents of High school students feel that birth control and other methods of preventing pregnancy are appropriate topics in sexuality education in schools.
Isn’t this a little late to be teaching these students about subjects they are already familiar with? Isn’t this like closing the barn door to keep these “children on the family values farm” when they have already tasted worldly pleasures? High school students on the other hand, should be educated on the “now” of sexuality. Whereas elementary students should be educated before the problems arise or they come into contact with sexually active peers. Parents do not come with a book of instructions for their children. But, they need to learn communication in detail with their offspring. If a parent believes that children shouldn’t have sex for religious reasons, then honesty is the best policy. Each parent needs to be informed before they speak with their children. It is ultimately the goal of the parent, to take charge of their children’s education in sex (because not all children are the same.) In the same token, it is up to the parent to make that their child understand what is truth in today’s society. Teaching sexuality in schools can be an effective tool when the parents become involved. When this happens, the religious preferences and the governmental instructions can help strengthen the core knowledge that children so desperately need to save their lives and help further curve the statistics on unintended pregnancies.
Adolescent Aids Program. (2011). A A P . Retrieved August 6, 2011, from Adolescent Aids Programs: http://www.adolescentaids.org
Anna R Giuliono, P. e. (2011, March). New Study Reveals High HPV Rates for Men. Retrieved August 6, 2011, from SIECUS - Sexuality Information and Education Council for the U.S.: http://www.siecus.orgCatholic Position Papers . (1995). Guidelines for Sex Education . Retrieved August 6, 2011, from Catholic Education Resource Center : http://www.catholiceducaton.org
Family First Aid. (2011). Teen Sex Statistics. Retrieved August 7, 2011, from http://www.familyfirstaid.org
Guttmacher Institute. (2011, February). Facts on American Teens' Source of Information about Sex. Retrieved August 7, 2011, from In Brief: Fact Sheet: http://www.guttmacher.orgUnited States Government. (2011, August 3). Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Retrieved August 2, 2011, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention : http://www.cdc.gov
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