SEX EDUCATION: PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE

: JOY B. CABALTEA 12 SUPERB

Pre-marital sex, which leads to teenage pregnancy, is one of
today's most common problems. One factor that contributes to this
type of problem in our society is a lack of specific sex
knowledge. If this issue is not addressed, it will only increase
our country's poverty rate because some of our country's teenage
parents lack the ability to raise a child while working. As a
result, sex education in our schools is necessary to open our
minds to the possibility of preventing teenage pregnancy.
Many others disagree, arguing that sex education is a
personal matter that parents should discuss with their children
and thus does not belong in an academic setting. While both of
these points of view have limitations, it is critical that sex
education continue to be taught in schools. Students will be
properly educated not only on how to prevent negative outcomes
such as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and unintended
pregnancies, but also on a wide range of sexual health topics
such as communication, relationships, and decision-making.
There is also a widespread misconception that providing
comprehensive sexual education in schools encourages sexual
activity and leads to an increase in the number of teenagers
having sex. Goldman (2011) argued that, the knowledge of
sexuality leads to informed decision-making, delayed sexual
intercourse, responsible interpersonal behavior, and self-
protection strategies. Furthermore, a study of sex education in
California public schools discovered that "curriculum-based
comprehensive sexuality education, which includes instruction
that includes a focus on abstinence, as well as comprehensive
information about contraception and sexually transmitted
diseases,shown to delay rather than quicken the onset of sexual
activity" (Combelick and Brindis). Comprehensive sex education
discourages youth from engaging in sex. Good comprehensive
programs instruct students that abstinence is the only surefire
way to prevent pregnancy and STIs, just like abstinence-only
programs.The distinction is that these programs also provide
students with factual and realistic information about the safety
of various sexual practices as well as strategies for increasing
the chances.
Sex Education provides young people with the knowledge and
skills and that they need to live a healthy sexual life for the
rest of their lives. They learn how to have healthy
relationships, make informed sexual decisions, think critically
about the world, be a good ally to those who are marginalized,
and accept themselves as they are. Thus, Sex Education must be
mandatory in every schools to help reduce teenage pregnancy rates
and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
REFERENCES
Juiette D.G. Goldman, (2011),“An exploration in health Education
Pedagogies For young People”,Oxford Academic, Retrieved
from:https://academic.oup.com/her/article/26/3/526/739587 ,
December 3,2022
Combelick Sarah & Claire Brindis, “Uneven Progress:Sex Education
in California Public Schools”, Bixby Center for global
Reproductive Health, Retrieved from:
https://docplayer.net/12108226-Uneven-progress-sex-
education-in-california-public-schools-sarah-combellick-mph-
claire-brindis-drph.html