In my years of high school, it was no surprise to hear that someone got "lucky" with someone else. In fact, nearly everyone I knew had engaged in some kind of sexual intercourse before graduation. Some students I know have even been with 5+ other partners. According to the statistics of many essays I have read on databases, 1/2 students enrolled in middle school to high school will lose their virginity before graduation. With that being said, unplanned pregnancies and STDs is at high risk for the younger generation. The teachings of abstinence are obviously not working the way everyone had hoped. Perhaps, it is time to start teaching students about something new, the teachings of how to use contraceptives. With this education in students' minds, the rate of STDs and unplanned pregnancies could possibly take a major downfall. When I was in sex Ed in school, my teacher(s) never taught us how to properly use a condom. Instead, they attempted to motivate everyone in the class to wait until marriage to have sex. What many teachers are forgetting is that teenagers are highly sexually active, which will cause a great amount of sexual frustration. With the build up of this stress, it's no doubt many teens will forget about what they learned and will engage in sexual intercourse they were told to resist. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying sexual abstinence does not accomplish anything. It is doing its job by saying how great of an achievement it is for someone to wait until marriage, and by attempting to scare students with pictures, stories, and scenarios of what can happen is sex is abused. I'm purposing that the teachings of abstinence need to be combined with the teachings of contraceptives. With this modification, students can continue to resist their temptation to carry out a sexual act, but if they make the mistake of having sexual intercourse, they can have the protection of contraceptives to prevent them from a tragic life changing experience.
Teaching abstinence & contraceptives in school
By Phatpug - Posted on October 24th, 2008
I completely agree. By the age of 17 at least 50% of teenagers have lost their virginity. 1 in 4 girls have an STD, and at many colleges some STDs have infected over 50% of the student body.. We need to drop religion at the door like all of the other teenagers and begin teaching more about contraceptives because the current method is not working.
I also believe that there should be sex education freshman, sophomore, and junior year.
The current generation lives in a time of advancement and early choices. As a consequence, it is important to offer all proper educational tools for those who wish to wait and those who will engage regardless of the consequences. Knowledge is power.
The statistics and studies are intriguing about the younger ages of people engaging in activities that they are not ready for, but participate in these activities for a varying number of reasons. The reality is that it is happening and happening at alarming numbers. We cannot close our eyes and pretend it is not happening. It is vital that we offer them proper and correct information, which would work best to service them and our nation as a whole.
Abstinence is still the most effective option and prevention of STDs, pregnancies and the emotional consequences of engaging in activities that one may not be ready for. However, the reality is the people as young as middle school children have or will engage in activities that can result in emotions that they do not understand or can handle, pregnancy, STDs, and other health conditions that can arise from any of these issues.
The emotional aspects of participating in sexual activities needs to be taught as well as the physical aspects and consequences.
Education is the key.
I agree with you, and so do organizations like Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and SIECUS.
There are actually toolkits and resources online that will help you change the sex ed at your school, if you're interested.
R.E.A.L. Kit (from Planned Parenthood)
Community Action Kit (from the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States)
Advocates for Youth's Youth Action Center
Pre-made letters to send to legislators (Letters have many topics, "it's time for America to evolve" is the sex ed one)
A great resource to help you take action from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
"What a crazy random happenstance!"
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
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