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What Are You Learning in Sex Ed?
by Ashley Rondini, 06.14.02
"I feel a lot more respected if I am being given the chance to check out all of the facts, and make my decision from there." |
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Have you heard that there are fewer unplanned teenage pregnancies now than there were 10 years ago? It's true!
Nonetheless, one million American teenagers will still experience an unplanned pregnancy this year, and one-in-four sexually active teens will still become infected with a sexually transmitted infection. So what's the best way to reach teens with information about sexual health risks? Here are two main ideas about the subject.
The "Just Say No!" Approach
Sexual abstinence means not having sex. No vaginal intercourse, no oral sex, no anal sex, no other forms of outercourse — no sex play at all.
So, abstinence is the only method of pregnancy and infection protection that is 100 percent guaranteed, and therefore the only method taught in "abstinence-only, until marriage" sex education. "Abstinence-only" programs don't provide information about pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection prevention methods, like condoms, because of the fear that teens will see this as "permission" and "encouragement" to have sex. If condoms and other safer-sex choices get any "play" at all in these programs, it's only to point out that they sometimes fail.
What do teens think about abstinence-until-marriage sex ed?
"What's up with that? Realistically, some kids are going to have sex, so shouldn't they at least know how to be as safe as possible?"
— Shayla, age 17
"I am going to wait until I am married, so talking only about abstinence is fine for me, but I think it might be weird for some of my friends, if they have already had sex."
— Mayra, age 15
"As a gay male, it's funny to me that anybody thinks 'abstinence until marriage' sex ed would help me ... especially since I won't be able to marry anyone I want to be sexual with! It's like they expect me to have no sexual feelings at all, or to just masturbate for the rest of my life."
— Tony, age 17
The "Knowledge Is Power" Approach
Comprehensive sexuality education is the second approach to sexuality education in schools. Comprehensive sexuality education programs teach students that abstinence is the choice which offers the most protection against pregnancy and infection ... they just don't present it as the only choice. These programs focus on empowering teens to make decisions about their own bodies that are based on facts rather than fear.
"I think a lot of teenagers mess up using condoms because they don't know about how to use them, and nobody wants to admit it. It would be better if everyone got information about this stuff, so that nobody would have to feel stupid for asking."
— Michele, age 16
In reality, about half of all 17-year-olds have had sex. So, to help out those who are "doin' it" (or who might be, someday!), comprehensive sex ed also provides information and resources related to many aspects of sexual decision making. Examples of topics that can be covered include pregnancy prevention options, symptoms of and treatments for sexually transmitted infections, sexual identity issues, how to use condoms, and where to get sexual health services.
"If somebody is just telling me 'don't do it — that's all you have to know,' it just makes me feel like they don't believe I can think for myself. Maybe I will do it, or maybe I won't, but either way, I feel a lot more respected if I am being given the chance to check out all of the facts, and make my decision from there."
— Dion, age 16
According to a recent study by the Alan Guttmacher Institute, pregnancy rates have dropped partly because teens are having less sex, but mostly because those who are having sex are effectively using birth control.
What kind of sex education does your school provide? Do you think it's good enough? If it isn't, the teens at "SEX, Etc." may be able to help you out! Check out their Web site for information about the Rutgers Roadmap program, which is designed to help teens advocate for comprehensive sex ed programs in their own schools. |
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