Safe Sex Not No Sex
Safe Sex Not No Sex With increasing teen pregnancies and high Sexual Transmitted Infection (STI’s) rates, our school system is flawed with its Title V Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Program (abstinence-only). Even though abstinence is the only absolute way to avoid unwanted pregnancy and STI’s, it is incorrect to say it is the only way to avoid them. Our education system should abolish the abstinence-only program and incorporate comprehensive sexuality education, promoting safe sex and birth control education. The abstinence-only program has an eight point definition. That clearly states what is to be taught and is not to be contradicted. The Family and Youth Bureau list the following as some of the program out line:
Projects support decisions to abstain from sexual activity by providing abstinence programming as defined by Section 510(b) of the Social Security Act, which states abstinence education must:
A. Teach abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage as the expected standard for all school age children;
B. Teach that a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the expected standard of human sexual activity;
C. Teach that sexual activity outside of the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects;
These are only three of the most concerning points of the program outline. Given the placed definition it leaves a wide range of youth not having the proper needed health information. There are many types of families and situations that make up our world and clearly stating that within marriage is the only acceptable way to be sexually active is outdated and contradictory to the American family reality. American families are increasingly becoming more non-traditional. For example, when I walk down my four block street I can count on one hand how many “traditional” families there are. “[American] married couples with children account for less than a quarter
Projects support decisions to abstain from sexual activity by providing abstinence programming as defined by Section 510(b) of the Social Security Act, which states abstinence education must:
A. Teach abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage as the expected standard for all school age children;
B. Teach that a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the expected standard of human sexual activity;
C. Teach that sexual activity outside of the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects;
These are only three of the most concerning points of the program outline. Given the placed definition it leaves a wide range of youth not having the proper needed health information. There are many types of families and situations that make up our world and clearly stating that within marriage is the only acceptable way to be sexually active is outdated and contradictory to the American family reality. American families are increasingly becoming more non-traditional. For example, when I walk down my four block street I can count on one hand how many “traditional” families there are. “[American] married couples with children account for less than a quarter
Bibliography: Ikramullah, Erum, , , et al. "Parents Matter: The Role of Parents in Teens’ Decisions About Sex.” www.childtrends.org RESEARCH BRIEF. Web. 5 Dec. 2012. Malone, Patrick, and Monica Rodriguez. "Comprehensive Sex Education Vs. Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs. "Human Rights 38.2 (2011): 5-22. Academic Search Premier. Web. 5 Dec. 2012. O 'Higgins, Siobhan, and Saoirse Nic Gabhainn. "Youth Participation In Setting The Agenda: Learning Outcomes For Sex Education In Ireland." Sex Education 10.4 (2010): 387-403. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Dec. 2012.