Sex Eduacation in School
Sex Education Sex education in the United States has experienced serious changes over the past three decades. It all started in 1981 the Reagan Administration, with federal funding promoting abstinence-only-until-marriage to sex education programs. The support of this abstinence only until marriage idea has increased exponentially since 1996. Although this approach seen to be beneficial to many in the sense at rates of teen pregnancy would decrease. Many others see the prohibitive nature of this approach to be controversial. The public also show the need for sex education programs to include not only abstinence but also to include information about contraceptives as well. This excessive priority on promoting only one sex-education method seems to be at odds with what the high mass of adults and teenagers think is more important. For example in a the national survey published in 2007, out of 1000 adults and 100 teenagers organized by the National Campaign to Prevent teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. In the survey it was acknowledged that even though most of adults (93%) and teens (90%) believe that providing young teens with information about abstinence is an important message to give out. In the same survey more than the half of adults (73%) and teens (56%) also believed that the young people need way more information about abstinence and contraception than what they are given today, rather than either/or. These results of having teens comprehend sex education are more consistent with the previous survey conducted such as programs that rather only promote abstinence-only-until-marriage. More surveys have shows the promoting abstinence only has become more ineffective. The medical journal Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescents Medicine in 2005 to 2006 performed a surveys resulting with overwhelming support of 83% for a comprehensive approach and with only 36% supporting only abstinence education. In the January and February 2007 issue of Public health Reports
Cited: "Children Have the Right to Comprehensive Sex Education" by Barbara Miner. Do Children Have Rights? Christine Watkins, Ed. At Issue Series. Greenhaven Press, 2011. Barbara Miner, "We 're Here. We 're Sexual. Get Used to It," Colorlines, May-June 2008. "Comprehensive Sex Education Is Effective" by Margaret J. Blythe. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Roman Espejo, Ed. Opposing Viewpoints® Series. Greenhaven Press, 2011. Margaret J. Blythe, "Testimony of Margaret J. Blythe, MD, FAAP, FSAM, on Behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics," Before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, United States House of Representatives, April 23, 2008. "Comprehensive Sex Education Reduces Teen Pregnancy" by Advocates for Youth. Teen Pregnancy and Parenting. Lisa Krueger, Ed. Current Controversies Series. Greenhaven Press, 2011. Advocates for Youth, adapted from "Comprehensive Sex Education: Research and Results," September 2009. www.advocatesforyouth.org. "Sex Education." Current Issues: Macmillian Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. "Students Need to Take Responsibility for Their Sexual Health" by Caitlin Myers. Student Life. Karen Miller, Ed. Opposing Viewpoints® Series. Greenhaven Press, 2011. Caitlin Myers, "Sex, STIs and Responsibility," Daily Campus, April 16, 2008.