When many Americans think back on their sexual education back in middle school and high school, many tend to cringe. They might picture a hot gym full of teenagers while the gym teacher awkwardly explains the mechanics of fornication and explains the horrible warts one might get if they aren’t careful. It is viewed as a right of passage for many; just something that must be done. The information given might seem insignificant at the time, but how much does sex education really impact how adolescents view sex? More importantly, how does standardized sex education impact pregnancy rates?
With the popularity of shows such as MTV’s 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom, teen pregnancy makes itself known as a part of American
culture. While the shows demonstrate the extreme hardships of life as an
adolescent mother, they also provoke questions about the reason the teens got
pregnant in the first place. While many religions still do not approve of premarital
sex and contraception, American society widely accepts premarital sex as the
“norm”. Couples today have access to a variety of forms of contraception, with
condoms being sold at nearly every drug store and super market. Many assume
that stupidity and juvenile foolishness are a big contributor to teenage
pregnancy, but what other factors are a component?
According to a new CDC study, teen pregnancy rates in
California are down 60% after the implementation of a new sex education
program. The program is designed to be thorough and medically accurate. The
program is not “abstinence only” like in many other American states and is
designed to be “objective and respectful of gay and lesbian youth."
(Tom). The California Department of
Public Health also credits “community-based
education programs that provide sexual health information to teens and their
parents” (Klein).
With many states in America following “abstinence only”
guidelines for sex education, how to the statistics differ from those with a
more liberal approach? Teens are going to be sexually active, whether society
approves or not, but what is the best way to ensure that they being health and
safe with sex?
Sources:
No comments:
Post a Comment