Does sex education prevent teen pregnancy

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Does sex education prevent teen pregnancy?

There has been a lot of controversy regarding whether teen pregnancy can be prevented through the teaching of sex education. The American school curriculum has included sex education in order to ensure that students make choices that are responsible. The issue on teen pregnancy affects the society as a whole and thus, a solution needs to be found out as soon as possible. According to statistics provided by the American government the number of teen pregnancies is increasing at extremely high rates. This means that teens should be well educated about sex matters, in order to make informative decisions.

This paper seeks to give a critical analysis concerning whether teen pregnancies can be prevented by sex education. Also, it seeks to find out how sex education affects decisions making by teens.

Analysis of sex education and, how it affects teen pregnancy levels

According to Steve Sternberg, the youth of the United States is highly venerable to being infected with sexual transmitted diseases. This means that the youth are engaging in unprotected sex, while they are aware of the consequences of such actions. Research also shows that, by the time the youth have reached 25 years, they are likely to be infected by a venereal disease. This means that not having protected sex is extremely dangerous and the teens should avoid this issue. Teenagers who engage in risky sexual activities are almost assured of becoming pregnant. The dangers of engaging in unprotected sex are many, and some can even lead to death. Females are the ones who become pregnant, and they should be the ones to find ways of not becoming pregnant. The author believes that sex education plays an immense role in the lives of the American teenagers. Unfortunately, only a few of them are taking the matter on sex education seriously, as the rates of pregnancy are still surging (Sternberg, 2004.1).

The United States is known for its high rates of unwanted teenage pregnancies and Wagoner seems to concede to this statement. This is despite the fact that the United States is developed as well as industrialized. It should have found more informative ways of teaching sex education to its youth. Teenage pregnancy has been identified as a problem that has the power of becoming a menace than it currently is at the moment. Wagoner (2001) has been deeply affected by this issue and thus, created a website that focuses on sex education. Since teenagers are always on the internet, this will be an easy way to reach them and teach sex education. Matters on reproduction and sexual health are vital to teenagers. The website is extremely informative and has all the facts about sexual matters. The numbers of teenagers who view the site are increasing, and this shows that it has created interest among the youth. Moreover, the United States is aware of the use of the internet in promoting sex education and thus advocates for it.

A passport program is another method through, which teenagers can be informed about sex education. This is mostly for teenagers who have already had their first pregnancies also, for health reasons. By being in a passport program, the teenagers are not likely to become pregnant before they are well informed. Furthermore, they will be aware about the importance of having their children immunized (Stevens-Simon &Kelly & Brayden, 2001, 170). This means that sex education also focuses its attention upon the children born by teenage mothers. Teenagers can become pregnant any time they have sex and thus, should know how to prevent it. Parents have a role in educating their children on matters related to sex. It is their responsibility to ensure that teenagers are aware about the dangers of early sexual encounters and escapades.

Various programs in sex education are taught to teenagers, and they focus upon different methods. Some methods include abstaining from sex until one is mature, using condoms and even taking contraceptive pills. The use of contraceptive pills is popular among the youth and, unfortunately, they do not protect against acquiring sexually transmitted diseases. Furthermore, contraceptives have been known to fail and thus, leading to pregnancies that are unwanted. Teenagers are having countless sexual partners and thus increasing the risk if being infected with AIDS. Luckily, sex education has changed all the above from taking place according to Alford. The age at which teenagers are having sex for the first time has increased significantly. They are engaging in sex when they are older, and this is a desirable thing. This shows that sex education has a positive impact upon the youth, by reducing pregnancy numbers.

Criticism exists concerning the effect of sex education, upon reducing the rates of teenage pregnancies. There is research that proves that sex education programs do not reduce the number of teenage pregnancies that occur. The study conducted by Philliber and Allen (1994) prove that the latter is indeed true. After carrying out their studies and using their population, they found out that only few teenagers benefit from programs on sex education. Most teenagers ignore the advice they are given as they believe that by having sex, they will be accepted by their peers. Other issues associated with risky sexual activities include alcohol consumption and drug usage. This means more research needs to be done to find out why sex education programs are not as beneficial as they ought to be.

Other critics believe that by incorporating sex education into the school curriculum problems are bound to take place. It might lead to some children shying away from attending school. The classroom setting is not an ideal location for teaching sex education. The latter should be done at home, in religious institutions such as churches and temples among other places. Technology and the media are other sources whereby, teenagers can obtain information regarding sex education (Alford, 2004. 1). There are accredited books that offer guidance to teenagers on the right path concerning sexual matters. Teenagers are informed that by giving birth early in life is dangerous. There is a high chance that they might lose their lives and that of the baby and even damage their reproductive system. Sex education has all the vital information concerning these matters.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the problem concerning teenage pregnancies exists in America, and it is of foremost concern. Sex education is one of the solutions that exist and thus should be advocated for. As children are growing up, and attaining teenage hood, they are in need of sex education. The latter is responsible for ensuring that in the future they make responsible sexual decisions.

Work Cited

Sternberg, Steve. “USA’s youth at high risk for venereal diseases.”USATODAY.com 24 Feb 2004. 24 October 2011.

Wagoner, James. “Teens Need Information, Not Censorship.” Advocate for Youth. 12 June 2001. 2 December 2011.

Stevens-Simon, C. &Kelly, L. & Brayden, R. (2001). A health passport for adolescent parents and their children. Clinical Pediatrics, 40, 3, (2001): 169–173.

Allen, J. & Philliber, S. Who benefits most from a broadly targeted prevention program? Differential efficacy across populations in the teen outreach program. Charlottesville, VA: Author.1994.Print.

Alford S. Science and Success, Second Edition: Sex Education and Other Programs that Work to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, HIV & Sexually Transmitted Infections. Washington, DC: Advocates for Youth, 2008.Web. 2 December .2011.

“Sex education: Start discussions early.” CNN.com. 7 Jun 2005. 2 December. 2011.