Sex Ed-YOU-cation (Con no. 2)

Sex Education courses have been contested since first introduced into the education system.  Some individuals promote and encourage sexual education, while others have attempted to hinder it.  These two schools of thought have brought about Comprehensive Sexual Education, and Abstinence-only Education.   

Comprehensive sex ed encourages a holistic approach to sexual education, including: building healthy relationships, learning about sexual abuse, LGBTQ issues, abstinence, and being aware of varying birth control methods such as oral contraceptives, condoms, and the morning after pill.  Comprehensive Sex Ed encourages individuals to become knowledgeable about their sexuality and the choices they can make to protect themselves.

Abstinence-only education promotes abstinence (obviously!) and has often relied on inaccurate information that does not aid in the healthy sexual development of youth. Abstinence-only education is based on a belief that abstinence is A MUST until marriage in order to avoid the perils of STIs and 'psychological difficulties' related to sex.

Although it is true that abstinence is the only 100% way to protect against STIs, pregnancy, and HIV, it i has a success rate of 76%.  If 100 students were to say they were abstinent, only 76 would stay abstinent - so we should be educating all students on safe sex!  Also, MANY studies show that teaching youth about sex DOES NOT mean that they will leave the classroom sex-crazed and ready to hump the closest thing that moves.  It is merely education.  Youth will make up their own mind about whether they have sex or not, their sex education will help them make a safe choice.

I encourage you to watch the following 3 minute clip re: Comprehensive vs. Abstinence-only Sexual Education. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTGEOrZ3MCs

With two extremely controversial methods of providing sexual education, it is no wonder that the Age of Consent policy is so difficult to enforce.  It will be difficult to promote the policy, if people still believe that if youth are educated about sex that they will run off and have a lot of it.  The Age of Consent policy would act as a measure for a better understanding of the legal rights of youth.

If 40 million dollars a year is spent promoting Abstinence-only education (Bush administration in the USA), how are youth to become knowledgeable about their rights, liberties, and means of protecting themselves from exploitative individuals? 

When sex education becomes more about safety and responsibility, than fear of sex, we will be able to promote the Age of Consent policy in a light of protection.

- A