Information regarding sexual health is important for the young people as it ensures their overall wellbeing within the community (Waters, 2016). School based programs have been inculcated within the education system to allow for easier access to this information to the young people. Some of the persons that are usually concerned about sexual health education and its awareness within this population includes public health professionals, educators and administrators as well as parents and caregivers hence their increased commitment in ensuring that this form of education is made available to the youth in schools (Harrison, 2000). Sexual health is considered as a multidimensional facet which is directly involved with the positive outcomes experienced by the youth. This allows them to experience desired parenthood, avoidance of extreme consequences such as STI/HIV infections and unwanted pregnancy. Additionally, sexual education also influences sexually related issues such as unwanted teen pregnancies, condom use within this population and first intercourse age (Waters, 2016). It is important to evaluate the intricate details pertaining to sexual education within educational institutions in order to determine the effectiveness of this study.
There is a distinct difference on the sex topics education taught in schools depending on the state policies on the same. In some schools, students are primarily taught on all the issues pertaining to abstinence, contraception and transmitted diseases while in others, they teach on abstinence as the only topic in sex education (Harrison, 2000). Within America, there are 22 states that allow for sex education in private and government schools whereas 3 states only require that the students are taught on HIV/AIDS. The remainder of the states approximated as 19 in number require that the information provided to the student population within such institutions only elaborates on factual, medical and technical realities on sex education. It is important to evaluate the programs present within the American school systems that elaborate on sex education in order to develop understanding on the type of information being relied upon on the youth.
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Abstinence until Marriage Sex Education Programs
The main teaching relied upon in this program focuses on depicting premarital sex as having dire ramifications which are psychological, socially and physically harmful to the youth (Waters, 2016). Sexual intercourse is depicted as being only accepted in the marriage institution thus educators promote marriage in this regard. The set of values elaborated on this teaching are unilateral as they only discuss on abstinence. One might consider these programs as being rather limited as the main topics involve the importance of sex in marriage and the consequences of having any sexual contact prematurely (Waters, 2016). The main disadvantage observed in such programs is that there is intention omission of information delivery regarding pressing and socially disruptive issues such as masturbation, abortion and sexual orientations which include lesbianism, homosexuality, bisexuality and transgender (Marvin, 2016). Scholars and researchers have highly criticized this form of education as the antics used facilitate coercing the student population into abstaining from sexual relations as well as limiting their sexual expression (Marvin, 2016). Additionally, these programs often discuss the failure rates of condom use rather than promoting it as a means of sexual protection from unwanted pregnancies as well as transmission of sexual diseases and infections which often subconsciously convince the youth than abstinence is the only safest way to protect oneself from such consequences.
Comprehensive Sex Education Programs within Arizona
These programs are only observed mostly within private schools. It involves a series on sessions in which the students are taken through various topics on sex and sexual health (Harrison, 2000). Firstly, the students are made to understand that sex is a healthy, normal and natural element in life that should be scorned on or depicting as an abomination. The students are then inculcated into the topic of abstinence which is highly encouraged as means of avoiding unplanned and unwanted pregnancy. In this session, the students are taught on how to abstain from engaging in premature sex before marriage which might led to dire consequences such as sexually transmitted diseases as well as HIV/AIDS (Waters, 2016). Through this education, the students are provided with a platform where they can clearly define their individual values regarding sex and their health. They also evaluate the values held their respective families and communities in order to gain a better understanding on what is truly expected of them in this regard.
The topics that are elaborated on within this program are diverse. They range from relationships and interpersonal skills, human development, sexual health, sexual expression and culture and society (Marvin, 2016). Owing to this wide range of information provided for the students, they are able to become more informed on the ways in which they can express themselves without being condemned and also how to handle situations that are sexually related. They are also informed on the perceptions of the society and their respective cultures as well regarding sex and sexual health which is essentially helpful.
Reducing Sexually Transmitted Infections
The first aspect that is considered when developing solutions geared towards reducing STIs within the American population is prevention (Marvin, 2016). Abstinence is considered the fool proof method in reducing any risks that are sexual in nature. There are different forms of abstinence that are discussed in this regard (Harrison, 2000). They are inclusive of complete and selective abstinence. The former involves disengaging from any sexual contact that is inclusive of anal or vaginal sex while the latter means selectively choosing to engage in sexual relations that are less likely to increase the rate of STIs. Abstinence is highly imperative for individuals that want to maintain their sexual healthy and also prevent sexually transmitted diseases as well as unwanted pregnancy.
The second aspect is mutual monogamy practices by couples. Through practicing monogamy, couples agree to have sexual relations with each other exclusively in order to reduce the extent to which they are exposed to STIs (Marvin, 2016). This primarily advised after a thorough check up which ensures that the couple is free from any sexually transmitted infections. It is important for communication to be a fundamental aspect within any relationship. It will allow the couple to talk about their sexual health and how they can prevent themselves from consequential outcomes of unprotected sex (Marvin, 2016). Additionally, communication fosters respect and trust between the partners which is important for reducing the risks associated with STDs and STIs where they can discuss on which infections to get tested on and methods of preventing infection or re-infection. It is also important to consider the influence of drugs and alcohol in facilitating the increase of STIs infections (Marvin, 2016). In the state of stimulation through consumption of some drugs, individuals are likely to be coerced in unprotected sex, which might lead to either unwanted pregnancy or STI and STD infections. Thus, through awareness creation, people are able to ensure they undertake the necessary steps through which, they can address drug abuse and alcohol consumption in order to reduce these risks.
References
Harrison, J. (2000). Sex education in secondary schools (1st ed.). Buckingham [England]: Open University Press.
Marvin, C. (2016). Prevention Tips - American Sexual Health Association . American Sexual Health Association . Retrieved 29 November 2016, from http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/stdsstis/prevention-tips/
Waters, K. (2016). Cite a Website - Cite This For Me . Advocatesforyouth.org . Retrieved 29 November 2016, from http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/398-sexuality-education
