The youth are usually presented as the future of a nation. Given that they hold a country’s future, no effort should be spared in shielding the youth against harm. Sexually transmitted infections, early pregnancy and sexual assault are some of the threats that the youth in the US face today. Every year, hundreds of young girls become pregnant while many more suffer sexual abuse. Boys and young men have not been spared of the adverse impacts of reckless sexual behavior. Many contract sexually transmitted infections which erode their wellbeing. The key to protecting the youth against these sex-related issues is sex education. Partnering with other stakeholders, the US government should follow the example of other countries which have invested in sex education programs.
To persuade the US government of the need to promote sex education, it is important to highlight the numerous benefits that sex education delivers. Providing young people with knowledge on sexual issues is one of the benefits of sex education (Kontula, 2010). Through sex education, parents, teachers and other stakeholders can sensitize children and young adults on such issues as sexual function, sexually transmitted infections and the need to shun reckless sexual conduct. Today, sex is regarded as a taboo. Parents and teachers are unable to discuss sexual issues with students. Sex education holds the key to normalizing sex. Research shows that through sex education, students become more tolerant and accepting of sex (Kontula, 2010). To solve such problems as early pregnancies and STDs, it is important for teachers to join forces with other parties and engage in open discussions with students about sex.
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The benefits that sex education delivers extend beyond promoting tolerance. It has been established that sex education also enhances academic performance (Kontula, 2010). This education provides students with insights that they need to excel in academic pursuits. Since it promotes academic performance, sex education could inspire students to remain committed to their studies. Encouraging learners to embrace abstinence is another important role that sex education plays (Kirby, 2008). By educating students, teachers allow them to understand the link between reckless sexual conduct and the value of abstinence. In addition to preserving sexual purity, abstinence also enables individuals to avoid contracting STDs. While abstinence delivers benefits to all, it is particularly vital for young girls. It is understood that abstinence is the most effective measure to combat early pregnancy (Kirby, 2008). Therefore, through sex education, the US will inspire its young people to embrace abstinence. As a result, the country will witness significant declines in prevalence rates of STDs and early pregnancy.
Abstinence is just one of the numerous approaches to safety. Apart from abstinence, young individuals can also adopt such contraceptives as condoms. Sex education challenges the youth to prioritize safety when engaging in sexual behavior. Thanks to sex education, the youth understand that condoms and other contraceptives help to keep them safe from STDs and unplanned pregnancies (Kirby, 2008). Delaying the moment when young people are introduced to sex is another critical role that sex education plays. Essentially, sex education protects children and adolescents against various forms of abuse. The minds of these people are not fully developed and they are therefore unable to make informed and wise decisions. Sex education provides responsible adults with the platform to shield the youth against harm. Therefore, the US needs to increase the amount of funding allocated for sex education programs. As it does this, it will be investing in the future of its youth.
In the recent past, campuses in the US have been embroiled in controversies concerning sexual abuse. In an effort to protect students, these institutions are challenging them to respect the decisions of their colleagues. Essentially, campuses are encouraging students to say no and to ensure that all forms of sexual behavior are consensual. The efforts of these campuses mirror the value of sex education. It has been shown that sex education motivates students to say no (Martinez, Abna & Copen, 2010). By saying no, the youth own their sexuality and reject reckless sexual behavior. Moreover, being assertive in their refusal to engage in inappropriate sexual activities insulates the youth against abuse. If the US is truly committed to protecting its young people, it should demonstrate its seriousness through increased investment in sex education. Sex education will transform American school into safe spaces where the wishes and decisions of students are respected.
This far, the discussion has presented sex education as an effective approach for promoting responsible sexual behavior. However, it is important to recognize that even without providing sex education, schools can still encourage the youth to shun reckless sexual conduct. Educational institutions encourage students to aspire for college education (Kirby, 2010). Moreover, the institutions provide the students with an environment for positive engagement. By keeping students off the streets and focused on their dreams, schools protect the students from sexual abuse, STDs and unwanted pregnancies. Research shows that by encouraging students to stay in school, educational institutions help to postpone the onset of sexual activity (Kirby, 2010). This way, the institutions aid the government’s effort to create a generation of responsible and sexually-aware people. Thus, since schools offer security and opportunities for advancement, maximum resources should be allocated for school programs. Particular focus should be given to programs which impart skills and insights that enable students to make wise decisions regarding their sexuality.
If the US is to be persuaded to invest more in sex education initiatives, it is important to highlight the countries that have developed successful sex education programs. The Netherlands is among these countries (Ferguson, Vanwesenbeeck & Knijn, 2008). The country’s government has invested immense resources and effort in sex education. Thanks to this investment, the Netherlands has some of the world’s lowest rates of teenage pregnancy (Ferguson, Vanwesenbeeck & Knijn, 2008). One of the factors that have allowed the Netherlands to be successful in protecting its youth is the country’s decision to develop all-inclusive programs. By targeting all of its youth, the Netherlands has ensured that no young and vulnerable individual is left exposed to sexual dangers. For the US to replicate the kind of success that the Netherlands has had, it needs to adopt the country’s model. All students should be required to take part in sex education programs.
The US has been urged to redouble its investment in sex education. However, even as it develops sex education programs, the US should be wary of various pitfalls which could hamper the effectiveness of these programs. One of the pitfalls is that there are no guarantees that sex education programs work. There is some evidence which suggests that contrary to commonly-held belief, sex education fails to postpone the moment when individuals are introduced to sex (Kirby, 2008). Therefore, the US should contain its expectations. More importantly, the US needs to combine sex education with other approaches which help to encourage responsible sexual behavior among the youth. While it is true that the success of sex education programs cannot be guaranteed, the US should remain relentless in its quest to protect its youth. The evidence pointing to the effectiveness of sex education is overwhelming. American policy makers should rely on this evidence as they create robust sex education initiatives.
In conclusion, sex education remains one of the most contentious issues in the US. There are those who feel that by educating children and adolescents on sexual issues, the country is essentially corrupting them. On the other hand, most Americans seem persuaded that sex education is the key to tackling promiscuity, STDs and early pregnancies. Nearly all the evidence confirms the views of the Americans who feel that sex education is effective. Scholarly evidence shows that in addition to postponing the onset of sexual activity, sex education also helps to combat sexual abuse. Therefore, the US should continue to invest in sex education programs.
References
Ferguson, R. M., Vanwesenbeeck, I., & Knijn, T. (2008). A matter of facts… and more: an exploratory analysis of the content of sexuality education in The Netherlands. Sex Education , 8 (1), 93-106.
Kirby, D. (2010). The impact of schools and school programs upon adolescent sexual behavior. Journal of sex research , 39 (1), 27-33.
Kirby, D. B. (2008). The impact of abstinence and comprehensive sex and STD/HIV education programs on adolescent sexual behavior. Sexuality Research & Social Policy , 5 (3), 18.
Kontula, O. (2010). The evolution of sex education and students' sexual knowledge in Finland in the 2000s. Sex Education , 10 (4), 373-386.
Martinez, G., Abma, J., & Copen, C. (2010). Educating teenagers about sex in the United States. NCHS data brief , (44), 1-8.
