Should Sex Education Be Taught in Schools at a Younger Age?

This essay explores the contentious issue of sex education in schools, focusing on the debate surrounding the appropriate age to introduce this crucial topic. The author argues that providing sex education at a younger age is beneficial, citing research that supports the idea that early education can lead to safer sexual behaviors and reduce rates of teen pregnancy and STIs. The essay examines the perspectives of parents, schools, and state legislatures, highlighting the restrictions and challenges schools face in implementing sex education programs. The author emphasizes the importance of comprehensive education that covers topics beyond abstinence, including body parts, emotional aspects of sex, and healthy relationships. The essay concludes by advocating for a proactive approach to sex education, urging educators and policymakers to prioritize the well-being of young people through comprehensive and age-appropriate instruction. The author also includes references from various studies and organizations that support sex education.

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ENGL102
03/31/2018
What age should sexual Education be addressed in schools
Some people believe sexual education should only be addressed when children become older
and not at elementary school level. Why is this? Is it due to the nature of the subject? Well some
mothers feel it way too early to start a conversation about sexual issues to their children because it is
awkward and just not needed. Other parents feel it is very important to talk with their children in
reference to the sexual education piece. Why is there to worlds of difference. Is it the culture we live in,
is it the religion you believe or is it just not needed in some minds? “Good quality school-based
education about these aspects provides safe, structured, and non-judgmental opportunities for young
people to examine their own values and attitudes, and to build decision-making and risk-reduction skills
about many aspects of sexuality and reproductive health” (see Blake 2002; Lloyd 2010).
In today’s world public schools have been banned to teach about the real meaning being sex
education. Contraception’s, STI’s and many other issues that are involved with sex due to the
state legislatures stating that it is not allowed to be talked about in the schools. That these schools
must talk about abstinence before marriage. “Although sex education is often discussed and
evaluated in terms of its role in reducing adolescent pregnancy and STD rates, supporters say its
primary goal is broader: to give young people the opportunity to receive information, examine
their values and learn relationship skills that will enable them to resist becoming sexually active
before they are ready, to prevent unprotected intercourse and to help young people become
responsible, sexually healthy adults” ("School-Based Sexuality Education: The Issues and
Challenges"). As well as a study done in 2006-2008 shows students that did not get educated on
Sex Ed were more likely to have sex rather than the ones that did have the class.

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My opinion is that the states are doing young children a disadvantage in the world that we
live today. Sex Education is very important part for any child. They have to learn about the body
parts and what they do. If we are not educating them then how do they get that knowledge? Well
some kids will get taught about sex education due to their parents not being home or just to busy
to sit down with their children to go over this. Children that have been taught about sex and
boundaries are more than likely going to do things correct. Kids that have not been taught are
more likely to not have boundaries and be more willing to explore in areas they should not. Per
Health 24 there are steps to teach your children sex education. One explain the body, second
show pictures even if they are over rated to show them, third use human beings and not virtual
humans, fourth the way you talk about sex to your child (most have a natural response), fifth call
the genitals the correct names, six teach your child the right time to have sex, seventh talk about
the emotional part of sex, eight talk to your child even when they do not have questions about
sex, and continues teaching of sex education. From the basics to the future. ("Educate Young
Children About Sex"). Educating your children is by far the most important thing you can do but if it is
not done at home I feel that each public and private schools should teach the basics to our children.
The states say we have to teach no sex before marriage and that is it. What is that going
to do but harm our children in the long run. I say educate our children young and continue their
education as they grow threw the school ages. Schools have restrictions and most schools do not
educate students until mid-school which in some schools is six grade and some are seventh
grade. Do you think these young men and women aren’t learning about their bodies before that?
So why are we being the states making a demand on no sex till marriage and that is it. Do we see
some girls getting pregnant before they hit middle school, well the answer is yes? So, if we
educate them young about sex and what it does and what it doesn’t do. Don’t you believe it will
stop it? “Formal sex education—curriculum-based programs both in and out of school—is a key

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strategy for promoting safer sexual behaviors for adolescents and young adults” (Shibboleth
Authentication Request).
With the states only allowing certain teachings in some states at least some sex education
is being taught. With how I feel and with some states allowing certain things I do believe it is
going to help in many ways through out young adults. Educating the young population on the
good and the bad can prevent some sexual encounters. If the states would allow teachers to teach
the basics at a younger age it probably would change a lot more down the road. Todays world
with the media and all the sex culture out there that each young child and young adults see, we as
educators should be taking a hard approach for allowing this type of education into the schools.
We teach the children how to read, math, science, history and all the other extra classes they
have why not educate them on things that they will experience in life. Not every child is lucky to
have parents at home to teach them and guide them. So, if the one safe place they can learn this
is from the teachers they trust and see everyday why not. Let’s try to keep statics down on young
girl pregnancy. Keep the rates down for STI’s. Seeing gross pictures of the diseases may just
steer some children away from even thinking about sex. Let’s stand up and speak out in these
states together to teach education on sexual education.
Annotated Biology

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"Educate Young Children About Sex." Health24, 7 Feb. 2011,
www.health24.com/parenting/child/parenting/educate-young-children-about-sex-20120721.
"School-Based Sexuality Education: The Issues and Challenges." Guttmacher
Institute, 6 Dec. 2016,
www.guttmacher.org/journals/psrh/1998/07/school-based-sexuality-
education-issues-and-challenges.
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