Should children be taught sex education in school

Sex education has become imperative in today’s modern world where children are more outgoing and social. Several organizations and governments across the world have stressed on the need for sex education in schools as the initial values instilled within a child contributes to a great length to its overall development and behavior. Early sex education will help children to gain a better understanding about their bodies and sexuality which will help prevent sexual abuse and misunderstanding of sexual preferences. “ Nowadays with the rapid growth of information, sex information is everywhere. Children are curious about sex.” (Student health service, 2010). Sex education in schools becomes even more warranted in cases where parents do not have appropriate education and resources to guide their children. In addition to schools, both family and society also need to contribute to educating children on reproductive health and well being. It is the moral right of every child, especially girls, to be provided with sex education as it will help to prevent unwarranted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and conditions such as suicide (On the need, 2010). With the rapid growth in information, the term sex is being often used in today’s world. Thus it has become a matter of importance to teach young children about the correct concepts regarding sexual matters before they become misled by inappropriate information provided by the media and other resources (Student health service, 2010). It is vital to begin sex education programs before children reach puberty and it should continue as long as children are able to make correct judgments about sexual practices (Sex education that works, n. d). Many people have argued against detailed sex education for children with the fear that they may negatively influence them. However, frightening people about sex and sexual practices have not helped them to understand the morality of sex. “ Attempts to impose narrow moralistic views about sex and sexuality on young people through sex education have failed.” Only effective sex education will help people to rationally analyze sexual practices. (Sex education that works, n. d). The major objectives of sex education should be to help children understand the body of the two sexes and also about childbirth. This will help the child to accept the changes that occur within their body as they grow and also that of others (Student health service, 2010). Early sex education should begin at home and parents are responsible for teaching their children about sex using appropriate materials and through effective communication. In addition school-based sex-education can also help children to gain a wider knowledge about sexual issues (Student health service, 2010; Sex education that works, n. d). There is no longer any debate about the need for sex education in schools as a large consensus about the requirement of sex education in schools has already been reached. A recent poll conducted by the NPR, Kaiser family foundation and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government has found that majority of parents in America are in support for sex education in schools. “ A new poll….. finds that only 7% of the Americans say sex education should not be taught in schools.” Thus a majority of Americans have acknowledged the growing need for teaching sex to children in school (Sex Education in America, n. d). There are various debates about what should be taught in sex education classes. While a minority of Americans believes that schools should only teach sexual abstinence, a majority of the people believe that in addition to abstinence children should also be taught about birth control and contraception which would help them in situations where they were unable to refrain from sex (Sex Education in America, n. d). Sex education in schools should encompass topics related to sexual development and reproduction, contraception and birth control and also about relationships and the importance of marriage and commitment (Sex education that works n. d). School sex education programs should be effective so that students get the message in a manner appropriate to their age and understanding. While very young children can be taught about how people grow and how babies are formed and their growth, older children should be provided with additional details about sexual health. In case of teenagers, risky behaviors of unsafe sexual practices, factors that influence the sexual behavior of children, sexual abstinence and information about the use of contraceptive method need to be explained in greater detail. Sex education programs should also include communication and assertive skills by which students can deal with peer pressure in issues related to sex. The teaching methods should relate to the age, experience and cultural background of the children so that they will be able to personalize the information provided to them. In addition, sex educators should also provide constant access to information pertaining to sex and should constantly support students through training and consultation (Sex education that works, n. d). Thus given the present change in lifestyles sex education in schools has become a necessity in order to protect the health and welfare of future generations. Reference 1. On the need for children’s sex education. (2010). ABSCBNnews. com. Retrieved 20 May, 2011, from http://www. abs-cbnnews. com/insights/07/04/10/need-childrens-sex-education 2. Student health service. (2010). Studenthealth. gov. hk. Retrieved 20 May, 2011, from http://www. studenthealth. gov. hk/english/resources/resources_bl/files/lf_se_fse. pdf 3. Sex education that works. (n. d). Avert. org. Retrieved 20 May, 2011, from http://www. avert. org/sex-education. htm 4. Sex Education in America. (n. d). kff. org. Retrieved 20 May, 2011, from http://www. kff. org/newsmedia/upload/Sex-Education-in-America-Summary. pdf