There are two schools of thought regarding sexual education. Some parents simply say, “Don’t do it,” while others arm their children information. While most would prefer the latter, there are some schools in the country that are skipping out on sex ed with dire consequences. Sexual Education is a vital part of teaching our youth about HIV/AIDs awareness and recent statistics show that those who receive it are in a better place than those who don’t.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, students who receive sex education are less likely to:
- Be sexually active
- Have multiple sex partners
- Miss school because of safety concerns
- Be forced to have sex
In fact, school health programs can have a positive influence on a variety of areas, including the reduced risk of sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS and unplanned pregnancies. This, in turn, keeps kids in school and decreases substance abuse.
Good sex education in schools is taught by qualified teachers and is engaging for all students, even if they may be squirming in their seats or a bit uncomfortable. And remember sex education isn’t just about sex. Proper education also touches on body autonomy, puberty, consent and more.
In February, eight states, including Kentucky, Mississippi, Florida, North Dakota, and others, passed bills either reducing or cutting out sex education completely. Some provided “abstinence-only” education instead of sex education. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, not teaching basic health and sex education the class room not only increases risks of STIs and pregnancy, but sets up children for failure rather than success.
Overall, sex education is important. And there are lot of resources online for parent and guardians who might want to start the discussions to supplement discussions at school. To get more information visit, Planned Parenthood, The Healthy Teen Network, and The Mayo Clinic.
Christina Montoya Fiedler
Christina Montoya Fiedler is a news writer based in Los Angeles, CA. She’s a mom, wife, blogger, former publicist, lima bean hater, and coffee drinker extraordinaire — but not necessarily in that order. You can follow her on Twitter @cmf2009.
