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Making Sex Education Mandatory in High Schools

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Making Sex Education Mandatory in High Schools

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Harris It is imperative to support the provision of high quality sexual education in schools. Sexual education in high school continues to be a controversial subject in today’s society. It is wishful thinking to assume that young adults do not engage in sexual activity. Many students become sexually active during high school (McKay and Bissel 48). Canadian guidelines describe sexual health education “the process of equipping individuals, couples, families and communities with the information, motivation, and behavioral skills needed to enhance sexual health and avoid negative outcomes” (McKay and Bissel 53). Parents and teachers are the key source of guidance and support for teenagers in regards to sexuality and sexual behavior (McKay and Bissel 50). Comprehensive sexual health education should be mandatory in high school as it can provide students with accurate information from trained professionals regarding pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) and HIV. Both abstinence-focused and comprehensive sexual education programs agree on the fact that abstinence is the safest method for preventing unwanted pregnancy and STI’s. Those in favor of abstinence-focused programs argue that comprehensive sexual health education programs encourage youth to engage in sexual behavior. Abstinencefocused programs stand behind the notion that one should refrain from sexual activity before marriage (Silva 471). Various programs tend to focus more on the aspects of decision-making, self-esteem, and refusal skills (Hoffman and Maynard 405). These programs rarely offer information on practicing safe sex and the different types of contraceptives available. Also, showing some negative impacts on youth’s willingness to use various contraception methods (McKay and Bissel 50). In support of the

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Harris implementation of school based sexual education, The World Association for Sexology (2008) argues that it is unethical to withhold information necessary for individuals to make personal decisions about their sexual health (World Association 2). The Public Healthy Agency of Canada’s (2008) Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education are based on the belief that sexual health education should be available to all people and that it should be delivered in an appropriate way that is respectful of a person’s right to make knowledgeable choices about sexual health (Public Health Agency). Schools continue to be the main source of sexual health information for young people. As stated by the Public Health Agency of Canada, Since schools are the only formal educational institutions to have meaningful (and mandatory) contact with nearly every young person, they are in a unique position to provide children, adolescents, and young adults with the knowledge, understanding, skills, and attitudes they will need to make and act upon decisions that promote sexual health throughout their lives (Public Health Agency 19). School-based sexual health education can make it easier and more comfortable for parents to discuss sexuality with their child (Weaver, Byers, Sears, Cohen and Randall 21). A study examining the attitudes and experiences of New Brunswick parents regarding sexual health education at school and at home found that 94% of parents agreed that the responsibility should be shared between home and school (Weaver, Byers, Sears, Cohen and Randal 19). If parents are not providing sexual health education at home, it is comforting to know that a level of quality education is being taught in school. Parents

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Harris often fear that they are not capable of providing accurate up to date information about sex. Also, teenagers may feel embarrassed to ask their parents for advice on sexual health and safe sex practices. Parental support is vital as they are an important factor in the success of sexual health education programs. Having sexual health education built into the school curriculum would most likely increase the communication between parents and teenagers. Furthermore, this would provide an opportunity for parents to receive information on sexual health and suggestions on how to discuss the topic in the home (Weaver, Byers, Sears, Cohen and Randal 20). Schools are in a fundamental position to provide sexual health education as they have regular contact with a substantial proportion of the teenage population. Sexual health education provides students with important information about pregnancy. Statistics Canada shows in 2005 a total of 414 pregnancies for girls under the age of 15. Also, in the same year there were 30,534 pregnancies for girls ages 15 to 19 (Pregnancy Outcomes). A number of studies have shown that pregnancy rates decrease as a result of delays in sexual activity and those who are sexually active are using more effective contraceptive methods (McCall and McKay 596). A main focus in comprehensive sexual health education is to provide information on condom efficiency, and how to obtain different types of contraceptives. For example, providing information on the various types of contraceptive methods (condom, birth control pill, Intrauterine device, and female condom). Some schools participate in condom dispensary programs as a form of pregnancy and STI prevention. Rates of teenage pregnancy have declined continually, the percentage of teens that have engaged in sexual intercourse has also

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Harris declined in recent years, and rates of condom use have increased (Saewyc, Taylor, Homma and Ogilvie 5). In addition, the use of birth control pills has increased between 1998 and 2003 (Saewyc, Taylor, Homma and Ogilvie 5). Unintended pregnancy can create a major health responsibility, and at a young age could be considered a negative sexual health outcome. It is fair to assume that pregnancy and child bearing at a young age can have social and economic consequences for the individual, her family, and society as a whole (McKay and Bissel 56) Sexually transmitted infections (STI) pose a major threat to the health and wellbeing of youth. The Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections state that condoms used consistently and correctly provide protection against contracting STI’s. Chlamydia and Human papilloma virus (HPV) is highest among youth in Canada (McKay and Bissel 48). Furthermore, HIV/AIDS is one of leading causes of illness and death in the United States with young people between the ages of 13 and 19 years (Kann, Brener, McManus Wechsler 224). The goal of sexual health education programs is to avoid negative outcomes such as STI/HIV infection (Public Health Agency). Youth need to be informed of the alarming statistics attached to STI’s such as: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HPV, Herpes, and HIV. In 2005, Statistics Canada asked the question “Have you ever been diagnosed with a STI?” Findings showed that 20.6% of both male and females age 15 to 24 responded that at some point they have contracted an STI (Selected Characteristics). Studies showed that in 2009 condom use among Canada’s younger youth was increasing, however, a tendency for older sexually active teens to lack consistent condom use. Consequently, reflecting the notion that young people in Canada

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Harris underrate their risk for STI’s (McKay and Bissel 52). Understanding the negative consequences of risky sexual behavior will in turn lead to responsible decision making in regards to sexual health. Also, how to obtain and properly use condoms for those who may choose to be or are sexually active can preclude behaviors that may lead to HIV infection or other STI’s (Kann, Brener, McManus Wechsler 224). Sexual health education also can address the many misconceptions about how STI/HIV is contracted. For example, a common misconception is that HIV can only be transmitted though homosexual intercourse (The White House). It is safe to conclude that young people are choosing to become sexually active during their teenage years. Young people are bombarded with images and stories about sex on television and in the media 24/7. Young people will often surf the Internet for answers and ask their peers about sex, however, this information is not always going to be accurate. Some would argue that the television series “16 and Pregnant” in fact glorifies pregnancy as ‘cool.’ Therefore, we must ask ourselves, if we want the youth of today turning to the media for information on sexual health. School-based sexual health education programs provide a safe environment that is conducive to sexual health. In order to successfully promote the sexual health of today’s youth we must put into practice high quality comprehensive sexual health education programs. Programs that provide STI/HIV and pregnancy prevention education , focussing on the importance of using contraceptive consistently and correctly to those who decide to be sexually active can prevent high risk sexual behavior (Kann, Brener, McManus, Wechsler 224). In turn, these

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Harris programs will be highly effective in assisting youth in reducing their risk of sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy.

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Harris References Herr, Scott W., Susan K. Telljohann, James H. Price, Joseph A. Dake, and Gregory E. Stone. “High School Health-Education Teachers’ Perceptions and Practices Related to Teaching HIV Prevention” Journal of School Health 82 (2012): 514-521. Print. Hoffman, Saul D. and Rebecca A. Maynard. Kids Having Kids. Washington: The Urban Institute Press, 2008. Print. Kann, Laura, Nancy Brener, Timothy McManus, and Howell Wechsler. “HIV, Other STD, and Pregnancy Prevention Education in Public Secondary Schools.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 61 (2012): 222-228. Web. 8 Nov. 2012. McCall, Douglas, and Alex McKay. “School-Based and School-Linked Sexual Health Education and Promotion in Canada” SOGC Policy Statement 146 (2004): 596-599. Print. McKay, Alexander, and Mary Bissell. “Sexual Health Education in the Schools: Questions & Answers (3rd Edition)” Sex Information and Education Council of Canada 18 (2009): 47-60. Print. “Pregnancy Outcomes By Age Group.” Statistics Canada. Government of Canada, n.d. Web. 2005 Public Health Agency of Canada. Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education. Ottawa: Public Health Agency of Canada, 2008. Print.

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Harris Saewyc, Elizabeth M., Darlene Taylor, Yuko Homma, and Gina Ogilvie. “Trends in Sexual Health and Risk Behaviors Among Adolescent Students in British Columbia” The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality 17 (2008): 1-12 Print. “Selected Charcteristics of Sexual Risk Study Outcomes Samples, Household Population Aged 15-49.” Statistics Canada. Government of Canada, n.d. Web. 2005 Silva, Mónica. “The Effectiveness of School-based Sex Education Programs in the Promotion of Abstinent Behavior: A Meta-Analysis” Health Education Research 17.4 (2002): 471-481. Print. Weaver, Angela D., Sandra E. Byers, Heather A. Sears, Jacqueline N. Cohen, and Hilary E.S. Randall. “Sexual Health Education at School and at Home: Attitudes and Experiences on New Brunswick Parents” The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality 11 (2002): 19-30. Print. The White House. National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States. Washington: The White House Office of National Aids Policy, 2010. Print. World Association for Sexual Health. Sexual Health for the Millennium: A Declaration and Technical Document. Minneapolis: World Association for Sexology, 2008. Print.

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