When it comes to rates of teen pregnancy, childbearing
and abortion, the United States lags far behind many
other industrialized nations in dealing with this
important social issue. In a study by the Alan Guttmacher Institute, adolescents'
sexual activities were similar across the five countries studied (United States,
Sweden, France, Great Britain and Canada) yet the study concluded that teens
in the United States became pregnant and gave birth more often. In addition,
studies show that American teens have higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases.
This comparison begs us to ask, why are American teens getting pregnant more
often? How can it be that as a leading industrialized nation - with a comprehensive
public educational system - our young adults are so far behind other nations
and their teenage populations on this social issue?
The answer is sex education or rather the lack of it. When entering into the
discussion about sex education several key issues arise. Whose job is it to teach
young people how to act responsibly? And what does that responsibility really
mean?
Ideally, parents are the primary sex educators for their children. Nonetheless,
parents are often ill equipped to take on this task, often too embarrassed or
lacking basic knowledge themselves. If we are to truly make an impact on our
nation's comparatively poor scores in the teen pregnancy fight, we must make
sex education a long-term part of basic education.
Teaching comprehensive, medically accurate, age-appropriate
sex education – that
teaches both abstinence and disease prevention -- is one of the most effective
ways to combat this social issue. Making this happen inside our schools with
trained teachers and community involvement is a vital step to real change. Teens
act responsibly when equipped with the best information to make choices about
sexual activity, and this means all information, including the facts about birth
control and condom usage.
For example, [tell a great story about a program in your community here].
Yes, we would all like young adults to abstain from sexual activity until they
are married and/or in a committed and healthy relationship. Truth be told, it
is rare that this happens. The best we can do for our youth is to teach them
how to successfully deal with peer pressure, gain negotiation skills, and if
they do become sexually active, how to prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually
transmitted diseases.
Studies often show that teens who receive sex education delay their first sexual
encounter and often times have fewer partners. Educating our young population
about sex doesn't mean they are going to engage in sexual relationships earlier,
it just means that if and when they are ready to become sexually active they
are better prepared.
Most community leaders believe that these sex education programs are already
being taught in their schools and tend to ignore this important issue. However,
the only way to be certain is to ask. Find out what is being taught in your school.
If it doesn’t include information about ways young people can protect themselves
from sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies, do something
about it.
Comprehensive sex education provides the well-balanced approach that young adults
need.
