Sex Education

Children and young adults today distinguish right from wrong based on their previous knowledge. The education they receive plays a major role in the way they make decisions. Sex is a controversial topic brought up frequently throughout a child’s life. Based on the way it is taught, the child makes decisions that may forever change his or her life. (Sex Education That 3) Although it is often opposed, the two most essential ways children learn about sex today is the education they receive at home and at school.

The relationship and behavior between children and their parents is crucial to the ways these children shape their own sexual ideas and values A child who perceives his relationship to his parents as supportive and close, is more likely to sexually behave in a way approved by his or her parents than a child brought up in an unhealthy environment. (Single-Sex Education 1) Furthermore, communication is more effective in a loving family relationship, and a child who feels loved generally feels good about his or her general outlook on sex. (Straight Talk About 56) Along with normal education, sex education must progress and grow with the individual child. Often, there is a real communication barrier between parents and children when it comes to talking about sex. (Sex Education That 2 ) The children sometimes feel awkward asking parents personal questions. In numerous situations, kids are left with many unanswered questions. A small number of adults know for sure what their kids think about sex, or do not know their son’s or daughter’s sexual experiences. (Choosing Virginity 68 )Parents frequently wish to talk to their children but are sometimes too ashamed or just too ignorant. Yet, adults still do not seek ways to give children an adequate education in order for the child to overcome lack of knowledge regarding human sexuality. (Sexual Values 68) If all parents were to teach, clarify, and help their children understand, it would provide better means for coping with sexual needs in a responsible manner. (Choosing Virginity 70) Ignorance and bliss are not valid excuses for providing the much-needed sex education. However, the home setting is still very beneficial.

Sex education does not always refer to the education of sex. It involves many different concepts put together to inform children, and young adults about their society. It is also the process of acquiring information and forming attitudes and beliefs about sex, sexual identity, relationships, intimacy, and developing young people’s skills so that they make informed choices about their behavior. In addition, many parents would also like schools to share the responsibility for helping their kids learn to make healthy choices that protect themselves and others. (Single-Sex Education 3)

Sex education in school differs from in the home. For instance, a survey conducted in 1985 by Louis Harris states that nine out of ten parents say they want their children to receive more sex education in school than at home. (Sexual Values 43) The school’s duty is not to preach about whether or not any particular kind of sexual behavior is good or bad, or to judge the correctness of the attitudes and behavior of the teenagers. Rather, it is to teach a proper respect for sex and a realization of its beauty, while still approaching it responsibly. (Straight Talk About 82) Teaching facts is not the same as telling kids what to do and many teens know the difference. It broadens the child's view and knowledge of this matter. Teaching both benefits of abstinence and the facts of contraception is not a mixed message, however it is stating the different options kids have. It is a balanced message which teenagers are perfectly capable of understanding. In the United States, controversy over what message should be given to children has put sex education programs in a weak position. (Sex Education That 34) The two major expressions used by many schools today are “just say no”, and “just say yes”. “Just say no”, as many believe, is easier said than done. It refers to children being peer pressured into doing things they may not want to do. Schools want students to just say no and let it go. “Vows of abstinence made by kids break more often than condoms do”-(Virgin Cool 78) especially in today’s atmosphere of growing peer pressure and sexual publicity in the media. “Just say yes” refers to the acquiring of knowledge about sex education. Yet, sometimes this phrase causes much debate. (Sex Education That 72) On the other hand, private schools such as Catholic schools have little or no regulation over the sexual education taught in their schools. They are able to teach what they want, when they want. Through some schools sex education program, sex is a healthy, fulfilling,