These life behaviors are key to having a successful future in any type of job or society. Only 7 of the 13 states that require information on sexual orientation teach it inclusively (Sex and HIV). The states that teach negative information on sexual orientation only add to the confusion and mistreatment of LGBTQ youth. Sex education clearly teaches subjects far beyond just the act of sex, and should be included in all 50 states. Safe sex is an extremely important part of a comprehensive sex education, and it is a fundamental right to all students. Safe sex education teaches students about reproductive health, contraception, pregnancy, abortion, STDs/STIs, HIV and AIDS, and sexual abuse. Introducing the topic to all students in America is the
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The late 1980’s and early 1990’s had the highest pregnancy, abortion, and birth rates ever seen in America. In 2010, the teenage pregnancy rate dropped down 51% to 57.4 teen pregnancies per 1,000 women since its peak in 1990 (Wind). The birthrate of children born to women 15-19 years of age was 34.4 births to every 1,000 women, meaning it dropped 44% since its peak in 1991 when the birthrate was 61.8 births per 1,000 women (Kost 3). Lastly, the abortion peak in 1988 lowered from 43.5 abortions for every 1,000 women to 14.7 abortions per 1,000 women in 2010 (4). Despite slight fluctuations throughout the years, pregnancy rates and the events that followed have been continually lowered throughout the years. These shifts were brought at the same time sex education was being introduced around the country in public schools, and not by coincidence. Evaluations of safe sex education programs show that they do not increase the rates of students having sex, nor do they lower the age that students start having sex at (McKeon). They also do not increase the number of sexual partners youth have or the frequency of sex had (Implementing Sex). Douglas Kirby, a researcher for the National Campaign to End Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, found that 40% of students in safe-sex programs delayed the age of sexual initiation, reduced partners, or increased the condom and contraception use. He also found that 30% reduced the frequency of sex, and 60% reduced unprotected sex (Comprehensive
The late 1980’s and early 1990’s had the highest pregnancy, abortion, and birth rates ever seen in America. In 2010, the teenage pregnancy rate dropped down 51% to 57.4 teen pregnancies per 1,000 women since its peak in 1990 (Wind). The birthrate of children born to women 15-19 years of age was 34.4 births to every 1,000 women, meaning it dropped 44% since its peak in 1991 when the birthrate was 61.8 births per 1,000 women (Kost 3). Lastly, the abortion peak in 1988 lowered from 43.5 abortions for every 1,000 women to 14.7 abortions per 1,000 women in 2010 (4). Despite slight fluctuations throughout the years, pregnancy rates and the events that followed have been continually lowered throughout the years. These shifts were brought at the same time sex education was being introduced around the country in public schools, and not by coincidence. Evaluations of safe sex education programs show that they do not increase the rates of students having sex, nor do they lower the age that students start having sex at (McKeon). They also do not increase the number of sexual partners youth have or the frequency of sex had (Implementing Sex). Douglas Kirby, a researcher for the National Campaign to End Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, found that 40% of students in safe-sex programs delayed the age of sexual initiation, reduced partners, or increased the condom and contraception use. He also found that 30% reduced the frequency of sex, and 60% reduced unprotected sex (Comprehensive