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Comprehensive Sex Education Essay

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Introduction The topic I have chosen for my perspective paper is regarding sex education in American public schools. The topic itself has been and continues to be a controversial issue in the United States. The two main styles taught in American schools include: comprehensive and abstinence-only sex education. Comprehensive is evidence based education which focuses on abstinence as a choice. It teaches individuals about contraception, sexually transmitted diseases and techniques of avoiding such diseases. In contrast abstinence-only education emphasizes abstinence until marriage and dismisses any information regarding contraception. Therefore, I have chosen to focus specifically on those in favor of comprehensive and proponents of abstinence-only …show more content…
Several studies have concluded that while comprehensive sex education does not promote the onset of sexual activity among youth, abstinence-only programs were not effective in delaying the onset of sex either. Advocates of comprehensive programs also argue that abstinence-only programs “use curricula that distort information about the effectiveness of contraceptives, misrepresent risks of abortion, blur religion and science, treat stereotypes about girls and boys as scientific fact, and contain basic errors” (Comprehensive Sex Education: Research and Results, …show more content…
There are various arguments from both perspectives for and against each method. Despite the fact that both approaches take on a contrasting approach, they both aim to reduce the number of unplanned teenage pregnancies along with a reduction in sexually transmitted diseases. Nonetheless, those in favor of abstinence-only approach argue such programs influence the delay of onset of sexual activity. In contrast, comprehensive proponents dispute such programs lack adequate sex information to prevent unplanned pregnancies and spread of sexual transmitted diseases among young

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