The Center for Disease Control has reported that half of all new STI’s diagnosed each year are detected in 15 to 24 year olds (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). Just under half of the states in the United States require that public schools teach sex education (National Conference of State Legislators, 2016). Many public schools do teach sex education even if law in that state does not require it. Yet, the number of STI’s in adolescents and young adults is rising. It is important to teach accurate and informative information about sex and its benefits and risks, however it is not enough. As a group, we are looking to reduce the risk of contracting an STI by targeting at risk youth living in impoverished environments. Education,
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It is not enough to simply teach about STI’s and why they would want to avoid them since many of these teens are not afraid of the risks because they cannot see a long-term future for themselves. Public education is offered and required in all 50 states; placing good teachers who can also be a mentor to students may be a good place to start. Electives in middle school and high school are a place where adolescents can find something they are not only interested in, but something they may also find they are passionate about. Music education can be an important intervention in the lives of at risk adolescents (Shields, 2011). The music teacher in this class would be given the privilege to mentor his or her students. Mentors in these roles at the schools are not only the teacher, they are in the role of being in a helping relationship with the student. Learning music (or another elective) gives the teen the opportunity to gain self-perception of their musical ability and its relationship to each one’s own self-perception and self-worth. Raising each teen’s self-worth in order to reduce STI’s is one option that could work. In increasing self-worth and value, the teen may not feel so hopeless about the future and decide to wait to have sex in order to pursue other dreams. The teacher/mentor can be a great source of …show more content…
However, it is necessary that the root of the issue is addressed and not only the behavior itself that causes these infections. When an adolescent living in poverty has a chance to connect with an adult that is a friend, encourager, teacher, and confidant, they can have the ability to begin to see the great value in their own life. They can see not only value, but that they have a purpose. This instills great hope within an individual. This hope allows for a disadvantaged teen to rise above his or her circumstances by taking pride in themselves and their bodies. They will have the choice to not act out in risky behaviors when they are given other options. Knowing they have a future can help each adolescent to plan and look forward to the good life that awaits
It is not enough to simply teach about STI’s and why they would want to avoid them since many of these teens are not afraid of the risks because they cannot see a long-term future for themselves. Public education is offered and required in all 50 states; placing good teachers who can also be a mentor to students may be a good place to start. Electives in middle school and high school are a place where adolescents can find something they are not only interested in, but something they may also find they are passionate about. Music education can be an important intervention in the lives of at risk adolescents (Shields, 2011). The music teacher in this class would be given the privilege to mentor his or her students. Mentors in these roles at the schools are not only the teacher, they are in the role of being in a helping relationship with the student. Learning music (or another elective) gives the teen the opportunity to gain self-perception of their musical ability and its relationship to each one’s own self-perception and self-worth. Raising each teen’s self-worth in order to reduce STI’s is one option that could work. In increasing self-worth and value, the teen may not feel so hopeless about the future and decide to wait to have sex in order to pursue other dreams. The teacher/mentor can be a great source of …show more content…
However, it is necessary that the root of the issue is addressed and not only the behavior itself that causes these infections. When an adolescent living in poverty has a chance to connect with an adult that is a friend, encourager, teacher, and confidant, they can have the ability to begin to see the great value in their own life. They can see not only value, but that they have a purpose. This instills great hope within an individual. This hope allows for a disadvantaged teen to rise above his or her circumstances by taking pride in themselves and their bodies. They will have the choice to not act out in risky behaviors when they are given other options. Knowing they have a future can help each adolescent to plan and look forward to the good life that awaits