Sex education, arguably one of the most controversial topics to surface in American politics over the past half century, poses a complicated problem to citizens and lawmakers alike. Following the AIDS epidemic and severe spike in teen pregnancy in the 1980s, lawmakers and educators began drafting and implementing more sex education classes and courses in public schools in an attempt to remedy the ever-growing issue. While the desired results of sex ed are largely agreed on, the subject matter of such teachings and practices used are a popular subject of debate.
Sex Ed is no stranger to fierce opposition from devout moralists (religiously motivated and secular alike), fundamentalists and ideologues who adhere to more traditional, restrictive …show more content…
Programs are not only being more frequently implemented, but have, generally, become more comprehensive as well. Gone are the days that abstinence-only education was the norm as more thorough, detailed teachings educate students both on the realities of sex and effective forms of protection take center stage. Contraception, masturbation, conception, and gestation are among many topics covered in modern sex education…all in sharp contrast to the conservative practices used during its first years. It is an undeniable fact that sex education is more publicly accepted; and just as sex has become more less taboo and stigmatized, our sexual education has become more comprehensive to accommodate these changes in attitudes. Overall, sex education in general has won the support of the majority Americans—making its methodology and implementation the main focus of debate. But what has inspired this sudden increase in sex education’s social acceptance? Is it the results of such programs, or simply a natural development at our society becomes more tolerant of varying sexualities and sexual …show more content…
Substantial differences in success exist between the more traditional abstinence-only education, comprehensive education, and the more conventional mix between the two forms. One significant aspect to make note of when discussing the results of sex education in schools is these said differences, and their adverse effect on sex ed outcomes. It is quite probable that public’s failure to “distinguish between comprehensive and abstinence-only approaches” (Pan) undersells the true value of sexual education and understates its success. Therefore, it is critical to keep this fact in mind when deliberating the pros and cons of sex education, as well as weighing the data. It is a common misconception that abstinence-only education and comprehensive is equally effective, abstinence-only programs having even been painted as the superior by political actors and the public at large. However, these all too prevalent beliefs have no merit, as shown by works such as “The Knowledge Gap Versus the Belief Gap and Abstinence-Only Sex Education”
Sex Ed is no stranger to fierce opposition from devout moralists (religiously motivated and secular alike), fundamentalists and ideologues who adhere to more traditional, restrictive …show more content…
Programs are not only being more frequently implemented, but have, generally, become more comprehensive as well. Gone are the days that abstinence-only education was the norm as more thorough, detailed teachings educate students both on the realities of sex and effective forms of protection take center stage. Contraception, masturbation, conception, and gestation are among many topics covered in modern sex education…all in sharp contrast to the conservative practices used during its first years. It is an undeniable fact that sex education is more publicly accepted; and just as sex has become more less taboo and stigmatized, our sexual education has become more comprehensive to accommodate these changes in attitudes. Overall, sex education in general has won the support of the majority Americans—making its methodology and implementation the main focus of debate. But what has inspired this sudden increase in sex education’s social acceptance? Is it the results of such programs, or simply a natural development at our society becomes more tolerant of varying sexualities and sexual …show more content…
Substantial differences in success exist between the more traditional abstinence-only education, comprehensive education, and the more conventional mix between the two forms. One significant aspect to make note of when discussing the results of sex education in schools is these said differences, and their adverse effect on sex ed outcomes. It is quite probable that public’s failure to “distinguish between comprehensive and abstinence-only approaches” (Pan) undersells the true value of sexual education and understates its success. Therefore, it is critical to keep this fact in mind when deliberating the pros and cons of sex education, as well as weighing the data. It is a common misconception that abstinence-only education and comprehensive is equally effective, abstinence-only programs having even been painted as the superior by political actors and the public at large. However, these all too prevalent beliefs have no merit, as shown by works such as “The Knowledge Gap Versus the Belief Gap and Abstinence-Only Sex Education”