There is a reasonable possibility that some of the teens reading this topic are sexually active. Even if they are not now sexually active they may become so in the future. After all, teens are becoming sexually active at younger ages. By the time they are seventeen years old, about half of all females and two-thirds of all males will have had intercourse. For females, the first sexual experience is usually unplanned. Most often, it occurs before a medical provider has prescribed birth control or shared information on preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Sexually active teens are not necessarily informed about sexuality, pregnancy and STIs. The pregnancy rate among U.S. teens is two to five times higher than in other developed countries. About one million teens become pregnant each year. The rates are particularly high for teens under the age of fifteen and for African American teens. Further, it has been estimated that every year there are about twelve millions new cases of STIs. Approximately, twenty-five percent of these occur in teens between the ages of thirteen and nineteen. Some STIs have the ability to render serious illness or even kill. HIV continues to spread rapidly among teens. One out of every four new infections occurs in someone younger than twenty-two. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are common among teens.
Health professionals commonly agree that there is far too little sex education, both at home and at school. While health professionals could also be a source of information, in today’s world of managed care and shortened appointments, there is probably little time for significant amounts of instruction.
Of course, sex education should begin at a relatively young age. Many parents begin to speak about certain sex education topics to their children when they are young. Whether or not parents directly address the issue, they pass along their thoughts on the topic. Some parents make it quite clear that they are very uncomfortable discussing sexual issues. When that occurs, teens are unlikely to turn to them for assistance. That prematurely closes an important avenue for communication. Parents should try to make their children feel comfortable about sex. But that does not mean that parents should approve of sexual relations between teens. Large numbers of parents believe that teens are just too young to handle the responsibility and potential problems associated with sex. Parents should clearly state their opinions. One good means to open the dialogue is for parents and children to attend programs on topics such as puberty sponsored by local schools, civic organizations or religious groups.
Most teens have probably had some sex education at school. And most parents, teachers and students support the inclusion of sex education in the educational curriculum, especially during the middle school and high school years. Still, relatively little time is set aside for this instruction. On average, in seventh grade, about twelve hours are spent on sex education. By the twelfth grade, this has increased to eighteen hours. At present, most courses tend to focus on reproduction and pregnancy. Less time is generally devoted to the related psychological issues such as pressure to have sex and the emotional consequences of having sex. In addition, the sex education curricula tend not to address talking to parents and partners about sexual health issues and how to access medical care.
Often, sex education classes emphasize abstinence or delaying sex until adolescents are older. In fact, there is research indicating that some private-sector abstinence—only programs work. But there is also research that has found that teens who participate in these groups change their behavior. What do abstinence programs teach? They tell teens that they can only lose their virginity once. Such a gift should be saved for marriage. In addition, they outline the limitations of the different forms of birth control. For example, condoms do not prevent human papillomavirus infection, which has been associated with cervical cancer. There is a strong emphasis on the negative psychological and physical consequences of premarital sex. Teens are told that they will have fewer opportunities for future happiness if they are having sex outside of marriage. A number of these programs are finding that there are reductions in sexual activity, a lowering of the pregnancy rate and more positive attitudes about abstinence.
Yet, not everyone agrees. Opponents of these programs contend that they fail to provide teens with the information they need to know about safer sex. They warn that the majority of these teens will ultimately become sexually active before marriage. Without comprehensive sex education, they will lack the tools to prevent pregnancy and STDs. Teens need to understand that a single act of unprotected sex may change the course of their lives.
Some people have compared sex education to the “designated driver” rule. In an ideal world, no one would drink and drive. So, since some teens do drink, it is best that they select a designated driver. Similarly, it would be best for teens not to engage in sex. But since some do, they should be prepared and take precautions to prevent unwanted pregnancy and STIs.
It should be noted that there is no proof that participating in comprehensive sex education classes increase sexual activity. They do not hasten the onset of sexual activity or increase the number of partners or sexual encounters. On the contrary, comprehensive sex education may help teens postpone sex. While Planned Parenthood, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) advocate sex education, it is also supported by mainstream organizations such as the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association.
Nevertheless, there are many opponents of comprehensive sex education. Some parents maintain that sex education must be home based. To them, sex should not be discussed in a public setting. In fact, they often consider sex outside marriage to be sinful. When their children attend public schools where there are comprehensive sex education classes, they may insist that their children not attend. And, that is their right as parents. There are also large conservative organizations that voice similar sentiments. Not surprisingly, those who sell abstinence-only curriculum materials or sponsor classes are opposed to comprehensive sex education.
In this age of computers, it should not be forgotten that the Internet is a source of sex education. There are a number of excellent sites to which teens can turn for information. One can try to pick those by large, reputable organizations such as the one sponsored by Columbia University www.goaskalice.columbia.edu or the Young Women’s Resource Center at the Division of Adolescent Medicine at the Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School (www.youngwomenshealth.org). And teens should be careful to avoid any site with pornography. If a teen has any concerns about a particular site, then it is appropriate to check with his or her parents or teachers. They can help determine if a site is reputable and will have the answers to the teen’s questions.
Related topics:
Academics, AIDS, birth control, emergency contraception, pregnancy termination, safer sex, sexual intercourse, sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancy
