Sex tends to be a tender subject to some people, teens especially. Most middle and high schools require sex education so that students can talk about this topic in a community setting, but different schools and different people within schools have opposing views on how and when it should be taught, and if it should even be taught at all.
The abstinence-only teaching approach includes lecturing students about the risks of sex before marriage, but not how to protect themselves if they choose to go against the lessons. Those who believe in this technique argue that taking away the casualty of sex is the only solution that fully prevents STDs.
Sarah Brown, the director of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy says, “There’s real adult discomfort with the high level of sexual activity among teenagers.” 6.6% of American children start their sex lives before the age of 13, and over 60% by the time they are seniors in high school. These statistics prove that abstinence might not be the most effective way to teach sex education, for abstinence-only education does not always lead to abstinent behavior.
“It’s not realistic to assume all teens are going to remain abstinent,” said Dora Anne Mills, director of the Maine Bureau of Health. “And withholding information will not make them abstinent.”
The problem with abstinence-based (as opposed to abstinence-only) programs is that birth control methods only encourage students to be sexually active either because they are relieved by the idea that they can have sex and be safe or because the distribution and teaching of contraceptive products gives them the notion that they are expected to use those products and that having sex is the norm. The abstinence-based way is successful only if it includes the teaching of (1) social pressures that encourage sexual behaviors and (2) how to practice communication, negotiation, and refusing skills. It should focus on how to develop decision making skills in addition to what you should do if you decide to be sexually active.
Hewitt employs the abstinence-based teaching approach by familiarizing Middle School students with general terms like puberty, reproduction, and sexuality. This basic familiarity forms the foundation on which more complex knowledge is built up in the Upper School, when educators in the sexual education field are brought in as guest speakers to add to students’ existing knowledge and to clarify any misconceptions.
Ms. Young, the Middle and Upper School Counselor at Hewitt stated, “I think sexuality education should be included in a comprehensive health and wellness curriculum beginning in seventh grade and continuing through Upper School, in a way that supports understanding of one’s sexuality in the context of physical, emotional, and social development. Beginning sexuality education in seventh grade allows the curriculum to develop each year to support students as they deal with the many challenges and decisions of adolescence.”
Many students agree with Ms. Young. “I think that it is highly important that we learn about sexual education because we, as adolescents living in New York City, are exposed to many things,” said Amanda Rovitz ’15.
“If we don’t have a real expert telling us how to protect ourselves, who will?” asked Adeline Dubov ’15.
However, the 9th grade recently left wellness class, shocked when they were informed about there being a right and wrong way to put a condom on. Many of the girls were surprised that they were not taught this until now. Activities like putting a condom on a banana, although may be silly, could be very beneficial to teach in sex education classes.
“I was very shocked to be just finding this out; I felt in the dark about potentially useful information,” stated Rachel Meyers ’15.
I think sex education is absolutely necessary in every school. The adult in the room should not put off what he or she thinks isn’t relevant to the age group receiving the information, but should accept that situations may arise and may even not. These lessons should be thorough and clear. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
I’m really glad someone reported on this-I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. I think that the key to successful sexual education is knowing that not telling students doesn’t keep them from doing it-sometimes you just have to accept that teens have sex, and educate them to the best of your ability.
Nice work!