Abstinence vs Condom Distributiom
Sexual education was introduced to the American public school system in 1913. The superintendent of schools, Ella Flagg Young promoted the teaching of sexual education and implemented sex hygiene lectures in the Chicago, IL School system (Allen 17). The goal then was to reduce social problems such as venereal disease and prostitution by educating the public about sex. Now, in the beginning of the twenty-first century, goals are different, but the conflicting opinions on sexual education are still going on strong. Health promotion goals for teenagers include postponement of sexual activity until psycho social maturity and consistent use of condoms by those who do engage in sexual intercourse (Dillion 35). Most people agree with these goals to a certain degree. However, the tension arises when methods of meeting these goals are discussed. The following report explains some of the biggest issues dwelling around how the public schools should teach sexual education. The two ma!in options discussed are teaching abstinence and condom distribution. Throughout the US, school districts and states are basing their policies around these two ideas. The importance of this issue is very significant. Over last century, our statistics for
The second controversial option for school sexual education solution is distributing condoms in high schools to students. Many school districts have already begun to do this. Many different methods of condom distribution have been tried, from anonymous, unlimited supply, to special handouts after discussing your situation with a high school counselor (Thomas 7). Studies show that condom distribution does not increase condom use among sexually active students, and that it neither hastens initiation of sexual activity nor results in greater frequency of intercourse among students (Archer 17). Results were particularly good for higher risk students, which are those who had 3 or more partners in the last six months. The use of condoms at last intercourse was two times higher than a similar school that did not have condom distribution. Proponents claim that condom distribution lets students know that the community cares about their total health and well being, and there are adults ! Abstinence is clinically proven to be the only 100% effective way to prevent pregnancy, avoid STDs, and avoid HIV/AIDS. It is widely believed that abstinence is the only way to prevent the emotional, social and mental damage that can be cause by premarital or pre-psychosocially mature sex (Radosh 30). However, it is also strongly believed that teaching abstinence promotes naive thinking about sex. It neglects the necessary teaching of birth control and contraceptive methods. It is argued that the only teaching abstinence cheats youth out of knowledge they deserve to have, since they are physically capable of intercourse, and many of them do choose to be sexually involved. Abstinence methods are usually ineffective to students who are already sexually active. We know that teens are doing this, so how can we not teach them how to do it safely? Teachin
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Approximate Word count = 1239
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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