Sex Ed
In a previous article, we discussed the importance of fully understanding both sides of an argument. In this case the subject happens to be including sex education in school health education classes. Previously, we discussed the benefits of having sex education as a part of a health education program (along with many other aspects of health education). Now we will go further into why parents are against having school health education programs, and sex education in particular. Although religious families are the majority when it comes to being against health education in school, it is important to understand that they are not the only ones. Below you will find the top reasons why parents of all races and religions are against school health education programs.
Sexualization of the youth – Many people believe that exposing children to sex at an early age through a health education class will cause them to have sex earlier than they should. This argument does have some merit, and that is why there should be boundaries set about at what age school health education classes should start sex education. Many children have the same urges that adults do, they just do not know what they mean. Providing an eight year old with in depth details about sex in a health education class is not a route we should be taking.
Contraception – This is something that will most likely only apply to religious groups. There are religions that do not believe that any type of contraception should be used during sex, and that is a major part of sex health education. Parents do not want their children to learn things that are contradictory to their religion in school health education programs, especially when the issue of sex is still taboo in so many families. This same reason is actually why many people advocate school health education, they do not want the beliefs of a parent to negatively affect their child. Whether or not that type of decision is the parents’ decision to make is still under debate.
Parent’s choice – It is the view of many people that the parents should have the right to teach their children about sex if they choose and it should not be the responsibility of the schools to provide a sex health education class. While this may seem like a good idea, many parents do not have the resources or knowledge necessary to teach their children about sex the way that school health education can. This notion has been carried out partially though. If a parent does not want their child to attend a sex health education class, they can write a note to get them out of it. This may make the child feel left singled out and cause other kids to ask questions though.
Both sides of the school health education debate have been laid out more or less at this point. Now it is up to you to decide whether learning about sex belongs in a health education program.
