Normalizing Comprehensive Sex Education
Royce Kostohris
Personal Statement
Showing compassion towards others and creating a positive difference in other people’s lives has always been important to me. This quarter, Fall 2020, has been my first step onto the road towards getting my Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. When my professor prompted me to conduct research for an essay, I knew I wanted to find a relevant topic that could help educate people on their health and wellness. I am hoping this paper will encourage people to begin the discussion about the need for comprehensive sex education in schools everywhere.
Abstract
America’s educational system conventionally requires some form of sexual education curriculum in majority of states. The purpose of sexual education courses is to inform students about their sexual health in order to better prepare them for their future. With this being the case, many advocates are pushing to improve the current state of sexual education and transform it to a more comprehensive content course. Implementing information about relationship abuse if one aspect that many schools leave behind causing students to be less prepared when making decisions when it comes to sex. Not only that, but adding a deeper understanding of consent, more inclusive sexually-transmitted disease (STD) prevention for LGBTQ+ groups, and emphasizing the scope of contraceptive methods beyond abstinence-only will all better guide our youth. Using research from surveys and feedback results from students, the gathered consensus is that comprehensive sexual education is effective. From the statistics, the conclusion can be made that educating students as early as appropriate to their psychological understanding of emotion is important. Beginning to shape how children respect others will transition into teaching them medically accurate and socially inclusive sexual health education.
Keywords: Sexual Education, Comprehensive Sexual Education, Dating Abuse Programs, LGBTQ+ Sex Ed., Abstinence-only Education
Normalizing Comprehensive Sexual Education
When it comes down the preparedness and success of our future generation, the parents, registered voters, and influential advocates of our time must take responsibility for the education provided to our youth. Around the country, according to the National Conference of State Legislators ([NCSL], 2020), “Twenty-two states require that if provided, sex and/or HIV education must be medically, factually or technically accurate.” In simpler terms, only 44% of the nation is creating a sexual education curriculum based off of medical expertise and guidance. From the research done by Guttmacher Institute, a pro-choice research organization, they have found “ages 15 to 24 represent 25 percent of the sexually active population, but acquire half of all new STIs” (as cited in NCSL, 2020). Not only does this mean schools need to dive deeper into the medically guided components of sexual health, but they also nee