Discussion Post on Sex Education
Would a comprehensive sex education where we talk to our children about sexuality make the other intervention unnecessary?
There is an urgent need for quality and comprehensive sexuality education among teenagers and adolescents. Only 34% of young adults in the world can demonstrate precise knowledge about HIV transmission and prevention hence the need for CSE (Bailey, 2005). This knowledge is subtle to young people as they can realize their health, well-being, and dignity since they are empowered with the proper values, skills, and attitudes. This results in respect of social and sexual relationships among young people since they can make the legal decisions concerning their well-being.
Young people are also able to communicate freely about sexuality and sexual health since they can pass on the values we learn. They understand and value their bodily autonomy hence, showing dignity to all people regardless of their sexual orientation, race, or gender. The other approach of teaching young people about sexual health is Evidence-based interventions (EBIs) (Wile, 2013). They are the most effective for groups of students at high risk. The set programs are involved in the prevention of teen pregnancy, STDs, and HIV.
The results of these programs show a statistically outstanding decrease in teen pregnancy, HIV infection, and STDs. Sexually active youths can use protection more often and a remarkable delay in the timing of first intimate initiation. There has also been considerable success in the use of contraception among young people (Bailey, 2005). The program is rigorous, although not all rounded. Comprehensive sex education is more preferable since it molds an all-rounded person and educates the youth comprehensively based on a large number of issues.
There are reforms in CSE, including the revision of the Guidance published in 2009. The former Guidance catered for the provision of knowledge to young people based on their reproductive and sexual health, but this new Guidance provides for their overall personal development and well-being. It reiterates the disposition of sexuality education within a scheme of human rights and gender equality (Wile, 2013). Sexuality is presented from a positive approach reflecting its contribution to that realization of several internationally agreed commitments concerning reproductive health. The treatment of the set 2030 goals concerning health, gender equality, and inclusivity of women and girl’s empowerment is also included in the Guidance.
Do we protect our children by avoiding sexuality and sex education?
Parents should give sex education to their children as this opens up communication with their children. Children become curious about sex as they grow up. Open and honest communication should be done early to children since it stopped children from trials of adolescence, such as depression and the use of drugs (Bailey, 2005). The strategy of communicating to children about sex instills family values to children. If parents do not teach their children about sex, they get to learn it from elsewhere, such as the media.
Sex education is much safer than the situation of no sex education. When children learn about sex from the media, they tend to engage in irresponsible sexual behavior at an early age. Talking to children about sex increases their chances of opening up to their parents when faced with difficulties in life (Wile, 2013). Many young people get contradicting information concerning sex and relationships from fallacious sources. They demand reliable information concerning this important aspect of their lives to prepare them for a secure, productive, and fruitful life.
Young people are, therefore, able to make informed choices concerning sexuality and relationships in a world full of hurdles such as gender inequality, unintended pregnancy, gender-based violence, HIV, and STDs. Lack of quality and comprehensive sexuality education exposes young people to have sexual behavior and non-consensual sexual exploitation (Bailey, 2005). The health of young people is also addressed in this sexuality and sex education through the application of the learner-centered approach. Sexuality is sent from a positive path where ethics such as inclusion, non-discrimination, empathy, respect, and responsibility are addressed. This changes the attitude towards reproductive health among young people.
Problems such as unintended pregnancies and STDs are controlled through gender-focused programs. Young people become empowered such that they approach sexuality and human rights values with an analytical approach (Wile, 2013). Young people can form respectful relationships, and they abstain from harmful practices such as sexual abuse, gender-based violence, and discrimination.
References
Bailey, K. (2005). Sex education. Greenhaven Press.
Wile, I. S. (2013). Sex education. The classics Us.