Sex Education Essays (1240 words) - Prevention Of HIVAIDS

Sex Education Kali Thompson Audience Analysis: I am writing to the seven chairmen of the Manatee County School Board. They are a made up of a group of five men and two women. They are most likely all parents who have a common concern on the material being taught on the issue of Sex Education in schools. Fellow parents vote on them to insure that they make the correct decisions on what their kids are learning in school. They are all from some form of the Christian religion. They are from ages 30 and older. They represent all races. They all have a college degree and the majority of them have doctorate degree in education. They are mainly from the upper economic levels in society. The chairmen are very dedicated to their jobs and take a great deal of consideration when voting on school board codes/regulations. Therefore, they are willing to hear both sides of an issue that is to be voted on due to its importance. Sex Education In Schools: The Argument Continues Sex education in schools has been a long debated subject among parents, teachers, government officials and students. The need for sex education has increased due the higher numbers of teen pregnancy and STD cases among school age kids. The pregnancy rate has more than double and teens have the highest rate of STD cases among all of the age groups (DeCarlo 1). The major questions are the type of material that should be discussed and whether the programs are actually helping the problem or adding to it. There are a lot of other questions that branch off from the major ones also. Since sex education has already been around for decades, it is very necessary for us to determine the effects of the educational programs over the years. This will help us to verify the quality of lessons being taught in the classes. The need for sex education is very questionable in todays society. An article by Pamela DeCarlo, from the Centre for AIDS Prevention Studies, discusses why sex education is needed in schools. She asks why education on this subject is needed and if will help or hurt todays children. Her view of the issue is that kids do need to have education to help to protect them but that it isnt enough to prevent them from receiving STDs and becoming pregnant. Knowledge alone is not enough to change behaviors. DeCarlo also says that, Programs that rely mainly on conveying information about sex or moral precepts-how the bodys sexual system functions, what teens should and shouldnt do-have failed. However, programs that focus on helping teenagers to change their behavior-using role playing, games, and exercises that strengthen social skills-have shown signs of success. On the other hand some believe that sex education is necessary but that it should be taught using only terms and definitions (Hedgep eth 1). Some fear that it means teaching them how to have sex if it is not taught using on vocabulary (Hedgepeth 7). I think that because of the importance of sex education people are more likely to stress over the issues about it. Parents want to be sure that what is being taught is appropriate and meaningful to the students. That brings me to the next major question asked about sex education: what type of material should be covered and who decides what is right and what is wrong. It is very obvious that 30 or even 40 years ago, there was a different opinion on what should be taught to the children of that age and of generations to come (Pruit, Song 1). With the ever changing statistics in teen pregnancy and higher rates of STDs among children, the topic is brought up that more should be taught on prevention rather than on what is right or wrong, more or less the values being taught. The most crucial part of sex education is good and effective communication. We all know that when it comes to talking about sex education teachers and students become very anxious and embarrassed (Whitehead 13). In todays schools some of the subjects discussed are reproduction, abuse, gender identity, anatomy, relationship skills, building social skills, STDs, teen pregnancy, prevention and