Sex Education

When sex education began to be taught in the late 70s, there was uproar in many parts of the country as people panicked that the moral values would be overturned. Sex education is one reason why many religious people home school their kids, since they want to avoid having their children learn immodest things in the classroom. Advocates of traditional sex education argue that many children engage in sexual activity anyway, and it is best to inform them so they make the right choices. However, many families feel that sex education encourages behavior that is contrary to religious values.

However, sex education does not need to be an enticement to engage in certain behaviors. Most communities have a certain standard and belief system espoused by at least the majority. Many areas are more lenient concerning these issues and may prefer a sex education course which will give kids information they might go hunting for from undesirable sources. More “straight-laced” communities may prefer a sex education course that focuses on abstinence, the dangers of sexual activity outside of the context of marriage, and the ruinous effects of AIDS and venereal diseases. Sex education can also be directed to focus on modesty, self-esteem, resisting peer pressure and saying no to sex as well as drugs. Sex education is only problematic if you are viewing it as someone else’s sex education; every community can gear sex education to fit their values.

One advantage of having some form of sex education, which can be agreed upon by both liberals and conservatives, is that such classes can educate children on how to protect themselves from the epidemic of sexual abuse, which unfortunately is all too prevalent in our schools, communities, and homes. The internet has provided new opportunities for information as well as dangers and safe havens for child predators. Sex education can be used to raise awareness among children about what constitutes sexual abuse and what to do if someone is making advances.