Comprehensive Sex Education for Children’s Safety

The issue about comprehensive sex education has always been an important and pressing subject of debate all around the world. For quite some time, countries have been haunted by the controversies regarding whether parents should allow their children to be educated about the birds and the bees at an early age. Many parents of course would not want to see and hear their little children talk about condoms, pre-marital sex, pregnancy, and all others.

Have you ever wondered why some parents are being very protective of their children? They teach kids proper way of washing of hands during season of flu. They teach kids how to wear the safety seat belt in cars. They teach kids basic self-defense and not to talk to suspicious strangers. The common denominator: parents want to ensure safety of their kids. But what about sexual safety?

Sexual health is one thing most parents would not want to teach their kids. In the Republican view of life, children should grow up to learn about these subjects on their own. But time and again, history has it that many children and teens end up having premarital sex and unwanted pregnancy because of ignorance when it comes to sexual issues. Worse, many children and teens are also afflicted by sexual diseases, simply because they have been unaware of safety nets and activities.

Many students are now complaining about not receiving and attaining basic knowledge about sexual health. Even in the liberated country of the United States, many students are blaming lack of adequate sexual education for their sexual misadventures. Many high school students in public schools in New York City have not even heard of about penetration in their biology classes. The result: many of them are misled and are taken to risks due to unprotected sex. Many students also hold misconceptions and false beliefs like Coke douching could prevent pregnancy.

Results of a 1999 representative survey in the US found that most teachers in 7th to 12th grades believe sex education need to be tackled in school. Majority of them (93.4%) think sex education courses should always cover topics about birth control methods. About 89% believe topics about abortion should also be discussed, while 88% said there is a need to teach teens how to properly use condoms.

The same research noted that those teachers understand the real value and necessity for keeping and maintaining the safety of children. In the US, median age for teenagers to engage in any form of sexual activity is 17. In turn, median age for marrying is 25 for women and 27 for men. The educators also believe that abstinence prior to marriages is not realistic and is not in any way reflecting the American culture.

Thus, many educators and parents argue that schools should take strategies to integrate sexual education into curriculums. Children deserve to remain healthy and safe from any form of sexual danger or disease. Comprehensive sex education is undoubtedly integral to keep and reach this goal. Experts assert that sex and health classes should always respect differences in culture and religious beliefs. Health and safety should always be on top of priorities. Thus, there is a need to teach children about sex, STDs, contraception, and other sexual issues even at their tender age.