There are
many different methods for sexual education.
One of the most taught methods is Abstinence-only-until-marriage. Abstinence-only may be paired with teachings
about safe-sex which is called Abstinence-plus; this provides other options for
students. We will take a look into both
abstinence-only and abstinence-plus education to see what is being taught to
the students in this generation.
Abstinence
Education teaches students about more than just abstaining from sex. These programs teach students that they are
more than just their sexual identities.
Some of the things these programs teach students are that you have an
increased chances of accepting sexual advances if you use alcohol and drugs,
they also stress the importance of being self-sustaining before having sex or
engaging in sexual activities, they also teach you that abstinence is the only
way to be certain to prevent pregnancy, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
Finally they are teaching students that having sex outside of wedlock
can have dangerous effects on the mind and the body. Learning these things is essential to
students learning that not everyone is having sex as young adults.
Sexual
education programs are rapidly changing; this is why schools are adjusting
their programs to be abstinence-plus. It
is becoming more important to make sure that students know about
protection. Michigan’s standards include
making sure that students know which situations could result in gaining a Sexually
Transmitted Disease (STD) or a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). Michigan is also teaching their students
about the effects of alcohol and drugs on one’s decisions when it comes to
sex. Teaching students about birth
control, and options for safe sex is part of this program. It is needed to make sure that the next
generation knows that abstinence-only is just one option of many.
According
to the Journal of School Health, “In
fiscal year 2007, federal
funds to support abstinence-only-until-marriage programs
totaled $176 million and Texas received the most federal funding of $18,213,472
for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.”
This is a large chunk of the funding, and it is being focused on
abstinence-only. In fact it is 9.6% of
the federal funds allocated to the subject.
This is slightly troubling considering the way that the world is moving
away from such ideals.
While
abstinence-only education is still used in many schools, just about as many are
making the switch to abstinence-plus.
The curriculum may be decided by the state, but the teacher’s will
decide how to present those views to their students. The teacher can present abstinence-only in a
positive light, but then present safe-sex education in a negative light. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so, it
just depends on how the subject is taught to the students that will bring about
how they view their sex education.
Overall we
have learned that there are many methods to sex education. One of those methods is abstinence-only. Abstinence-only can be taught to students as
more than just saving one’s self for marriage, it can be taught as a way of
making yourself more self-sustained, and helping to make healthy and good
choices for both a person’s mind and body.
Abstinence-only is not the only option, but it is a choice many choose
to make.
Works Cited
"National
Sexuality Education Standards: Core Content and Skills, K-12. A Special Publication of the Journal of School
Health. Special Report." American
School Health Association (2012). Print.
"SOM - Curriculum & Planning." SOM. Web. 24
Apr. 2012. <http://www.michigan.gov/som/0,4669,7-192-29939_32383_32503---,00.html>.
Wilson, Kelly L.,
and David C. Wiley. "Influence of Materials on Teacher Adoption of Abstinence-Only- Until-Marriage
Programs." Journal of School Health 79.12 (2009): 565-74. Print.
-Augusta Schmidt
No comments:
Post a Comment