Condom Distribution Vs. Abstinence In Schools Essays -

Condom Distribution Vs. Abstinence In Schools CONDOM DISTRIBUTION VS. ABSTINENCE IN SCHOOLS Sexual Education was introduced to the American Public School System in 1913, at the beginning of this century. Superintendent of Schools, Ella Flagg Young promoted the teaching of sex education, and implemented sex hygiene lectures in the Chicago, IL, school system. The goal then was to reduce social problems such as venereal disease and prostitution by educating the public about sex. Now, in the last year of the 20th century, goals are different, but the conflicting opinions on sexual education are still going strong. Health promotion goals for teenagers include postponement of sexual activity until psychosocial maturity and consistent use of condoms by those who do engage in sexual intercourse. Most people agree with these goals to a certain degree. However the tension arises when methods of meeting these goals are discussed. The following report explains some of the biggest issues dwelling around how public schools should teach sexual education. The two main options discussed are teaching abstinence, and condom distribution. Throughout the United States, school districts and states are basing their policies around these two ideas. The importance of this issue is very significant. Over the last century, our statistics for teen health and sexuality problems have been getting worse and worse, and this is the time for change. The decisions that we make now will decide if we: 1. educate and inspire our youth and the sexual health status of our youth improves for generations to come, 2. overexpose the youth, and they get out of control, or 3. suppress the youth, denying them knowledge and resources, and our situation continually worsens for generations to come. IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM Our youth today face horrible odds in the area of health, and almost everyone, regardless of political positions, or religious standing, agrees that the problem needs to be addressed. The average age for initiation of sexual intercourse is now middle to late adolescence. As of 1992, 54% of all U.S. high school students were coitally experienced, and since then the rate has risen steadily. Unfortunately, studies also show that the majority of these kids do not use condoms consistently. The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate of any developed nation, and worldwide, more than one million teenagers become pregnant each year. Approximately 3 million 13 to 19 year olds are infected with STD's, not including HIV/AIDS. This disease infects 10,000 13 to 21 year olds yearly. The dreadful statistics just go on and on. Many people have been working to find a solution, through schools, that will help reduce these problems. However, an agreement has not been found. It is yet to be decided whether we should be teaching abstinence, or teaching more about contraception, and making easier ways for students to get it. ABSTINENCE Many organizations and individuals feel that teaching abstinence is the best way to improve teen health problems. It is thought that if we can teach the youth to abstain from sexual activity until marriage, or until psychosocial maturity, then many of the problems can be greatly reduced. Abstinence is clinically proven to be the only 100% affective way to prevent pregnancy, avoid STDs, and avoid HIV/AIDS. It is also widely believed that abstinence is the only way to prevent the emotional, social and mental damage that can be cause by pre-marital or pre-psychosocially mature sex. However, it is also strongly believed that teaching abstinence promotes naive thinking pertaining to sex. It neglects the necessary teaching of birth control and contraceptive methods. It is argued that only teaching abstinence cheats youth out of knowledge they deserve to have, since they are physically capable of intercourse, and many of them do choose to be sexually involved. Abstinence methods are usually ineffective to students who are already sexually active. We know that teens are doing this, so how can we not teach them how to do it safely? Teaching abstinence seriously offends some parents, and their students. One school that implemented an abstinence only curriculum had major objections by members of the community. As a matter of fact, one mother withdrew her student from the school, and found the child education at another facility. She then threatened to take court