There are a lot of controversial subjects in America and one of the biggest issues is teaching sex education in public schools and contraceptives. Many have fought to keep it out of the schools curriculum or not bother having the birds and the bees talk with there kids. Why is it such a problem? Because there are religious and conservative ties to the family as well as not wanting to expose kids to "inappropriate" subject matter.
Even though its all for education, it is also for health risks and unwanted pregnancies. In America there were 2.5 times more recorded cases of chlamydia amongst women, according to the CDC. As well as unplanned pregnancies, which was at a 98% among teens fifteen and younger. The reason for this is because they didn't have the right resources or the right information.
All of these could be dramatically changed for the better with a great push towards public schools making it mandatory for kids to have a sex education class not only in high school but in middle school as well. Not only that but provide additional information about contraception along with teaching about abstinence.
One example of a great preventative measure is the FDA approved Plan B pill aka The Morning After pill. It is specifically made for preventing unwanted pregnancies and is available over the counter at any pharmacy. It clearly outlines the uses for it and does state that it should not be used regularly as birth control. Also that other reliable sources of contraception should be used.
This should be an important and top priority. Not only will a better education about sex help prevent unwanted pregnancies but will greater reduce the health risks that comes with sexually transmitted diseases all the while with reducing the spread of them.
In the latest article, http://governmentselfie.blogspot.com/, a student reaches out to students and faculty members at public schools all around the world. He/she discusses how some faculty members refuse to teach sex education due to their religious and conservative ties to the family as well as not wanting to expose kids to "inappropriate" subject matter. Is he/she right? Does this controversy exist? A logical appeal is used to give statistics of how this controversy leads to more than just the teaching of sex education in school, he/she provides us with current information on how this can lead to less abortions and maybe lower the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. This was a great issue to address because not many people are aware of this issue; therefore, they have no knowledge regarding the fact that it can lead to more pregnancies and STDs. While you provide us with many facts to support your claim that sex education should be taught in public schools, you lack in persuading your readers why you feel that way and why should we trust your opinion over others. This information shows that this author is trustworthy, but it can also hurt his/her credibility because it shows that this article is very one-sided. He/she only talks about the advantages of teaching sex education in public schools, while they may state a couple disadvantages: they don’t elaborate on them and that makes it hard for them to convince there reader. His/her argument is a strong one, with a lot of evidence to support his claim but it focuses more on the effects of not teaching sex education then it does the causes. I feel the author should’ve elaborated on what causes this issue because without knowing the cause, how can you determine the effects? But I agree with the author’s claim that teaching sex education in school can possibly lead to less unwanted pregnancies, as well as the prevention of STDs because it provides them with guidance and knowledge on an issue that there scared to discuss with their parents. Our children shouldn't be affected by such a petty issue because teachers refuse to teach such topic, instead they should be taught how to avoid small problems that can lead to life altering decisions. This author does a good job overall explaining how such controversy can change solve so many problems within the United States in such little time, only with the right guidance.
ReplyDeleteMs Toni's commentary Safety First revolves around the lack of "real life" sex ed in schools. I think that this is a very relevant topic given that most students remember the sex ed they received as the couple of weeks in Health class in which, mainly, students are taught that abstinence is an option. While some of the statements lack proper citation to a more credible source, I agree with the general idea that sex ed still needs to come a long way.
ReplyDeleteThe emphasis on abstinence is great, because it focuses on the furthest and most effective method of STD and pregnancy prevention, yet it is unrealistic. Defensive driving does not simply impose on you that the best way to avoid the effects of unsafe and irresponsible driving is to refrain from maneuvering a vehicle at all. In the same way, I agree that contraception needs to be taught more extensively in order for teens to grasp the ways of utilizing these tools.
A little more research to support and elaborate on these viewpoints would have been helpful in adding credibility to the commentary and possibly taking a firmer stance which implements steps or definite reasons to reform the current system in schools.