The issue of sex education has always been a generational taboo in different parts of the world. Even though there is always a big difference between providing information to the teenagers regarding human sexuality and propagating adultery as well as infidelity, breaking the barrier and discussing this natural developmental procedure with adolescents is a tough task for many parents.
Lack of sex education is worsening the situation
In the United States, especially in the New York City, many public high schools have already started offering sex education to young boys and girls along with condom availability programs. It has resulted into serious controversies as a large chunk of parents are worrying that these would encourage teenage sex instead of stopping it.
However, it has been seen that the trend of having sex at younger ages has been going up surprisingly these days as teenagers do not have proper knowledge and information regarding their bodies as well as gender roles. It is making them exposed to untimely pregnancies and severe sexual diseases.
According to a recent study conducted by the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development, almost 29 percent boys and 17 percent girls in America have sex at an age between 10 years and 16 years. As a result, the cases of birth to teenagers have increased more or less 45% across the nation, while diseases like gonorrhea have gone up to 4 times the last decade’s estimate.
More public high schools should come ahead
With the rising crisis throughout the country, the importance of sex education is also escalating. Despite continuing controversies, high schools should come ahead with educational programs, campaigns and various other initiatives to keep young people away from untimely as well as unprotected sexual intercourse.
There is a disbelief regarding these efforts that these go against the way parents teach and guide their adolescents through ‘moral judgments’ and ‘spiritual values’. However, the truth is that sex education programs are not at all related to these factors and parents do not lose their rights to educate their teens with these.
It is always good for students to receive sex education at high school level as it allows them to know about each and every fact related to human sexuality more clearly. They are helped by trained and knowledgeable educators who are willing to counsel them as and when required, which eventually directs them in the right path.
In a nutshell, it is a ‘dual responsibility’ of both teachers and parents to encourage sexual abstinence among young boys and girls through proper sex education.
