Question

Sex Education and Teenage Pregnancy

Santrock (2016) mentions in his text that the United States has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates of industrialized nations, despite the fact that adolescent sexual activity is no higher in the United States. Why is that? For starters, sex during adolescence is considered a "taboo" subject in our culture. Abstinence is also promoted and touted as the most safest, surefire way to avoid the consequences of early sexual activity. Additionally, we teach teens that sexual activity is an "adult activity" and do not acknowledge that during the adolescent period, when there is an upsurge of hormones and changes in the physiological landscape, teens grow curious about their bodies and that of the opposite sex. Teens are also at a stage in their life where experimentation and identify formation are at its "peak", and questioning, expressing, and exploring their sexual identity is part of that process.

How many people did you know in high school knew what sex was and even had sex? Probably the majority. That is because sexual curiosity during adolescence is part of healthy, typical human development.

What is sex education?

Briefly, sex education is about instilling accurate, scientific-based information and spreading awareness about the following:

1. The physiological changes that occur in the body due to pubertal/hormonal changes.

2. The risks and consequences involved in sexual activity such as contracting sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy.

3. It involves teaching youngsters how to set boundaries with others when it comes to their own body and other people's bodies (i.e."No means NO!").

4. Contraception options-how to be "sex smart" such as the benefits of using protection.

5. A discussion about knowing when they are "ready" to have sex.

6. Define rape and sexual assault and how to know if you are about to be a victim.

Put it in Perspective...

Answer the Following Discussion Questions:

1. What was your experience with 'sex education'? Did you take a class in school? Did you learn from your caregivers? Include points that you remember learning. And how has that served you as a teenager?

2. According to the film "Inside the Teenage Brain" and your textbook readings, what are some effective ways to approach a conversation with teenagers about 'safe sex'?

Answer 1

1. I cannot recall having received proper sex education at all. Neither have my parents nor did my school authorities ever conduct a session with me wherein all this information was conveyed. The closest thing to sexual education that I can recall is perhaps my biology lessons in class wherein we were taught about the primary ad secondary sexual characteristics of males and females in detail, along with how procreation takes place.

2. Sexual education should attempt to balance discussions about sex and relationships with a “sex positive” dialogue. This can be achieved through the following:

• Acknowledging young people will choose whether or not to be sexually active. This is a normal and healthy part of adolescence.

• Recognising that adolescence is a time of sexual development and potential experimentation.

• Referencing a variety of sexual preference(s) in a positive way throughout all conversations.

• Supporting the right of young people to develop healthy, respectful and consensual sexual relationships.