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'? and here is the example of answering the questions. and please answers the question like the way that my classmate answered and go to details and write down 2 paragraph in total like the way that muy classmate did. Thank you! Example: 1. In elementary school during the end of 4th grade is when I first got introduced to 'sex education'. It wasn't necessarily a real class but more of a discussion that lasted a couple days, no more than a week. I remember the boys were in one classroom getting taught about sex education as well with a male teacher and as for the girls, we were in a separate room getting taught about sex education with a female teacher. The same thing happened as we entered the 5th grade. I remember learning about the menstrual cycle for the first time and how to go about it. To be quite honest I don't remember much else from these discussions. What stuck most to my head was the topic of pubertal/hormonal changes. It served me well as a teenager because I was prepared for these changes to happen and knew exactly how to handle it. 2. An effective way to a approach a conversation with a teenager about 'safe sex' is first and foremost start the 'talk' early on. Also to approach the talk openly and in an non-judgemental way so they can feel confident about asking any questions regarding the topic. There must be a sense of trust.

Answer 1

Sex education is not something which is very openly talked about in Eastern countries. Even though they are more popular since mental health and psychological well-being of students is something which is quicky gaining momentum in schools, at that time bullying during puberty and issues surrounding sexuaity were more of a taboo and a overall hushed topic. Teachers too would tend to categorize girls or boys who were more friendly or involved with the opposite sex as 'distracted, whereas the physiological growth, the extending curiosity and formation of sexual identity were themes that were not catered to at the time. Therefore, what led to as result was that students ended up with half baked information from friends and other sources such as the web. Parents who catch their children watching sexual content at an earky stage, tend to blame and shame them due to which they face permanent damage, self esteem issues and issues with sexuality as well.Women for instance may face frigidity or men may under Erectile dysfunction or early ejaculation. What is essential theefore is that children and adolescents are treated as sexual beings right from the beginning and sexuality education is imparted from early on. This must include the physiological explanation of bodily chances, anatomy, sexuality and sexual experiences, safe sex practices and the issue of consent. Moreover all the questions and queries of the students must be addressed while normalising sexuality rather than making it a taboo or an 'undesirable' aspect of life.