Sex Education done the Right Way

When it comes to developing and implementing a sexual education curriculum for minor children, that sort of thing has to be done in a particular and delicate way. However, it is something that can and should be done. Indeed, it is important for children of all ages to know what they need to know before they learn on their own or from the wrong sources. Either one of those can lead to important things being missed and very big mistakes being made. Rather than allow for an information void to lead to a unplanned pregnancy or the contraction of a sexually transmitted disease, it is obviously preferable to inform the children what is important so that they are armed with the information when the time comes rather than after the fact.
Analysis
There are a few important dimensions and facets of a sexual education program that must be defined and mapped out. First of all, one of the common questions would be whether to separate the classrooms by gender. That is a loaded question, in and of itself, because there is a perceived different among many people when it comes go sex and gender. Sex, of course, is what is commonly used as the term when it comes to the biological gender of a person. By contrast, the common knowledge of many is that gender is what is perceived and felt in the mind. A celebrity example of this distinction would be Caitlyn Jenner, born Bruce Jenner. From a biological standpoint, Bruce Jenner was most certainly born a man. However, he (now she) felt that she was a woman from a gender standpoint and now identifies as such (Advocates for Youth, 2017).
For that reason and a few others, the class should have everyone rather than trying to separate based on gender and/or sex. This is mainly because the students involved should be mature and composed when it comes to the matter. The main things to include, of course, would be what can be used and employed as a means to prevent pregnancy or the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. There would also be a discussion of the sex organs and how they work. For example, the monthly period of a young woman would be one thing that is talked about. Pleasure, while not something that need be dwelled on, should be mentioned in passing because it would be foolish to act like it is not part of the equation between sex partners of any age. One thing that would be implored, however, are the consequences of not following the advice and counsel that is being extended. This would include the effects that can be had when contracting a sexually transmitted disease or becoming pregnant. It would be implored that the measures that have been developed are there for a reason. It would also be explained that abstinence, while not popular and desirable to many, is always effective.
The line that cannot be crossed is making it religious or about morality. It should just be a statement of fact that abstinence is always effective but that the children should use condoms and/or birth control (among other things) if they are having sex. This stance is important because, regardless, children having sex with no protection is almost certainly going to have bad consequences at some point and those outcomes can be avoided. That is the basic philosophy of the author of this response. Again, it should not be about politics, religion or anything else like that…just facts. Children and teens should just be made to know what the facts are. Morality, religion and so forth would be the purview of their parents, family and, if applicable, their church (Advocates for Youth, 2017).
Conclusion
There are other things that could or should be mentioned when it comes to sexual education. One of the common threads and angles would be culture. Whether it is race, ethnicity or other such things, these things cannot and should not be ignored. At the same time, the basic facts and “need to knows” should not be deviated from in any way. It is proven that being a little explicit and specific is important and does not increase the rates of early childbirth or spread of STD’s.




















References
Advocates for Youth. (2017). Effective Sex Education. Advocatesforyouth.org. Retrieved 22
August 2017, from http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/component/content/article/450-
effective-sex-education