Sex Education and HIV/AIDS Prevention
The benefit of sex education is something we all know is important. However, many of us still haven’t found the way to find the best way to get our kids this education. In fact, some of us have been embarrassed by our lack of education on this issue. However, the good news is that we can change that. All we need is a little motivation and some innovative thinking on our part.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association show support for the benefit of comprehensive, quality sex education. They found that sex education has the ability to do so much more than make your children more informed about their body and sexuality. The effect of quality sex education extends well beyond birth control and STI and could dramatically enhance school achievement, psychological health, academic performance, and overall safety within schools.
Not surprisingly, the study was supported by the Guttmacher Institute and the National Association of School Nurses. This study looked at the United States, as well as the United Kingdom and Australia. The results were stunning. Not only were the teen pregnancy rates down, but the rates for unwanted births were also down. In fact, the rate of teenage pregnancy was over half.
This is good news. Unplanned pregnancies are not only emotionally devastating, but they can lead to higher costs for health care and an increase in crime. On the other hand, a better sex education could prevent some of these unwarranted pregnancies. More importantly, researchers believe this improved sex education will help prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
If you’re still not convinced, let’s consider another aspect of this research published in the same journal. Researchers looked at the effects of abstinence on the prevalence of HPV, or human papillomavirus. Abstinence did, in fact, reduce the HPV prevalence. So, if more people are choosing to abstain from sex, then why is there so much concern about misinformation and incorrect information?
The problem is the sexual orientation laws that are in place. Sexual orientation cannot be changed. It’s either accept or reject. And, in most areas, choose to remain “gay” or remain “lesbian.” The result is a confusion over what can be called sex education, which is actually incorrect.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “informed decisions regarding sexual health and reproductive health should take into account the sexual orientation of the students’ parents, their religious beliefs, and the school’s policies.” However, when these facts are brought into the discussion during sex education, the lesson is lost. Sexual orientation and abstinence are still mentioned, even though they are already proven fact. And, when the abstinence part comes up, the consequences are disastrous. Many teens become pregnant and many others experience sexually transmitted diseases.
What can be done? If a parent wants their child to remain “straight,” encourage them in the positive aspects of abstinence and provide them with condoms and other tools to protect themselves and others. Teach your child to respect their body and their sexual activity. Encourage your teen to remain sexually active until they are ready for real sex. Provide them with the tools to be a role model in the way they have sexual intercourse. With the correct information and support, you can learn to have confidence in your own sexuality and the power you have over whether or not you have premarital or oral sex.
When it comes to abstinence, it is hard to find information on comprehensive sex ed curricula that actually provides help. Many programs and courses offer information and counseling, but the message always goes back to abstinence. This can be maddening for some families who are trying to teach their kids’ self-respect and self-esteem. The need for a program that provides help in preventing pregnancy and STDs is also needed. Programs should offer information on how to get tested for diseases like chlamydia and gonorrhea. They should also provide information and tools on how to protect yourself from becoming infected in the first place.
Although the discussion about birth rates has shifted towards teenage pregnancy, we still have a long way to go when it comes to protecting teens. Rates are still high among black and Hispanic girls and rates are even higher for some Asian American girls. Some medical professionals believe that low birth rates may be partially because of the fact that Asian Americans are so healthy and their cultures encourage regular prenatal checkups and use of birth control methods. Programs that teach kids at young ages how to protect themselves and how to deal with STDs could significantly lower the teen pregnancy rate.
Overall, the conversation around sex education and HIV/AIDS prevention has shifted dramatically in recent years. Several states, such as California, have taken steps to reduce the number of HIV/AIDS programs and educating people about safer sex. But, the conversation around sex education and HIV/AIDS prevention is only just beginning. The next frontier for the movement to reduce the numbers will come from adults. Adults need to be more aware of stds and learn more about HIV/AIDS and how to prevent transmission between partners.
