Is sex education effective?

Question

I'm in a debate team, I need some points, both the government and the opposition.

Answer 1

‘Abstinence-Only Until Marriage’ sexuality education has received over one billion dollars of federal funding and is the only form of sexuality education allotted by the No Child Left Behind Act. Yet, it has not been proven to be effective in preventing teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or a reduction in the number of sexual partners. Despite the efforts to encourage adolescents to remain abstinent until marriage, 34% of teenage girls will get pregnant before the age of 20, with 57% of them carrying the child to term, costing the government at least $7 billion dollars in public assistance, entitlement programs, and involvement with the criminal justice system . There are no empirical studies to show that these programs work, and 88% of participants who vow to remain abstinent will engage in premarital sexual relations and are more likely to engage in oral and anal sexual activities than their non-vowing counterparts. This is not a popular bill as only 36% of Americans believe it is an effective method of reducing teenage pregnancy . Because these programs do not teach about contraception, participants are much more likely to have an unplanned pregnancy, have higher rates of STIs, and are more likely to infect others than those in comprehensive programs. This program has contributed to the United States having the highest rates of teenage pregnancy and abortion in the industrialized world .

Many conservatives, religious officials, and policy makers feel that implementing this program would encourage students to engage in sexual relations earlier and with more partners than if they remained abstinent. They feel that by promoting contraceptive use, especially among middle school aged children, schools are promoting promiscuity that will emotionally, morally, and economically harm students, as well as increase their risk of contracting a STI or becoming pregnant . Although this is not the case, it is a widespread belief and there needs to be more empirical research to prove that ‘Abstinence-Only Until Marriage’ programs are not effective and education about contraception use does not cause students to recklessly engage in sexual activity.

Answer 2

Yes. Compare knowledge of educated students to that of students (females in particular) during the 1920's. Women had no idea what orgams were and some didn't know how people became pregnant! Compare knowledge of industrialized nations to some backward nations like in Africa. (Many don't know anything about birth control or AIDS prevention.)

I don't know how you want the government part answered.

Opposition? Easy, set up a criteria and show that education doesn't meet it. Choose anything (aids epidemic, teen pregnancy) and show that the education doesn't meet the standards. Ensure the standards are too high for education alone to meet.

Answer 3

India really doesnt have any and there are several problems with them really not knowing anything about the subject...see some of the crazy questions people ask in the Men's Health section.....sex ed, the way most schools do it, really hasnt been that effective because it is still taboo. Overall though, the more educated someone is, the less likely they are to contract and STD(I) or become pregnant. Should be stats about it...

Answer 4

Yes, with the rise of STDs and the HIV/AIDS epedemic it's nessacary, overly preachy things about abstenise still leave kids with questions and for the ones who don't wait for marriage, they need information as well. Not to mention, waiting or not, it encourages people to get tested. It still may be an uncomfortable subject for some people, but as we start to lean away from strict religious practices, our kids need to know what can happen in the real world and how to deal with it responsibly.

Answer 5

I gather we are only just encouraging the kidz to do it. True judging by the high levels of abortion and teenage pregnancy right now, looks like we are just encouraging them kidz to do id, albeit under the pretext of safe sex.
In terms of STI's it's been effective though.
But effectiveness depends on what exactly the kids are taught in those lessons and what they are shown, it is also a function of the character of the pupils themselves

Answer 6

Abstinence-in reality training is an finished failure. the perfect issue to do is to coach all of it - practice the youngsters that abstinence is the in reality one hundred% efficient thanks to stay away from being pregnant and ailment, because it truly is genuine. yet you even could coach them to guard themselves in the journey that they are going to have sex. A $0.seventy 5 condom is far more good value and a lot less of a burden than a toddler no man or woman is mentally or financially prepared to protect.

Answer 7

I don't think it really matters. I think it all depends on the person. I didn't take sex ed when I was in school and I didn't sleep around while growing up and knew to use protection, etc. It all depends on what kind of morals you have for yourself and how well you stick to them.

Answer 8

Yes it is, if you teach someone about STD's and pregnancy they are more likely to wear a condom if they choose to have sex. I'm saying that young teens should be taught to use a condom so they can have sex, I'm just saying that teach students about contraceptives is better than just teaching about abstinence.

Answer 9

Look at some of the questions in the 'Health' category on here. Apparently kids aren't learning anything in school or from their parents.

Answer 10

Until they stop preaching abstinence and start teaching effective birth control methods, sex ed is useless.