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Though there are many variations and combinations of Sex-Ed programs, they can all be divided into two main approaches: the Comprehensive and the Abstinence-Only programs.
Without being aware of the name, I have always believed in the Comprehensive Sex-Ed but had encountered only the Abstinence-Only Sex-Ed in my children’s schools. Since the connection between the high rate of teen pregnancy in the U.S and abstinence-only sex-ed programs was very clear to me, I was pretty shocked to encounter this program at my children’s school.
It seemed, a the time, that I belonged to the minority in this matter, but while researching the subject, I was glad to find out that the reality was quite different than my first impression - what I had assumed to be the majority, turned out to be more of a vocal minority.
Surveys show that most of the parents, teachers, and students believe in getting more information on the over-all subject and that the abstinence-only programs are not effective. Surprising or not, an important fact is that there hasn’t been any federal funding for non- abstinence-only programs since 1996.
Whether we like it or not, millions of young teenagers who come of age each year, choose to engage in sexual activity, following their natural needs and urges. It is unrealistic to believe that abstinence-only or any other program for that matter will completely prevent them from it. Fear-based methods can only work for some but not for every one in an environment that is so full of sexual messages. Sexual activity should not be encouraged, but we can not and should not ignore the millions who do get involved in sexual activity. They need to be better educated and have the ability to judge, choose and protect themselves because the mistakes they make are very costly in many ways.
A good sexual education program should, in my opinion, provide the students with a very wide knowledge not only about the changes their bodies are about to experience, but also about the different and sometimes strange ways they will feel about so many more things. The program should help them find their way in this new jungle of changes and emotions and enable them to view this process as a natural stage in the course of their lives.
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