The Pros and Cons of Teaching Sex Education in Public Schools Essay

     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Picture a young couple being on the verge of exploring their sexual desires for the first time. The question is does this young couple have the proper education to make this life changing decision? They most likely were given their education from the school they attend. Hopefully the school taught them what they needed to know to make such a decision. Should sex education be taught at school by teachers or by the parents? Problems with having sex education at school There are many problems with having sex education in public schools. Religion plays an important part to the topic of sex education. Some parents feel that if the school gets to speak to their children about sex before they do, than important things about their religion will be left out of the discussion. If their religion says not to have premarital sex, then that child doesn't need to learn the proper way to put on a condom, where to go to get birth control pills, or anything about abortion. None of this information is going to be needed because the child of the family who uses religion as a guideline for everyday life. These children don't need their heads filled with what isn't important in their religion. According to the Web page SIECUS, parents are-and ought to be-the primary sexuality educators of their children. From the moment of birth, children learn about love, touch, and relationships. Infants and toddlers receive sexuality education through example when their parents ta lk to them, dress them, show affection, play with them, and teach them the names of the parts of their bodies ("Sexuality"). Another reason parents want to teach their children about sex education is that they feel it is up to them and no one else to teach their kids ... ...ks Cited Cooper, Carol. "What shall we tell the children?" The Lancet 356 (2008): 780. "Does Sex Education work?" AVERT 18 Nov. . Harris, Wendy. "Schools fail sex ed, new studies say Parents, students want more comprehensive; lessons even as scope of teaching has narrowed." Spokesman Review 27 Sep. 2007: A1. Jordan, Timothy R. "Rural parents' communication with their teen-agers about sexual issues." The Journal of School Health 70 (2008): 338-344 Schemo, Diana J. "Survey Finds Parents Favor More Detailed Sex Education." The New York Times 4 Oct. 2007: A.1 Sexuality Education is the Schools: Issues and Answers." SIECUS Report 27 (2007) Web. 19 Nov. 2008 http://www.siecus.org/pubs/fact/fact/0007.html. Ubell, E. "Sex-education programs that work-and some that don't." Parade Magazine 12 Feb. 2007: 18-20.