Essay about Abstinence-Only Based Curricula in Public...

The foundation of the abstinence-only policy was laid in 1981 under President Regan when the United States Congress passed the Adolescent Family Life Act (AFLA) administered by the Office of Adolescent Pregnancy Programs (OAPP) (Denny, 2006). The main purpose of this this proposal was to keep sexual relationships until marriage (Weaver, 2005). The AFLA became founded on the belief of funding and developing abstinence-only based curricula in public schools throughout the United States (Weaver, 2005). Federal funding for abstinence-only programs in public schools was provided by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PL 104-193), also known as the Welfare Reform Act of 1995 (Wiley, 2002). PL 104-193†¦show more content†¦If the topic has not been studied in the past, cite and discuss--by topic--how related studies were conducted. The role of educating students about the importance of healthy sexual relationships has fallen hard and fast on public schools. School aged boys and girls are not receiving information from their parents on what decisions they should make in regards to sex. Parents are finding this topic of conversation too taboo to breach and as a result, students are getting what little information they are receiving from school. Less then half of school aged adolescents talk to their parents about sex and abstinence (Smith, 2005). The philosophy behind abstinence-only policy implies that the greatest risk of informing students about their options for contraception would be that educators are condoning premarital sex. The risks that our students are already taking, however, are greater then policymakers are considering. It is generally accepted that the majority of sexual intercourse among young people remains unprotected (Westwood, 2006). Abstinence-only curriculum is not preventing adol escents from having sex; it is just making them naà ¯ve to the risks they are taking with their lifestyle choices. There is a continuing increase in the rates of sexually transmitted infections, particularly in people ages 15-25 (Westwood, 2006). Twelve million new cases ofShow MoreRelatedShould Sex Education Be Taught? Essay1360 Words   |  6 PagesAs a health science teacher, my educational philosophy is to provide my students with an inclusive, evidence-based approach in addressing sex education in my classroom. The state-mandated teaching standards promoting a biased, abstinence-only program, however, do little to communicate reliable and inclusive information about sexuality. Texas provisions and education codes relating to sex education should sustain amendments that fully address the sexual health needs of every student, regardless ofRead MoreShould Sex Education Be A Part Of The Necessary Curriculum?1321 Words   |  6 Pagesthat is frequently discussed. Issues with parents communicating to their children the risks can lead to teenagers seeking out a third party for information. If sc hools are permitted to teach sex education, they can provide standardized, credible and factual answers to students. Comprehensive sex education varies from the typical abstinence-only education. According to the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS), â€Å"[c]omprehensive sex education includes age-appropriateRead MoreSex Education And The Early 19th Century1204 Words   |  5 Pagesactivity, sexual reproduction, age of consent, reproductive health, reproductive rights, safe sex, birth control, and abstinence. Sex education that covers all of these aspects is known as comprehensive sex education as opposed to the abstinence only education that only promotes abstinence. Common avenues for sex education are parents or caregivers, formal school programs, and public health campaigns. 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But many students and parent’s surprise, there will be an extra class included in the curricula: Sex Education. In most public schools, there is some form of teaching of sex education. However, there is an even bigger question that is arising. â€Å"What kind of sex education are our children getting and is it enough to helpRead MoreThe Adolescent Family Life Act ( Afla ) Essay2098 Words   |  9 Pagescame the Title V abstinence-only-until-marriage program, which was created in 1996 as part of the welfare reform legislation. Finally, the Community-Based Abstinence Education (CBAE), was created in 2000. Now, for over three decades, people are still debating whether the original approach of teaching abstinence should be kept or if schools should go into further detail in teaching how to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases and infections. I believe that all schools should teach anRead MoreAbstinence Only Sexual Education Vs. Inclusive Sex Education Essay2399 Words   |  10 PagesAbstinence-Only Sexual Education vs. Inclusive Sexual Education In 1981, the Adolescent Family Life Act (AFLA) was signed into law by President Reagan. Through the act, the federal government first invested in sexual education programs, all of which encouraged â€Å"chastity and self-discipline.† After this came the Title V abstinence-only-until-marriage program, which was created in 1996 as part of the welfare reform legislation. Finally, the Community-Based Abstinence Education (CBAE), was created inRead MoreThe Case For Rights Education1665 Words   |  7 Pagescom/entry/the-case-for-rights-education-alongside-sex-education_us_578d282de4b0d4229484d76d. Accessed 21 Nov. 2016. In â€Å"The Case for Rights Education Alongside Sex Education†, Seth Abramson states that the reason sex education is present in the majority of all American schools is because sex matters. He makes an in-depth point about knowing how to handle oneself during sexual or assault encounters. Abramson supports his point of ‘’sex matters’’ by outlining that lack of age appropriate sexual education has proven to causeRead MoreThe Debate For Comprehensive Sex Education1212 Words   |  5 Pagesthere is wide spread support for abstinence-only education. A majority of states require that abstinence-only education be the only form of sexual health education provided, or requires that abstinence be stressed above other forms of sexual education. These highly stressed abstinence-only programs are under fire as research comes out against the efficiency of these programs, and as new forms of sexual health education appear. These new programs teach that abstine nce is the best method for avoidingRead MoreSexual education programmes within school based learning have long been cause for controversy,1600 Words   |  7 PagesSexual education programmes within school based learning have long been cause for controversy, particularly in reference to which approach should be taken, what topics should be raised and at what age children should be begin to learn about sexual development and sexuality. Previously, sex education has focused on the biological development of humans however in recent years programs have shifted towards integration of sexuality and sexual health promotion in response to sexual development within