Difference between revisions of "Sex education"
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| − | '''Sex Education''' is classroom instruction on [[human reproduction]] and [[sexuality]]. It is | + | '''Sex Education''' is classroom instruction on [[human reproduction]] and [[sexuality]]. It is typically taught by both public and private schools, with parents usually given the option of withdrawing their children if they feel the content to be inappropriate or have personal or religious objections. |
| − | The appropriate content for sex education is a subject of political dispute within the United States, and other countries. The greatest division is between the comprehensive and | + | The appropriate content for sex education is a subject of political dispute within the United States, and within other countries. The greatest division is between the comprehensive and abstinence-only schools of thought. Proponents of comprehensive sex education believe that instruction should include education on methods of contraception, as a means to prevent the twin threats of pregnancy and the transmission of sexually-transmitted infections. Proponents of abstinence education maintain that instructing unmarried teenagers on contraception is implicitly endorsing sexual activity outside of marriage, and so sex education should omit contraception and instead concentrate on helping teenagers to avoid pressure towards pre-marital sexual activity, and to wait until they are in a monogamous, married relationship to begin sexual activity. |
| − | In general, comprehensive education is favored by [[liberal|liberals]] while | + | In general, comprehensive education is favored by [[liberal|liberals]] while abstinence-only education is favored by [[conservative|conservatives]]. |
==Abstinence Only== | ==Abstinence Only== | ||
| − | Federal funding for abstinence only education across the country has increased during the decade, but still does not equal the amount of money the government gives to | + | Federal funding for abstinence only education across the country has increased during the decade, but still does not equal the amount of money the government gives to [[Planned Parenthood]], a single organization, each year.<ref>http://www.latimes.com/news/education/la-na-abstinence24apr24,1,5905418.story</ref><ref>http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/mmalkin/2008/mm_06041.shtml</ref> |
== Sex Education in England == | == Sex Education in England == | ||
Revision as of 17:30, October 22, 2008
Sex Education is classroom instruction on human reproduction and sexuality. It is typically taught by both public and private schools, with parents usually given the option of withdrawing their children if they feel the content to be inappropriate or have personal or religious objections.
The appropriate content for sex education is a subject of political dispute within the United States, and within other countries. The greatest division is between the comprehensive and abstinence-only schools of thought. Proponents of comprehensive sex education believe that instruction should include education on methods of contraception, as a means to prevent the twin threats of pregnancy and the transmission of sexually-transmitted infections. Proponents of abstinence education maintain that instructing unmarried teenagers on contraception is implicitly endorsing sexual activity outside of marriage, and so sex education should omit contraception and instead concentrate on helping teenagers to avoid pressure towards pre-marital sexual activity, and to wait until they are in a monogamous, married relationship to begin sexual activity.
In general, comprehensive education is favored by liberals while abstinence-only education is favored by conservatives.
Abstinence Only
Federal funding for abstinence only education across the country has increased during the decade, but still does not equal the amount of money the government gives to Planned Parenthood, a single organization, each year.[1][2]
Sex Education in England
In England the National Curriculum [1] requires all schools to offer comprehensive sex education as part of Personal, Social and Health Education, from junior school on, but parents may choose to not have their children attend sex education classes.