Sex is an ambiguous topic, yet it seems most people and systems who talk about it go at it as if there is a right answer and wrong answer. It seems sex is a non-mentionable topic, being treated as something one only talks about if they are already have sex pre-maritally, so the logical thing to do is to not talk about sex, even if it is a big part of your life. This non-mentioned sex between two people is how most teenage pregnancies started, as with one of the girls on !6 and Pregnant (forgot her name) mentioned her parents never had "the talk" with her. Also, it seems like in the beginning of several episodes when the pregnant girl is talking to her family and friends, most of them seem shocked to here she was having sex more than she was pregnant. But that is what we expect. We expect two teenagers having unprotected sex will get pregnant, but no one seems to talk about this. It is just intuitive knowledge, one doesn't need to teach these young girls and young guys how unprotected sex leads to pregnancy and how "a sexually active teen who does not use a contraceptive has a 90% chance of becoming pregnant within a year." Do you think teenagers would listen to this more than the traditional argument of "abstinence is always the answer" and other arguments of how one should not have sex, not what one needs and should do if they are having sex? Just because people talk about sex with teenagers, it doesn't mean they're going to run out and grab a boy because you made it sound so fun. Teens need to have a sex education to actually educate them on sex and pregnancies and STIs instead of "educationally" persuade them that sex is wrong--which doesn't really happen.
High schools need to have a sex education program or at least handout condoms. In 2006, only 5% of American high schools made condoms available to students. I went to high school in Omaha, NE and I know sex education was nothing more than 8th grade health class, in which I remember STD education, but not really sex education. Sex wasn't really mentioned by anyone, it was either you're having sex or your not, either way it's best not to share. I find it ridiculous that 3 high schools in Omaha--everyone knew all the high schools and the "stereotypes" of the people who go there--don't give out condoms or have sex education programs, but yet they have a built in daycare for teenage student moms and it can be taken as a credit for other students to be nursery teachers. Yes, having a daycare for these teenage moms to give them a chance to finish high school is a great thing, but if these three high schools have daycares it is because they were having too many teenage pregnancy dropouts. You would think that a high school with a daycare would be more opened about pregnancies and sex education but they aren't. It seems to be less of a shock of the teenagers to say they are pregnant--almost expected at some of these high schools--but even in a school where sex seems to be more of an issue, sex education is not a built in class, but teaching fellow teenage student mom's baby is. But why can't they both be available? To me, giving out condoms to help prevent pregnancy and having a built in daycare to prevent teenage mother dropouts should be seen as an equal need.
Kristen Toner
Go Tigers!!!
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Our society generally tends to contradict itself in the ideals and expectations we promote about sex education and sex itself.
ReplyDeleteI'm a firm advocate for knowledge as power, and I hate few things as much as the argument that educating teens about the realities of sex (and enlightening them in terms of their awareness and options) is the enemy--that this power will be used for evil and that worse decisions will be made on their parts because they've been properly versed. What the fuck. No.
Maybe my view of this topic is skewed because I'm constantly surrounded by the conversation in classes like this one, but it seems that we're making at least minimal progress in terms of not lying to ourselves and being realistic about sexuality among teens, and people in general. We may not all be on the same page, but we are talking about it. I'd just encourage people to open their minds and consider the convoluted arguments they're presented with on issues like this before they mindlessly perpetuate them.
-Maddie Byrne
I agree. I also think society contradicts itself, especially over sex topics. I think the knowledge over the topic is very important to young adults. Based on the statistics most parents do not inform their own children about sex, so I really think someone should. School is the perfect opportunity. I was taught in grade school, I am not even sure they had a class like that in my high school. Basically I think the more teens who know about sex and fully comprehend the consequences would make smarter decisions.
ReplyDeleteAs for sex being talked about, I think it is only not talked about with different generations. I feel like each generation talks about sex normally if not excessively, just not with each other. Parents do not want to talk to their children about their sex life or vice versa. These days it is pretty much assumed that everyone you have met (within an appropriate age) has had sex. If anything I think sex should be talked about more between the parents and other elders. People are going to learn and listen more to people they trust like parents, rather than their teachers.
-Danielle Brown
Kristen, I agree with a lot of your statements. Today, the sex education in America is lacking tremendously in the fact that not enough is being done early on. Like you, I only remember a sex education course in 8th grade as well. What schools have to start doing is realizing that teenagers are having sex earlier on in their lives and that they need to be aware of the consequences that come along with having it unprotected. Condoms and contraceptives are vital in preventing teenage pregnancy. However, a lot of teens don't take it as serious. According to The Washington post, "That little bit of latex has the power to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDS) and to prevent transmission of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer." (Washington Post, 2008) According to my physician, Julie Parve, "80% of women receive the HPV virus before the age of 30" (West Bend Clinic, Parve). In my opinion, this number is outrageous. The thing I don't understand is a lot of my friends who are on "the pill" still don't use condoms with their partners. To me, this is irresponsible because although their chances of becoming pregnant might be less, their chances of receiving an STD are much greater. Like you said Kristen, high schools need to start handing out condoms. Although people might think this would "promote" sex in my mind its the safest way to encourage protection. Parents don't like to believe their child is sexually active but they most likely are when they don't think so. I know Mizzou's Student Health Center provides condoms for free but my high school back home in Chicago didn't even have condoms. As far as daycare programs in high schools shows that their education system is not doing its job to educate enough. I think having daycares in high schools is a horrible indication that the people that attend those schools are not educated. This is a horrible idea. The fact of the matter is, abstinence in todays society is not really the norm. More and more teenagers are having sex early on. That's why shows like "Teen Mom" are not surprising. Finally, I think parents need to educate their sons and daughters too. Unlike some of my friends, I was never given "the sex talk". I learned everything I needed to know from my close friends. America needs to start informing teenagers early on so STD's and pregnancies can be prevented.
ReplyDelete-Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Let's beat those Sooners!
Olivia Arns