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Muriel Lange

English 1102/MW
11 July 2015
Should Sex Education Be Taught As Early As Middle School?
Sex is an extremely relevant topic to all human nature, whether it be verbally spoken
about or thought about. Natural conception consists of some sort of sexual act. In thinking of the
term, you immediately consider its effects. Sex is necessary, dangerous, satisfying, unsafe,
enjoyable, and most importantly private. Parents tend to find the topic uncomfortable to discuss
with their children, while children are embarrassed to have the discussion with their parents.
Regardless of the emotions surrounding the topic, the facts about sex should be discussed with
children as early as middle school. During this stage of a childs life, if not earlier, boys are
intrigued by the differences that they see in girls, and vice versa.
It is imperative for adolescents to understand the pros and cons of sex and how it can
affect them for a lifetime. Parents simply stating No, is not enough. Without proper knowledge
of the topic, the minds of your children wont be the only thing that theyll have wandering. Sex
education began in the United States and Europe around 1913. Since that time many parents have
argued that sex is an inappropriate topic which should not be taught nor discussed in schools
without parental supervision or not at all. But, how can a parent trust a science teacher to fully
educate a child about the beginning stages of life without including conception? Also, how can
society depend on parents to teach their children something that they are not completely clear on
themselves? This paper will not only provide reasons as to why sex education should be taught to
students as early as 10 years old, but its goal is to also decrease the increased rate of sexually
active minors nationwide. The health and safety of todays upcoming generation is determined
by their ability to make mature decisions, which is taught through sex education courses/classes
during middle school.
Sex education programs may be costly, but they are worth it. Many feel that, Over the
past three decades, the federal government has invested heavily in these programs, spending
more than $1.5 billion on them. Funding for these unproven programs grew exponentially
between 1996 and 2008, particularly during the years of the George W. Bush administration,
despite an overwhelming body of research proving them to be ineffective at achieving their
stated goals., (Watkins) The opposers of sex education feel that the courses are impotent
because they choose to focus on the dollars spent, compared to those saved. Sex education is
beneficial to the entire nation, due to the financial strain that teenage pregnancy affords the
country.
Being a teenage mother can be viewed as both a blessing and a curse. Teenagers who are
not educated on the consequences of sexual activity tend to find themselves in uncompromising
positions, like raising a child as a child. They sacrifice their remaining childhood for such a huge
responsibility. A teenage mother is less likely than her peers to complete high school, but more
likely to be poverty-stricken. Children with teenage mothers are more likely to experience
disadvantages related to their health and cognitive, become recipients of public assistance, they
are introduced to the correctional system, and have children as teenagers themselves. This
repetitive cycle affects not only those directly involved, but the taxpayers and national
government as well. The reading The Mother describes a female who has clearly had
unprotected sex on several occasions. The sexual acts lead to numerous pregnancies, which

resulted in abortions. She writes to her nonexistent children whose lives she has stolen.
Although, she chose to discontinue their lives, she declares her love for each of them. (Brooks
426.) This story relates to the decisions that females face once they realize their poor decision
making in regards to sex.
Although teenage pregnancy has declined within the upcoming years, sexually
transmitted infections are still affecting people daily. A mother staring a child in the face that she
birth as a teenager is not the only consequence that sex has to offer. There are also STIs that can
affect a person long-term. Because these students are not receiving the information they need
within a timely manner to make mature decisions, they are forced to deal with infections and
diseases such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, syphilis, and HIV/AIDS. It has been argued that,
Abstinence-only sex education programs rely on fear- and shame-based messages that disparage
any sexual activity outside of marriage as well as the use of condoms and contraception.
Numerous studies have proven that these programs are not effective; they do not delay initiation
of sexual activity, reduce the number of sexual partners, or reduce the teen pregnancy rate.
(Watkins) Granted, sex education is geared towards abstinence and sex after marriage, but the
courses/classes are not limited to only those topics. These courses are designed to bring
awareness to the students in hopes that they will be more cautious and conscious of the choices
that they make.
9 out of all 10 children have been instructed by their parents not to do something, but
they still do it anyway. Children will naturally challenge their parents telling them not to do
something. This challenge is not to be disobedient, but just like an adult, a child wants what they
were told they cant have. The difference is that adults know why they cant have what they
want, but children do not. When parents educate their children on specific topics they dont have
to tell their children not to do something. The child understands why it is not in their best interest
to do what their friends are misleading them to do. Sex education helps them to understand the
purpose surrounding the NO and gives them a stronger sense of maturity that will assist them
in making responsible decisions. The programs also teach students what questions to ask
potential partners when they decide that they are ready, as well as what signs and symptoms to be
aware of from certain diseases.

Without proper guidance teenagers make the mistake of engaging in sexual activities
without considering everything that comes along with it. Sex is not only fun but, dangerous as
well. There are consequences to being involved in sexual intercourse.

It strikes their curiosity.

As of 2011 over 47% of high school students admitted to having had sex, and 15% of
them have had four or more sexual partners.

Work Cited
1. Blad, Evie. "New Teacher-Preparation Standards Focus on Sex Education; Teachers often
lack training, experts say." Education Week 7 May 2014: 14. Opposing Viewpoints In
Context. Web. 6 July 2015. This article is an opposing viewpoint which provides reasons
that do not support sex education in schools. Evie Blad argues this by stating that teachers
are not educated enough to teach the children. She feels that because the teachers
themselves are uncomfortable delivering the information they should not be allowed to
do so.
2. Byers, E. Sandra, Heather A. Sears, and Lyndsay R. Foster. Factors Associated With
Middle School Students Perceptions Of The Quality Of School-Based Sexual Health
Education. Sex Education 13.2 (2013): 214. Advanced Placement Source. Web. 6 July
2015. Sandra Byers wrote this paper based off a study that was conducted including 478
predominately white students between grades 6-8; there were 256 girls and 222 boys
surveyed. Each student was asked a series of questions relating to demographic
characteristics; dating and sexual experiences; their interpretation of the content, and
delivery and quality of the sexual health education in which they had previously received.
The results of this study indicated that there was a continued need for sexual health
education in schools.
3. "Abstinence Education Programs Are Not Effective." Do Abstinence Programs Work?
Ed. Christine Watkins. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2014. At Issue. Rpt.
from "Raising Expectations in the Rockies: Colorado's Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage
Industry and the Imperative for Real Sex Education." SIECUS.org. Vol. 3. Opposing
Viewpoints in Context. Web. 6 July 2015. This is an article that provides insight on why
sex education should not be allowed in public schools. Christine Watkins feels that the
programs are not effective because they do not delay the initiation of sexual activity, nor
do they reduce the number of sexual partners or the teen pregnancy rates. She feels that
because the programs dont work they are a waste of federal funds.
4. Cosslett, Rhiannon Lucy. Lets Talk (Properly) About Sex. New Statesman 143.5211
(2014): 26-31. Academic Search Complete. Web 6 July 2015. Rhiannon Cosslett wrote
this book based off of her personal experiences of a student in Britain. She feels that she

did not receive adequate information surrounding sex and as a result she recommends
that educators get the proper training needed to effectively teach students about sex.
5. Lepore, Jill. The Facts of Life. Foreign Affairs 94.4 (2015): 144-149. Academic Search
Complete. Web. 6 July 2015 Jill Lepore tackles the controversy with sex education being
taught in schools. This article explains the necessity of education children on sex due to
its scientifc, spiritual, medical, and economic connections.
6. Rhodes, Darson, L., et al. Influence Of Professional Preparation And Class Structure On
Sexuality Topics Taught in Middle And High Schools. Journal Of School Health 83.5
(2013): 343-349. CINAHL Plus with Full Text. Web. 6 July 2015. This study explains the
effects of professional preparation and class structure in regards to the teaching of sexual
topics to middle school aged minors. The study includes multivariable models that stem
from years of health topics that were taught in addition to the sizes of select school
districts. The results supported the need for health educators to continue developing
course which will educate students in a regard to sex education.

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