For more information
Call 1-800-351-0222
Call 1-800-351-0222
ABSTINENCE IN SEX EDUCATION.
Term Paper ID:24297
Essay Subject:
Examines abstinence as option in sex education in public schools. Laws, public attitudes, criticism, liberal & conservative views, safe sex, disease.... More...
10 Pages / 2250 Words
10 sources, 18 Citations,
APA Format
$40.00
More Papers on This Topic
Paper Abstract:
Examines abstinence as option in sex education in public schools. Laws, public attitudes, criticism, liberal & conservative views, safe sex, disease.
Paper Introduction:
The teaching of abstinence as an approach to public school sex education will be discussed with regard to the questions what, when, how, and why. Although nine in ten Americans agree that schools should teach kids about sex (Shapiro, 1993, p. 56), concensus ends here. Educators and community leaders must decide how best to answer the above questions if the dialog over sex education is to result in some common ground. If educational leaders cannot agree on how best to approach the abstinence question, the future of sex education as part of a well-rounded health education curriculum is at stake.
States have left the sex education aspect of health education up to local districts in the same manner that the federal government has left it up to the larger community to decide what constitutes pornography. In essence, states have
Text of the Paper:
The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper.
7). After all, if one teachesabstinence, then education about sexual intercourse is unnecessary. 3399-34 ) As a trend-setting state, California set the stage at the beginningof the 199 s for the abstinence-only movement. In the late 198 s, school district offices began to be flooded with"abstinence only" literature. The debate on how best to teach sex education continues, largely theresult of the apparent logic of the above conservative argument. At the present, the conservativesare having their way with regard to sex education, and, in particular, theteaching of abstinence. U.S. (1987). C. It is this component of theequation which drives the "abstinence only" camp crazy, and certainly"what" should be taught would not include contraceptive techniques.Remember that the "squirt gun" analogy still holds. Etzioni's approach, and that ofthe task force, urges students to postpone sexual activity until they aremature enough to handle the consequences--including pregnancy and STDs--butalso to provide them with information on how to use contraceptives if theydo start (CQ Researcher, 1996, p. 534). In answer to "How should we teach abstinence?" one couldanswer, "We should teach abstinence as part of a voluntary sex educationprogram in the public schools, and we should not teach abstinence while atthe same time passing out condoms." In answer to "What should a programemphasizing abstinence include?" one could answer, "The program shouldinclude age-appropriate material in those classes which teach sex educationand discuss sexual intercourse. As has been mentioned previously, and as Carlin, Jr. 1338, p. That is clear from teen birthrates. Elders' recent removal as Surgeon General after her remarks aboutmasterbation shows how the tide has turned toward greater conservatism aswe finish out the 199 s. Will kids by abstinence? The teaching of abstinence as an approach to public school sexeducation will be discussed with regard to the questions what, when, how,and why. Of course it ispossible for teens to sublimate sexual desire into activities involvingsports or academics, but can we expect all teens to be equally successfulat sublimation? (1996) says that when parents talk about the why, how,what, and when of sex education--namely, the teaching of abstinence--theywant their children to engage in a curriculum which teaches them values.However, then the question becomes, "whose values?" Carlin, Jr. ETR promised to providetraining, research, and publishing to contracting schools, in essence,coopting the curriculum by leading administrators through the dangerouswaters of sex education. The slippery slope argument (that oncestarted on their way toward active sexual behavior, teens will engage inmore and more dangerous sexual behavior) is used to counter any curriculumwhich even infers that there is another choice, namely intercourse, or the"myth of safe sex." Petting one's dog is still the only safe choice. 534-535.Eidemiller, H. Even so, groups are now moresplintered than ever over the question of sex education. Such programs have a Nancy Reagan "Justsay no" simplistic quality to them which makes them appear foolish, both toteens and most enlightened educators. (p. (1995). Teaching AIDS. [At the same time,however], a values curriculum that keeps silent about adolescent sex willevoke this response from parents: 'So what's the point? 56-59.----------------------- 6 In a similar fashion, school boards have the power todetermine whether or not to offer sex education in local districts. 25). Shapiro (1993) presents a generalistic overview of the state ofcurrent thinking with regard to abstinence: he answers the question, "Whyhas the abstinence approach to sex education gained ground in the 199 s?": Most adults fall into opposing camps on exactly which of the facts of life to teach. (1996)maintains that "[parents] want the schools to help them in the difficultjob of inculcating sexual restraint in their kids. 4-8.California Education Code, Chapter 13337. Although nine in ten Americans agree that schools should teachkids about sex (Shapiro, 1993, p. 56). This assessment of the role of students' own decision-making processes in itself is counter to what the abstinence movement is allabout. Condoms justdon't hack it. Animportant question arises: How does an educator teach AIDS preventionwithout teaching sex education? As theabove quotation illustrates, when AIDS brought sex education to a moreprominent position in the public schools in the late 198 s, birthratesbegan climbing rapidly. At the same time that it skirts human sexuality, it teaches howto clean needles and how to don a condom. (1988). However,if the sexual urge is a normal biological function like eating or sleeping,the above shoplifting comparison does not ring as true. (Ch. Task force enters sex education debate. "How" to teachabstinence is simple for the Sex respect experts; unfortunately, none ofthe "abstinence only" programs has a proven record of success. It is important to note that the California Statutes of 1987-1988emphasize that material on sex education be "age-appropriate," include thecomponents of honor and respect for "monogamous heterosexual marriage,"include components on the perils of "out-of-wedlock" birth, and includewarnings about statutory rape. The most clear-headed among educators take a middle ground (teach abstinence along withcondom use) while conservatives urge teens to "pet your dog, not your date"(Shapiro, 1993, p. In the following account of the "Great Sex-Out," Gibbs (1993) reportson one county's effort to sublimate sexual desire into teen activitieswhich sound as though they are right out of the 195 s: "Teenagers in YorkCounty, Pennsylvania, celebrate the Great Sex-Out, a sex-free day toreflect on abstinence. Elderssaid that sex education should be about making enlightened choices; theconservatives said that we should not be letting students make thosechoices to begin with. 34 1). (1991). Then it canbring happiness, and not problems, to ourselves and to others" (Gitchel,1987, p. Since the event was held on aMonday, it wasn't much of a problem. The "throw in the towel" crowd concedes, with value- free resignation, that having sex is normative teen behavior and the most that adults can do is teach young people how sperm meets egg, toss out loads of condoms, and hope for the best. 5 ). It is into this dangerous fray that educational leaders must tread,often without the support of the nine out of ten citizens who say they arein favor of sex education in the public schools. (1987-1988). "Will Kids Buy Abstinence?" was addressed by the editor of VirginiaJournal of Education in January of 1995. Those who attempt to answer the fourquestions above must also consider the AIDS education question. In 1997, however,Elders and her views, are out of the mainstram, and abstinence is thebattle cry of educational reformers who pursue their mission with religiouszeal. But on Friday, said one student,'that would be harder'" (p. Of course, increasing birthrate is not necessarilyindicative of teenage sex or unsafe sex. If you don't planto say anything about teen sex, then why are you doing this at all?" (p.7). In answer to "Whyshould we teach abstinence?" one could answer, "Because it is the onlymethod of birth control that is 1 % effective, and other methods ofteenage birth control have failed, i.e., resulted in an increasingbirthrate. Elders talked about the necessity of familyplanning; the conservatives countered with the argument that teens shouldnot be having families. When former Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders spoke out in favor ofa middle ground approach to sex education--in other words, teach abstinencebut also offer the tools necessary if students do engage in sexualintercourse--she was ridiculed as "the condom queen" by conservativespokesperson Phyllis Schlafly. [State Bill 2394] would require all ... The above discussion shows that no approach is going to be all thingsto all people, and concensus will not be easy. Allen (1995) reports on a schooldistrict in Fairfax County, Virginia, which offers a family life curriculumwith a strong "abstinence-only" strand. A look at California's Education Code (1987-1988) with regard to the content of sex education includes this provision: Under existing law, the governing board of a public elementary or secondary school may include sex education in its curriculum but may not require pupils to attend any class which human reproductive organs and their functions and processes are described, illustrated, or discussed. Next,it is time to pass out the condoms. Neither solution, however, works very well with today's sophisticated teenagers. Before examining theabove four questions, it will helpful to consider another dynamic to thequestions. Should they takean "abstinence" approach or a "safe sex" approach? The main criticism of programs stressing abstinence is that they areunrealistic and ineffective because they never discuss birth control andsimply expect teens to avoid sex. Elders emphasized that we need to teach teens to make good choicesabout sex. We should stop kidding ourselves" (p. A book from Planned Parenthood of Central California, now in itsfifth printing, offers this wisdom: "The better we understand sex, thebetter we are able to make responsible decisions about it. They consistently use the term "family lifeeducation" as a safer-sounding substitute for "sex education." Of courseAIDS is handled delicately, and sex only in the sanctity of normal marriageand normal family relationships is encouraged. The myth of safe sex. (1993). Inessence, states have simply followed the lead of the Supreme Court whichhas left it up to local communities to decide for themselves what is decentand what is not. Meanwhile the "stop it" forces call for scaring teens into premarital chastity with horror stories of shame and disease. 6 ). Like all liberals, she was placing some faith in the power ofeducation to elighten those who could then make their own choices. If teens are going to have sex, then they must beeducated in condom use, and so on and so on. As Dr. Elders found out, there is no room for personal choice,because with choice comes the decision to have sexual intercourse on theparts of some teens. (1996). For now the abstinence-only contingent has won the day. 5). 7-8.CQ Researcher. Teaching values in schools: Which ones? Let's talk about sex: A read-and-discuss guidefor people 9 to 12 and their parents. Carlin, Jr. The approach was spearheaded byGeorge Washington University sociologist Amitai Etzioni, who chaired aWhite House task force on sex education. How should we teach our children about sex? Schlafly's ridicule of Elders echoes manyconservative voices which say that Elders' approach sends kids a mixedmessage, akin to the following: "It's illegal to shoplift, but if you doit, here are some tips on how to avoid getting caught" (Shapiro, 1993, p.57). SantaCruz: Network Publications.Gibbs, N. Schools were told to teach AIDS prevention. If the latter, they'lloutrage moral and religious conservatives; if the former, they'll outragemost liberals and secularists" (p. The book uses the term "safersex" rather than "safe sex," for obvious reasons (Quackenbush, 1988, ii). (1996) verifies,"If the schools rise to the challenge and decide to tackle the sexquestion, they're right back in their original quandry. Among activities suggested as alternatives to sexare baking cookies and taking moonlit walks. 1337, p. Education--Sex Education--Content. As one would expect, extremist religious groups have taken up thecross of "abstinence-only" education, and they are unanimous in their viewthat the best sex education is none at all. The above sex-free day sounds as thoughthe students designed it as a sort of inside joke on school administrators. A look at any school district's professional library isbound to turn up some Sex Respect teaching material. Add to these ongoing arguments the threat of AIDS,and it is not difficult to understand how the teaching of abstinence wonthe day. Santa Cruz: NetworkPublications.Shapiro, J. The above quotation which threatensthe integrity of dogs everywhere is (was?) the slogan of the popular SexRespect program, "conducted in 1,1 school districts nationwide" (Shpiro,1993, p. With regard to this last item, the codespecifies that "course material and instruction shall advise pupils that itis unlawful for males of any age to have sexual relations with femalesunder the age of 18 to whom they are not married, pursuant to Section 261.5of the Penal Code" (California Education Code, Ch. Fresno: Planned Parenthood ofCentral California.Noble, R. The question of "how" to teach abstinence stilllooms large. One such company promoting such packets ofliterature to districts was ETR (Education, Training, Research) Associates(Eidemiller, 1988, Network Information Packet). At the beginning of the 199 s, articles began appearing in popularmagazines decrying the myth of "safe sex." Noble (1991), a physician andprofessor of medicine, who wrote a special article for Newsweek (reprintedin the conservative Reader's Digest), is typical of those who jumped on theabstinence bandwagon. 534). pp. (1993). Eventually we wind upteaching about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including AIDS. ETR Associates: Network Publications. (1988). classes that teach sex education and discuss sexual intercourse to emphasize that abstinence from sexual intercourse is the only protection that is 1 % effective against unwanted teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and AIDS when transmitted sexually ... P. 6 -66.Gitchel, S. ReferencesAllen, A. Throughout the 198 s, the federal government and the statesagreed that AIDS education should be a mandatory part of the public schoolhealth curriculum. (1996). His closing statement reflects the popular sentimentof the decade: "There is no 'safe' sex. 24- 25.Quackenbush, M. Reader's Digest(originally published in Newsweek), April 1, 1991, pp. States have left the sex education aspect of health education up tolocal districts in the same manner that the federal government has left itup to the larger community to decide what constitutes pornography. Educators andcommunity leaders must decide how best to answer the above questions if thedialog over sex education is to result in some common ground. The above code appears tostate the obvious, and thus would appear unnecessary, yet it gives legalcredibility to those who favor a conservative approach to sex education.Now abstinence was not only a good idea, it was also illegal in Californiato teach otherwise. Certainly the moonlit walks are a bad idea if the object is to curbromantic yearnings. Newsand World Report, 115 (4), pp. Whose?Commonweal, 123 (3), pp. 56) The developments of the past fifteen years have not helped buildconcensus regarding sex education, and, in particular, abstinence. Time,141 (21), pp. The latter part of the199 s will see continued debate on the why, how, what, and when ofabstinence, with the conservatives in the lead. Now a third way of thinking has begun to emerge among sex educators and public health workers that combines the abstemious and lenient approaches and stresses reaching younger children. Ifeducational leaders cannot agree on how best to approach the abstinencequestion, the future of sex education as part of a well-rounded healtheducation curriculum is at stake. A White House Character Education Conference in June of 1996 hosted atask force which favored what media-watchers dubbed "an abstinence plus"approach (CQ Researcher, 1996, p. 56), concensus ends here. Passing out condoms to teen-agersis like issuing them squirt guns for a four-alarm blaze. 3399-34 .Carlin, Jr. In this manner, Allen (1995) buildshis case for abstinence, because who, in their right mind, would engage insomething that was psychologically self-destructive and potentially life-threatening? After falling for more than a decade, they began climbing rapidly in the late 198 s and are now [1993] at their highest levels since the early 197 s--before the widespread availability of birth control and abortion ... 6 (23),pp. Giventhat most school boards are exceedingly conservative, sex education islooked upon as a Pandora's Box of trouble for school board incumbents whowant a smooth tenure before entering into more powerful political office. How does one(especially a teenager) suppress a biological urge? Another publication, again an ETR product of 1988, is Teaching AIDS.This book clinically answers questions about AIDS without teaching humansexuality. 56). Teenage sex: Just say "wait". Sex education programs which do not emphasize sexual abstinence are inconsistent with society's concern for reducing unwanted teenage pregnancy, AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases. During her tenure as Surgeon General, Elders'views were actually mainstream enough to have drawn support from all themajor medical and child health groups--from the American MedicalAssociation to the Child Welfare League of America. Allen (1995) interviewed sexuallyactive girls whom he termed "at risk." According to Allen (1995), thesegirls were having sex even though they didn't want to, and they didn'tenjoy the sex they were having (p. Education Digest, 6 (5),pp. It will be beneficial to review the four questions concerningabstinence mentioned at the opening of this paper. Finally, in answer to the question, "Whenshould abstinence be taught?", those who believe in the power of abstinence-thinking contend that abstinence as a concept should be woven into thecurriculum as a "strand" running throughout health education classes,presumably beginning in the middle grades (grades 4-8).
If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again:
or
We can write a Custom Essay just for you.
Browse Essays by Subject