High schools should always include sex education in their curriculum.

It need to understand the potential consequences and pitfalls of being physically

seems silly to omit it, for reasons such as parents don't want other people intimate with another person. They need to have an appreciation of and
teaching their teenagers about sex. It doesn't matter what parents think of this respect for the perspectives of others, such as those whose sexuality is
matter, because in this society, all teenagers should be taught the facts and different from their own. They need to be exposed to the issues and
consequences of having sex. Too many teens are having unprotected sex, too responsibilities that come with falling pregnant; there needs to be an
many abortions are happening, and too many babies are being born to parents awareness of the difficult decisions that have to be made if this happens that
that can't support them. It is a major problem in the United States, as well as will inevitably affect the rest of their lives. If this is not done in the nations
other countries. There are various important reasons to introduce sex schools, where else can this be done so that all young people can make
education to teens, and no teen should be sheltered from these lessons. For educated, well informed choices about an issue that could potentially mould
one, knowledge is wealth, especially regarding sex. People say ignorance is the rest of their lives drawing on the best and most up to date information that
bliss, but not when it comes to sex. Teens should learn about sex, why we is available. References.(Kauffman, J. M 2003 'Appearances, Stigma and
have it, and why we should use protection. They should learn that it is not an Prevention' Remedial and Special Education Vol. 24) Learn more about this
outlet to peruse with ease, rather, it is something to be considered seriously author, Silverfox.
before acting on. Classes should be required of teens because it is a proven
fact that kids with more knowledge on the subject will most often have a more
Should there be sex education in schools?  In recent years in Canada, there has
enjoyable first sexual encounter. Kids who who are sheltered from learning
been more sex education in schools, and the teen pregnancy rate has been
about sexual orientation will engage in sex more easily and naively...and will
dropping.  That's right, dropping.  The rate of STD's among young people,
probably be unfulfilled. Not only that, but they may find themselves in an
while still higher than older age groups, has been dropping as well.   Teenage
unfortunate situation, with someone who they don't really want to be with. As
pregnancy is still a problem, however, in Canada and many other countries. 
long as schools include sex ed. classes, our society is one step closer to
In our North American society, teenagers have not completed the level of
creating a more aware teen population. Aside from simply educating our teens
education required to get a job that will allow them to support children, so
about sex, it is important to understand that classes should be offered as a tool
when they do have children, it is a drain on either their parents, the welfare
for direction. Some teens grow up with parents who address sex at an early
system, or charities.  Why does sex education help lower teen pregnancy and
age, while some teens never actually have the "talk" with their parents.
STD rates? Many teens end up pregnant because of misconceptions about
Whichever road these kids go down, having an unbiased person educate them
sex.  If they don't recieve accurate information, they rely on rumors and we
is important because it offers them a different perspective, and allows them to
end up with situations where girls believe they can't get pregnant the first
make smart decisions on their own. Classes should direct teens to approach
time, or they even believe it when their boyfriends tell them "don't worry, this
their sexual orientation with confidence. On a personal level, I believe such
isn't sex"!  There are also many girls who end up pregnant because their
classes should inform students that sex is not something to be taken lightly.
religion is against birth control.  That religion is against premarital sex, too,
There is no need to have sex with every boyfriend or girlfriend you ever have,
but many teens seem to feel less guilty if they are only committing one sin. 
if you don't want to. These days, many kids engage in sex because they feel it
Unfortunately this can result in an unwanted baby whose parents are unable to
is a "cool" thing to do, or they feel forced. This is utterly wrong, and children
care for him/her.  A good sex education program will teach teenagers that yes,
should be taught that they have the ability to make smart decisions regarding
you can get pregnant the first time, with the girl on top, during menstruation,
sex, and schools should implement the teaching of such smart decisions. We
or if you rinse with cola afterward.  (These are all pregnancy prevention myths
would like to see teen pregnancies decrease, so high school sex ed. is
that are out there!)  A good sex education program should also teach ways to
practically a requirement. If nothing else, it will help already sexually active
cope with hormones and abstain from sex if that is a teen's personal choice,
students gain some insight to their activities. Hopefully it will be informative
whether due to religion or other reasons.  Let's not kid ourselves: sex is a
enough so that students can buy condoms without feeling embarassed, have
powerful force and this starts in the teen, or even pre-teen years.  Many self-
sex only when they feel it is "right", and feel that they can talk to their parents
esteem issues revolve around sex-related issues.  We should be teaching our
about it. The worst thing a parent can do is never talk to their child about sex,
teenagers that they are more than their genitalia.  Girls should not feel that the
because most often than not that child will go on to have numerous sex
only thing valuable about them is their virginity, and that if they choose to
partners and treat sex lightly. In doing this, they will just add to the already
have sex they are worthless or have "thrown their life away."  Women are
huge epidemic of unplanned pregnancies, abortions, and teen drop-outs due to
intelligent beings who have so much more to offer the world than an intact
pregnancy. Sex is an important part of the human race, and should be taught to
hymen, and putting so much emphasis on virginity teaches girls just the
students in the same way as any other subject. Hopefully, it will stop being
opposite.  Boys, too, need to know that they are more than the just the sum of
taboo (because it still is to a slight degree) and start being accepted. Learn
the girls they have bedded.  If a boy chooses to wait for "the one" or for
more about this author, Lisbet Loiselle.
marriage, he should not feel that others will judge him as being a loser, and he
should not feel less of a man.  Good sex education programs can teach
Should Teens have Sex Education in School? This issue is one of extreme teenagers that, although whether or not to have sex is a choice that deserves
importance for the whole of society as there are a number of critical factors lots of thought and consideration, it does not define who they are. With all the
that need to be taken into account. Kauffman stated that being appropriately confusing thoughts and feeling surrounding sex, and with all the adolescent
equipped with skills is like being appropriately dressed we need as a society to hormones virtually ensuring that teenagers are obsessed with it, they need a
equip young people to make informed choices about any course of action, safe outlet to explore those thoughts and feelings without being judged.  They
especially one as important as having any form of sexual relationship. There need a place to ask questions and get adequate answers, and unfortunately,
are those who believe that sex education should be between the teenager and many parents are not prepared to provide that atmosphere, due their own
their parents and or extended family. This has merits within a family that still hang-ups about sex.  If teenagers can't get their answers in a classroom setting,
exists in this way but modern society has largely grown away from this way of you can bet they'll be more willing to do "field work" to find out!  And while
life. The nuclear family does not afford the opportunity for such openness to there are many things that are learned best by doing, pregnancy and STDs
exist very often today. There is also the difficulty of the children who do not don't fall on that list of subjects! (Learn more about this author, Rebecca
relate well to either of their parents and who are unable to discuss even the Scarlett.)
most mundane of issues what of their sex education? If they were unable to
get it in school, they would not get it at all. I am of the opinion that it is right
Should Teens have Sex Education in School? This issue is one of extreme
and proper that sex education occurs in school but that this does not remove
importance for the whole of society as there are a number of critical factors
the responsibility for it from the families themselves. It should be done in
that need to be taken into account. Kauffman stated that being appropriately
conjunction with, have the full backing and knowledge of the parents in order
equipped with skills is like being appropriately dressed we need as a society to
that it can be discussed during the process at home. The first issue that needs
equip young people to make informed choices about any course of action,
to be discussed is the nature of relationships themselves what
especially one as important as having any form of sexual relationship. There
relationships/friendships are and how they can develop into intimacy at the
are those who believe that sex education should be between the teenager and
appropriate time. Clearly the biological aspect needs to be addressed within
their parents and or extended family. This has merits within a family that still
the realms of science lessons. Contraception is a key aspect that needs to be
exists in this way but modern society has largely grown away from this way of
discussed openly and sensibly. Young people need to be aware of the various
life. The nuclear family does not afford the opportunity for such openness to
methods that are open for them to use and why it is important that they are
exist very often today. There is also the difficulty of the children who do not
used to protect themselves not only from pregnancy but from unwanted
relate well to either of their parents and who are unable to discuss even the
diseases too. There has to be an informed debate with the students about how
most mundane of issues what of their sex education? If they were unable to
to keep themselves safe in all situations, from the ability and right to say no to
get it in school, they would not get it at all.
the correct use of appropriate contraceptive devices, if they are embarking on
a physically intimate relationship. All people, particularly those in their teens,
I am of the opinion that it is right and proper that sex education occurs in health" but there is still a need to develop the minds of the public, especially
school but that this does not remove the responsibility for it from the families the parents. Estigoy also emphasized that teaching sex education will not be
themselves. It should be done in conjunction with, have the full backing and implemented immediately as it will still undergo testing in some schools
knowledge of the parents in order that it can be discussed during the process at nationwide. "It is also important that the teachers are trained on how to teach
home. The first issue that needs to be discussed is the nature of relationships this," Estigoy said. Education Secretary Mona Valisno said the DepEd will
themselves what relationships/friendships are and how they can develop into "find a way to incorporate" sex education in the basic education curriculum,
intimacy at the appropriate time. Clearly the biological aspect needs to be including elementary subjects, this coming school year by form of lessons.
addressed within the realms of science lessons. Contraception is a key aspect She said she understands the controversy generated by the topic, but said "it is
that needs to be discussed openly and sensibly. Young people need to be much better for school children to be taught in a scientific way rather than
aware of the various methods that are open for them to use and why it is learning it in the streets." Earlier, Valisno said the rising cases of sex-related
important that they are used to protect themselves not only from pregnancy diseases among the youth have now reached an alarming rate because of lack
but from unwanted diseases too. There has to be an informed debate with the of knowledge in the subject. United Nations Children Fund (Unicef) earlier
students about how to keep themselves safe in all situations, from the ability disclosed that "the Philippines is currently witnessing an increase of new
and right to say no to the correct use of appropriate contraceptive devices, if Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection" among 15 to 24-year-old
they are embarking on a physically intimate relationship. All people, Filipinos. The number increased from 41 in 2007 to 218 in 2009. National
particularly those in their teens, need to understand the potential consequences surveys also revealed that misperception about HIV is still prevalence among
and pitfalls of being physically intimate with another person. They need to Filipino youth, and more are engaging in pre-marital sexual activity. The 2003
have an appreciation of and respect for the perspectives of others, such as Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey (YAFSS) also showed that 28
those whose sexuality is different from their own. They need to be exposed to percent of young adults thought that Acquired Immune Deficiency Virus
the issues and responsibilities that come with falling pregnant; there needs to (Aids) is curable. With this, Valisno said the DepEd is working with Unicef
be an awareness of the difficult decisions that have to be made if this happens for the "soft" implementation of the campaign dubbed as "Power of You,"
that will inevitably affect the rest of their lives. If this is not done in the which is aimed to reach at least 12,000 high school students. The program will
nations schools, where else can this be done so that all young people can make be pioneered in some 29 schools in Davao City, as well as in National Capital
educated, well informed choices about an issue that could potentially mould Region, Cebu, Zamboanga, Davao, Olongapo and Masbate this school year.
the rest of their lives drawing on the best and most up to date information that (JCZ/With Sunnex) (Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on June 3,
is available.(References.Kauffman, J. M 2003 'Appearances, Stigma and 2010.)
Prevention' Remedial and Special Education Vol. 24).
Sex Education in the Philippines
Why sex education benefits Filipino elemantary and high school students
The planned inclusion of sex education in both primary and secondary schools The Department of Education will be starting to teach sex education in grades
has sparked a great deal of arguments and debates in the Philippines. Since the 5 and 6 this June. Though the Secretary (Cabral) said it should start in
proposed incorporation of sex education in elementary and high school
Kindergarten. Cabral has said that: "It’s not right that when one gets pregnant,
curriculum pushed by Education Secretary Mona Valisno, various groups
have started to voice out their opinion either agreeing or disagreeing with the that’s only the time when she should know how she got pregnant. That’s not
said notion. More so, a great majority of the inhabitants of the Philippines how it works." First of all, I think it is insulting to all of us to say that the time
which is considered as the center of Catholicism in the Asian region and a people find out how they get pregnant is only once they get pregnant. I don't
very conservative country, believe that such aggressive move will result into think that Filipinos are that stupid. Nor are we that ignorant on how to make
catastrophic damages. Conservatives primarily the Catholic Bishops babies. It just shows her attitude towards this whole issue. It is not an issue of
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP,) the major governing body of the information or research - it is an issue (for her) of just pushing something
Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines believe that such move will induce
down our throats - whether we need it or not. Secondly, I am advocate of
sex and propagate immoral ideas and virtues. While conservative arguments
are respected and greatly appreciated in a constructive manner by this writer, teaching PARENTS how to teach sex education to their children. I do not
some important points should also be taken into consideration. Thus, this want my kids to learn about sex from people in school. I don't want their
article will try to shed light on such a very controversial issue. Philippines is a science teacher to be teaching them about sex and how to keep from getting
Conservative Country? In this golden age where myths and legends of long sicknesses because I don't know what he believes. I do not know how he lives
ago are being proven false, it's quite amazing that the notion that the his life. And I don't know what kind of values he has. For something as
Philippines is a conservative country is still considered a solid fact. I myself important about values education about sex, I want it taught along the same
am a Filipino but am not blinded with all the false hope that lingers within our
celebrated culture. More so, do I believe something which my eyes have lines as I would teach it. Teachers can teach about biology. Even religion.
completely disproved? - certainly not. The truth on the matter is that the Because those are things that you can learn and read in a book. But something
Philippines, given all the euphoria of having Maria Clara as a representation as sensitive as sex education, especially since we believe certain truths about
of the native Filipina women, is a country where problems of overpopulation it as Catholics, must be dealt with even more sensitivity and understanding.
and prostitution exist. It isn't a coincidence that Adam Corolla's sexual insults So yes, teach sex education. But teach it to parents, so they can teach it to
against Filipina women are further vindicated by the night clubs in say, their children. I know what my daughters can handle in terms of information. I
Olongapo and Avenida. How about cybersex dens which regularly
know when they get curious. I can see from their questions when they are
compromises news headlines? Acknowledging a problem is the first step in
solving it. Likewise, the anti-sex education campaigners might just want to ready to learn more about sex and whatever else comes with it - chastity,
look at the figures released by the Forum for Family Planning and purity, faithfulness, etc. They all have different developmental stages, and just
Development Inc. It showed that there are two million teenage Filipina girls lumping them into one subject no matter how mature or immature they may
who are pregnant at this moment while more than four million Filipinos aged be will be detrimental. The challenge to the DepEd, the Church and society is
15-19 have already had sexual intercourse. Nevertheless, such figures will not to fight over the RH Bill. It is to work together and encourage parents tobe
result into higher rates of abortion and has a domino effect on the nation's INVOLVED with the lives of their children. And teach PARENTS, teach us,
economic standing. Now, inserting.
how to talk to our kids about sex. Because if you do not teach your kids about
it, they will definitely learn it from watching those teleseryes on TV. Or
Estigoy optimistic about sex education benefits deducing things from watching sexy advertisements on TV and on the road
(just look at all the almost naked people on billboards). And that would just be
DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd)-Davao Regional Director Susana terrible. (Xavy Padilla/CFC FFL)
Estigoy said she expects positive effects from integrating sex education in
school curriculum "if it is taught to raise awareness on importance of
abstinence, as well as the consequences on sexual experience."

"This is a very delicate topic but we have to change the perspective that sex,
that the topic itself, is dirty. This is a malicious way of thinking," Estigoy said
Tuesday during a press conference at DepEd-Davao office. He said public
schools "have long integrated a form of sex education teaching reproductive