Only 22 states and the District of Columbia require public schools teach sex education, 20 of which mandate sex education and HIV education ("State Policies On Sex Education in Schools" 1). This frightening fact only follows the next daunting matter from an article on Daily Online News claiming that youth is having more unsafe sex and know less about contraception. The implied allegation was supported by a 2011 survey which states that 53% of teens have had unprotected sex with a new partner ("More Teenagers Have Unprotected Sex and Know Less About Contraception, Claims International Study" 1). The importance of this observation is dire to the health of teens and what measures are being taken, or avoided, when it comes to educating today's generation on the matter of sex. Obviously, given the statistical evidence, America's youth needs to know the facts about safe sex, and the most effective way to promote save sex is through sex education.
First off, sexual acts are very likely to occur in a teen's life. Sex is inevitable in life and educating students rather than only preaching abstinence, can allow them to make smarter, safer decisions. Advocating safe sex is another great benefit of sex education. Allowing teens to see what could happen if they are not smart about their choices, as well as providing the right tools to remain safe and have somewhere to go for help if necessary is an advantageous part of sex education. Sex education does not only discuss sex itself, it also educates youth about how the body, reproduction, and how both male and female bodies function, as well as raising awareness about what healthy relationships consist of. I believe that youth needs to be educated on important aspects of sex because it is an important part of becoming a sexually active person, which allows one to protect themselves as well as others at any age. .
When discussing the topic of sex education, abstinence is usually the first or only method discussed; some argue that the only way to avoid pregnancy and contracting sexually transmitted infections or diseases, or STD's.