Avoiding Contraception and Sexual Education in America’s Schools

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One argument from the opponents of contraception education that stems from providing contraception devices and birth control education to teenagers in schools is these programs encourage to be sexually active. Research shows that providing information about sex and birth control methods does not increase the rates at which teenagers become sexually active (Peterson-Beadle web). Supporters of sexual education in school say that they are just giving teenagers the opportunity to be educated and informed about sex and sexually transmitted diseases, learn skills that will help them delay sexual activity until they are ready and prevent unprotected sexual activities (Donovan 2). There are programs that were created by the National Campaign to prevent teen and unplanned pregnancies to help reduce rates in America (CDC web). These programs are focused on improving communication within the home (Bouris web). Some of these programs are designed to help parents communicate with their teenagers and talk to them about their activities including dating and sex (Bouris 2). A survey among latino adolescents showed that Latino children viewed their parents as their influence in their sexual behavior (Bouris 2). This research shows that teenagers will be influenced the majority of time by their parents sexual behavior and not be influenced by the availability of contraception or education on sex.

Contraception has been viewed in the past as immoral and a threat to family values (Goldfield,Abbott,Anderson, J.Argersinger,P.Argersinger,Barney 609). As times progress, the needs of society evolves. Statistics have not yet failed to prove that the “moral” solution has not worked in the 21st century. Conservative views and values should be honored within the home. States that have an abstinence only program have proved to have the worst statistics when it comes to preventing teenage pregnancy. The cycle of poverty continues for generations of irresponsible men and women who have made the wrong choices and have to live with the consequences. Teenage mothers and fathers are likely to have their children continue to the cycle of parenting early in life. The best way to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancies is to use birth control consistently and effectively (CDC web). The President’s teenage pregnancy prevention initiative created a community wide program to educate teenagers and provide reproductive health assistance in communities that have high rates of teenage pregnancy and childbirth (CDC web). The five year goal is to reduce teenage pregnancy and birth rates in targeted communities. These programs encourage abstinence from sex or delayed sexual activity, increase effective use of condoms or other contraception for sexually active teens (CDC web). These programs are vital in the war against the epidemic of teenage pregnancy in America. People such as Margaret Sanger have pioneered for changes in belief about contraception and sexual education since the early 1900’s (Bone web). She witnessed firsthand the sad reality of unwanted pregnancies and the burden of giving birth when a person simply does not want a baby (Bone 1). Her historical fight proves that contraception distribution and education is necessary for America’s adolescents should be separated from moral perspectives. It arguably is not moral to continue to witness the pattern of sexual irresponsibility and pregnancies that could be prevented by birth control. As a society, providing contraception to teenagers is not encouraging them to have sex, it encourages them to be responsible and ensures they are informed and educated about sex and how to prevent pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Surveys prove that the sexual behavior of the majority of teenagers is influenced by their parents or guardians (Bouris 2). This statistic shows that regardless of the availability of contraception, the choices that adolescents make are ultimately shaped by their values taught at home. The fight to keep contraception accessibility out of schools should be reevaluated from a logical and open minded perspective. Contraceptives and sexual education should be provided in America’s public school system.