WE NEED BETTER SEX EDUCATION!
Young people
constantly pick up sexual messages, many of them ones that do not promote healthy
sexuality, including commercial messages that are in the interest of
advertisers, and misinformation from
their peers. Avoiding talking about sexuality only teaches young people to feel
uncomfortable about sexuality.
A research has revealed that most young people
(93%) learn about sex and sexual health from school-based sexuality education
programs. Family members were also found to be a significant source of
information at 61 per cent. However, students reported low levels of confidence
to discuss sexuality with parents.
With the
research telling us that school children are turning to schools and their
families for reliable information, it is important to support schools and
parents to do the best job they can.
Many young
people are sexually active in some way and this has increased over the last
decade. Research reports two issues of concern:
- a low level of consistent condom
use
- increased rates of unwanted sex,
particularly in relation to alcohol use.
There are
numerous competing messages about sexuality in the world. Many are misinformed
and sensationalist, yet are often presented in highly communicative styles,
through pop videos, advertisements, internet blogs, mobile phones, films,
reality TV and television serials.
The primary
purpose of many of these messages is to sell a product, not to equip young
people with what they need to know for a healthy and fulfilling adult life.
Young people
can make good decisions about their sexual health if education policies,
programs and services are available to help them.
To be
meaningful for all, it is essential to ensure learning and teaching in
school-based sexuality education programs recognise and respond to the
diversity of student needs. Forms of diversity include sexual orientation,
gender, culture, religion and disability.
As you see a
good sex education is very important, especially because it’s not just helping
teenagers to understand how their body works, and learn what a healthy sexual
life is but it can also help to decrease the rates of unintended pregnancies
among teenagers.