Running head: NON-ABSTINENCE BASED SEXUAL EDUCATION

Sexual Education: A Review of Literature

Lauren Hauptman

University of Texas at El Paso

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Abstract

The purpose of this literature review is to inform the readers what non-abstinence based sexual

education is and the positive effects it can have on a student. This paper will also discuss why

abstinence-based education is the standard taught in schools, and would teaching a non-abstinence

based sexual education be more effective. Teenagers are not being informed of the consequences

that can occur when being sexually active. There has been a high rate in unplanned pregnancies

and STDs. Sexual education can help inform the students of the outcomes that may occur if

someone were to become sexually active. This literature review includes information from

multiple different sources, including an interview with a current owner of a privet school, who’s

also a teacher.
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Sexual Education: A Review of Literature

For many years, parents had the option to decide if they would allow their child to participate in a

1-2-week class to learn about sexual education. Many adults and even some children are wanting

more information about sexual education. The graph bellow shows, that between 2006–2010 and

2011–2013, there was a decline in children knowing about the consequences that come with having

sex. (McCammon, 2017)

Many children aren’t knowing the right information

about sexual education and this is putting them at

risks for STD’s and unplanned pregnancies. Students

aren’t getting the proper information and this conflict

comes from not knowing the correct or right amount

of information when it comes to having or knowing

about sex. This is why having a sexual education class

is important for the youth. while having a sexual

education class would help inform more people/youth

about the sexual health, schools should have a

mandatory sexual education class due to the potential

benefits it can bring to them. Children should be

educated on the outcome that might happen if they have sex, and more children are having STD's

and unplanned pregnancy.

In order to explore this topic more thoroughly, the following questions must be explored:
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What are the positive effects of a non-abstinence based sexual education?

why is abstinence-based education the standard taught in schools?

Should Non-Abstinence Based Sexual Education be taught in schools?

If taught in classrooms, how does this affect the people taking the class?

These four questions help give a better understanding of what the agreement is trying to

accomplish, as well as identifying the possible consequences that a might occur to people that may

or may not now about non-abstinence base sexual education.

What are the positive effects of a non-abstinence based sexual education?

Non-abstinence based sexual education teaches about contraception, such as condoms, to reduce

the risk of unintended pregnancy and of infection with STDs, including HIV. It also teaches

interpersonal and communication skills and helps young people explore their own values, goals,

and options. Although some form of sex education is part of the curriculum at many schools, it

remains a controversial issue in several countries, particularly with regard to the age at which

children should start receiving such education, the amount of detail which is revealed, and topics

dealing with human sexuality and behavior, such as safe sex practices and masturbation and sexual

ethics. In the United States in particular, sex education raises much contentious debate.

(“Advocatesforyouth”, n.d.) Education on sexuality is controversial because some parents

and educators believe it is up to parents to teach kids on this subject. Additionally,

debate around sex education centers on the approaches to teaching including abstinence-
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only, preventative, or health-centered coaching. Despite criticisms, the positive effects

of sex education are often shown in areas like reduced STD rates, improved body

awareness, reduced sexual activity, safe s ex practices, consent, and reduced teen

pregnancy rates. Also, by having a mandatory class that teaches about non -abstinence

based sexual education, students can learn essential information about the dangers that

might occur during sexual activities.

Why is the abstinence-based education the standard taught in schools?

Almost all the states are involved in a sexual education class taught in schools to some degree.

However, some states differ in the extent of involvement and

whether non-abstinence based sexual education or abstinence-

based programs are required, although abstinence-based

programs are more common than others. The graph to the left

shows the percentage of what the most common sexual education

class. These programs teach that abstinence is the only acceptable

behavior. Topics in these programs are typically limited to

abstinence-only and to the negative consequences of pre-marital sexuality. These programs often

omit topics such as abortion, masturbation, and sexual orientation. Contraception is generally

discussed in terms of failure rates and STIs are discussed as being the inevitable result of pre-

marital sexual behavior. Abstinence-only education commonly promotes specific religious values,

even if not explicitly labeled as such. This is why parents and schools prefer this program over

others, so that they cannot be blamed if something is left out or not gone over in depth.
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Should Non-Abstinence Based Sexual Education be taught in schools?

Whether it's safe sex practices or even abstinence, all of these issues must be dealt with in an

educational setting, because the high teen pregnancy rates and high rates of sexually transmitted

diseases, including HIV/AIDS, suggest that more sexual education is needed. Throughout the

years, rates of sexually transmitted diseases among teens are adding urgency to the debate over

sex education. Conservatives claim the alarming statistics illustrate why abstinence should be the

single mantra when it comes to sex ed. Liberals counter that the increase in disease is the strongest

case for more detailed information (Blackman & Scottie, n.d.). “national and state polls

consistently show that 80-90% of adults support sex education in schools” An interview that was

conducted, Julie Armendariz said “we should have more non-abstinence based sexual education,

it’ll give the students more of an insight to what can occur if they choose to get sexually active.”

If taught in classrooms, how does this affect the people taking the class?

Non-abstinence based sexual education, according to the guidelines for comprehensive sexuality

education “should be appropriate to the age, developmental level, and cultural background of

students and respect the diversity of values and beliefs represented in the community.

Comprehensive school-based sexuality education complements and augments the sexuality

education children receive from their families, religious and community groups, and healthcare

professionals.” (“American Adolescents' Sources of Sexual Health Information”, 2017) Being a

science-based and medically accurate program, non-abstinence-based education helps the student
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get a better outlook on the problems at hand. If non-abstinence based sexual education is taught

in schools, it could help cut back on STD rates and maybe even unplanned pregnancies.

Conclusion/Synthesis

Teenagers are not being informed properly of the consequences that can occur when being sexually

active. There has been a high rate in unplanned pregnancies and STDs. Sexual education can help

inform the students of the outcomes that may occur if someone were to become sexually active.

The positive effects of having a sexual education class can help reduce the risks of STD and

unplanned pregnancies. Although abstinence based sexual education is the most common program,

sometimes change can make a major impact. Having a mandatory sexual education class has

shown to help tremendously. Overall sexual education programs help the children learn the impact

sexual activates might have on an individual.

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References

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/component/content/article/450-

effective-sex-education.

Blackman K. and Samantha S. (n.d) “State Policies on Sex Education in Schools” Retrieved from

www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-policies-on-sex-education-in-schools.aspx.

Brown, N. (n.d.) “9 Things My Abstinence-Only Sex Ed Actually Taught Me.” BuzzFeed,

Retrieved from www.buzzfeed.com/nataliebrown/things-my-abstinence-only-sex-ed-

taught-me.

“Comprehensive Sex Education vs. Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs.” (n.d)

Retrieved

from.www.americanbar.org/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/human_rights_v

ol38_2011/human_rights_spring2011/comprehensive_sex_education_vs_abstinence_only

_until_marriage_programs/

Futureofsexed (n.d.) Retrieved from

www.futureofsexed.org/youthhealthrights.html.

“School-Based Sexuality Education: The Issues and Challenges.” ( 6 Dec. 2016) Retrieved from,

www.guttmacher.org/journals/psrh/1998/07/school-based-sexuality-education-issues-

and-challenges.

“American Adolescents' Sources of Sexual Health Information.” (21 Dec. 2017) Retrieved from

www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/facts-american-teens-sources-information-about-sex.
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McCammon, S. (23 Aug 2017). Abstinence-Only Education Is Ineffective And Unethical, Report

Argues. Retrieved from www.npr.org/sections/health-

shots/2017/08/23/545289168/abstinence-education-is-ineffective-and-unethical-report-

argues.

Uneducated sex leads to worse things the educated sex. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://scienceleadership.org/blog/uneducated_sex_leads_to_worse_things_then_educate
d_sex