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What form of sex education is best?

Teenage pregnancy has become highly publicized in the media. The Oscar winning movie, Juno, centered around a pregnant teenage girl. Actress Jamie Lynn Spears became pregnant at 16 in 2008, and VP nominee Sarah Palin’s daughter, Bristol, also became pregnant as a teen. Lastly, two television shows, drama The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and reality show Teen Mom focus on teenage pregnancy.

Approximately half of all teens ages 14-17 are sexually active. In 2006, the teenage pregnancy rate spiked to a whopping 7%. Due to the sexuality of teenagers, many have made it a point to educate teens about sexuality. But what is the best way to go about educating teens, if at all?

Does sex education belong in the privacy of the home? Or should public schools play a role in educating students about human sexuality? If so, what exactly should be taught to students- abstinence only sex education, comprehensive sex education, or something in the middle? Why?

Topics: Teenagers abstinence sex education teen
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    Tim blackburn 30+

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    May 23 2011: i think respoonsibility for sex ed is shared by both schools and parents. i think it should start witht he basics in 5th grade and 6th grade and go into gradual more detail in middle school. high school already covers this in there health classes, but i believe parents should also let there kids know anything they should ask about it. if there ready to ask, there ready to know, imo. it is a public health issue so i do think schools MUST be involved.
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    Amily shaw 10+

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    TED Translator
    May 19 2011: http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/component/content/article/1487-publications
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    Ted Barnes

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    May 1 2011: First of all I think between the ages of 14-17 the sexual activity percentage is higher than almost 50 percent. I think it has always been higher than polls indicate.

    Now, on to the topic at hand. I think a couple of really good points have been made here already. While theoretically I would love to say it is up to the parents to properly educate their kids, I think in actuality the problem is much too serious to not be educating them in schools. As was already said, the media's influence is overwhelming and the bottom line is sex sells so don't expect it to change. Also, free hardcore porn is available to any teen who types in "Tube" in a Google search (providing parental filters have not been implemented).

    I think we need to be honest with our kids about sex both at home and at school. I think this needs to start younger than a lot of parents are willing to accept. We need people that are willing to answer these tough questions like "Well, what about anal sex?" from kids without blushing and making up some excuse to avoid it.

    As far as school is concerned, sex ed should comprehensive and informative and unbiased. Teach it like you would anything else. I would say try not to "promote" anything for that should be the parents' job. Simply lay out the facts and risks along with philosophies and history.
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    Tim blackburn 30+

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    Apr 30 2011: i think anything taught afte 5th grade should be nothing but HONEST. condoms should be offered apon request middle school and up. i also think schools should teach this beacuse it is a public health concern.

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    Scott Armstrong 50+

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    Apr 30 2011: Mum and Dad being frank
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    Chris Aldon 20+

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    Apr 29 2011: Very good question, teen promiscuity is a problem.

    I wish children would stay abstinent, they are not developed mentally to prepare for the consequences.

    I do not think we can rely on parents to give "the sex talk" times have changed.

    Sex education ought to be taught in public schools, where kids learn safe sex YET still have a good abstinent role model to look up too. (Role models were a HUGE thing to me as a developing teen)
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      Tim blackburn 30+

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      Apr 30 2011: i think its up to us to show them how unready they are.
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