Let's Talk About Sex Ed.

The goal of sex education is to educate teenagers on how to avoid pregnancy and STDs. However, the fact that teen pregnancy rates have significantly increased in 26 states, according to a January study by the Center for Disease Control. The CDC also reports that one in four teens contracts an STD each year. Obviously, the sex ed. programs currently in place are not working.  

The problem is that many schools teach abstinence-only sex ed. classes. This type of program simply tells teens not to have sex, and does not take into consideration that many of them have been sexually active for years by the time they take the class. This is why it is important to teach methods of preventing pregnancy and STDs, and at an early age. If middle schoolers are having sex, then they need to be given a sex ed. class that teaches them how to be responsible about it. A sex ed. program would not be promoting kids to have sex, as some might say. Teenagers will do continue to have sex, even if there is a class telling them not to. But by instructing them on being safe and responsible, the teen STD and pregnancy rates will drop dramatically.