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Mara Hart
Finnegan
English Honors 11 2A
9 December 2016

Less Is NOT More

20% of new HIV infections are found in ages 15-24 each year while only 4.1% high

school students have been tested for human immunodeficiency virus (Adolescent). Why are so

many young adults contracting STDs? Is it laziness or ignorance? Since the early 1990s,

Americans have been teaching their nation about the risk of venereal, or sexual, diseases.

Constantly progressing, the country improves its birth control from condoms to birth control

pills, emergency contraceptives, and more. However, in 1996, states were offered federal grants

to teach students that abstinence until marriage was optimal (Sex). Its theorized that abstinence

only education will reduce sexual intercourse, prevent unplanned pregnancies, and inhibit

sexually transmitted diseases. Sex education teaches widely abstinence until marriage and

heterosexual relationships. No criteria or constraints are given to schools to teach same-sex

relationships, neglecting LGBT teenagers. Others believe that a complete sex education will

allow children to grow into healthier relationships and increase their overall quality of life. Sex

education needs to promote safer sex, prevent unplanned pregnancies, and permitting a safe

forum for kids to explore sexuality in order to protect children as they grow.

Sex is a natural impulse to most, but like most things in life, sex is not without

consequences. As the years have progressed, medical technology has allowed Americans to

practice safe sex and reduce the risk of receiving sexually transmitted diseases, such as

chlamydia, HIV, and gonorrhea. In 2015, 41% of high school students had sexual intercourse

while 30% are sexually active. While abstinence is the sole way to completely prevent STDs, not
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many teens are willing to make that sacrifice. Due to the taboo on premarital sex, teens typically

do not disclose their sexual activity and, in turn, arent tested for the possible diseases they could

have caught. Only 27% of the sexually active population are 15-24 years old while 50% of new

STI cases every year stem from youth (Adolescent). STDs can ruin the lives of the minors who

have not yet had the chance to live and experience the world. 26% of all new HIV cases are

among minors. HIV appears as a flu for the first month and if untreated these young adults can

spread the disease to other unknowing individuals, creating an accidental epidemic. Eventually,

HIV can transform into AIDS, resulting in depression, memory loss, and other mental disorders

in the infected (Symptoms). Sex education should teach about the risks of sex while educating

how to reduce that risk.

Abstinence-only education means that young adults are 1.5 times more likely to get

pregnant compared to youth who receive a more comprehensive sex education (Coyle). Nearly

half of high schoolers have had sex in 2015 (Adolescent), but since 1957, teen birth rates have

dropped from 10% to 4% in 2006 (Sex). With the greater liberty in birth control, teenage girls are

regaining control of their body. Increasing education on how to handle teen pregnancy allows

young girls to be prepared for when the accident occurs. Approximately 80% of teenage fathers

dont marry teenage mothers and only a quarter of teenage marriages from premarital

pregnancies last (Teen).While teenage fathers can very easily quit being a parent, a young girl

can become stranded with no options. Abstinence is engineered towards heterosexual

relationships, leaving the minorities lost with no instruction. Abstinence is not for everyone,

despite the idealistic insistence from the school boards across the nation.

Virginia Beach has one of the highest concentration of LGBT residents in a metropolitan

area (Leonhardt). Being gay has faced backlash in society, making it a topic that some dread
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touching on, but being gay is a reality for many teens who unfortunately arent supplied with a

proper sex education. 12% of LGBTQ teens have been taught about same-sex relationships,

leading the clueless majority to seek help from the fallible web or inexperienced peers (LGBTQ).

These oppressed teens are constantly overlooked as theyre ostracized, leading them to be

bullied, depressed, and even suicidal. LGBTQ sex education is hypocritical as they are more

likely to have sex in the conditions that heterosexual couples are warned against. These youth are

more likely to lose their virginity earlier and take on more sexual partners. These youth are more

likely to have intercourse while intoxicated. These youth are more likely to endure dating

violence. Without the same education that heterosexual teenagers are receiving, schools arent

protecting LGBTQ teens against the dreadful behaviors that others are dissuaded from.

Sex education is complex, containing many taboo topics, such as masturbation, abortion,

and homosexuality. Teachers, in the past and present, have been afraid to approach these topics

due to the uncertainty of parents reactions to the lesson (Donovan). This creates a cycle of

ignorant parents hindering their childs education and a trend of stigmatizing these necessary and

natural topics. However, masturbation is a natural and healthy act that people of all ages

participate in, including over half of 14 to 17 year olds (Mozes). Masturbation, though heavily

criticized, includes health benefits, including reduced risk of prostate cancer (Castleman),

menstrual cramp relief, and improved body image (Masturbation). Abortion is often a topic of

debate, especially political and religious. Contrasting views constantly berate the other in media,

making the issue a very divided one. Coupled with the promotion of abstinence, demonization of

abortion leads students to believe that it isnt an option. One thing both pro-life and pro-

choice supporters can agree on is that abortion may be necessary to save a womans life

(Painter). Homosexuality, though increasingly accepted, is still criticized. Uganda has even made
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a law in 2013, making gay sex punishable up to life in prison (Castleman). As the years move on,

minds become more open and children realize that the feelings they have are natural. The

number of LGBT representation is multiplying with celebrities like Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer,

and Ellen Degeneres. As society grows to teach the future to be more open-minded about sex

education, natural tendencies and health advancements become less taboo.

Parents grow worrisome that as their child becomes more sexually aware, sex education

will be a gateway to harmful habits. Worried of the stigma around sex, teachers keep the topic

very restricted. Diane Burger, a sex education teacher from Pennsylvania, says that the message

being given to students is that sex is bad for your body and dangerous, but sex is not inherently

bad. Sex is how populations thrive and pass on their genes to the next generations (Donovan).

Sex is a way that people represent love. Marilyn Monroe, back in the 1950s, said We are all

born sexual creatures, thank God, but it's a pity so many people despise and crush this natural

gift (Monroe). As teenagers grow, they have sex and many of them are not learning the

pressure, emotions, and responsibilities that accompany sex. Teaching these safe topics will

limit the teenagers grasp of sex, not truly preparing them for what may happen.

In-depth sex education will allow students to make more informed choices, keeping them

away from the dangers of sex as they experience their childhood. Keeping sex education

inclusive and well-rounded creates a more welcoming environment where students can address

their concerns, keeping them both physically and mentally healthy. Why is something so natural

left for young students to unsafely experience? With the knowledge the human race has now,

why isnt society willing to share it? Call the school board to question schools on their lack of

comprehensive sex education and show your all-inclusive support.

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Works Cited

"Adolescent and School Health." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, 11 Aug. 2016. Web. 10 Nov. 2016.

Castleman, Michael. "Masturbation: Will the Controversy Never Cease?" Psychology Today.

Sussex Publishers, LLC, 15 June 2015. Web. 28 Nov. 2016.

Coyle, Carter. "Teen Health Clinic in Guilford County Hopes to Reduce Pregnancy Rates, Ethnic

Disparities." Fox8. WGHP, 06 June 2016. Web. 15 Nov. 2016.

Donovan, Patricia. "School-Based Sexuality Education: The Issues and Challenges." Guttmacher

Institute. Guttmacher Institute, 07 Mar. 2016. Web. 28 Nov. 2016.

Gates, Gary J., and Frank Newport. "Special Report: 3.4% of U.S. Adults Identify as LGBT."

Gallup. Gallup, 18 Oct. 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2016.

"Lack of Comprehensive Sex Education Putting LGBTQ Youth at Risk: National Organizations

Issue Call to Action to Improve Programs and Policies." GLSEN. GLSEN, Inc, 2 Dec.

2015. Web. 29 Nov. 2016

Leonhardt, David, and Claire Cain Miller. "The Metro Areas With the Largest, and Smallest, Gay

Populations." The New York Times. The New York Times, 20 Mar. 2015. Web. 29 Nov.

2016.

"LGBTQ Youth Need Inclusive Sex Education | Human Rights Campaign." Human Rights

Campaign. The Human Rights Campaign, 2015. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.

"Masturbation." Get the Facts about. Planned Parenthood, 22 Jan. 2016. Web. 28 Nov. 2016.

Monroe, Marilyn. "Marilyn Monroe Quotes." Goodreads. Goodreads, 16 Feb. 2009. Web. 28

Nov. 2016.

Mozes, Alan. "Study Tracks Masturbation Trends Among U.S. Teens." Consumer HealthDay.
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HealthDay, 01 Aug. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2016.

Painter, Kim. "Doctors Say Abortions Do Sometimes save Women's Lives." USA Today.

Gannett, 22 Oct. 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2016.

"Sex Education Timeline." Leading Issues Timelines. Jan. 9 2012: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher.

Web. 01 Nov. 2016.

"Symptoms of HIV." Symptoms of HIV. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 31 Dec.

2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2016.

"Teen Pregnancy." SpringerReference (n.d.): n. pag. Teen Shelter. Mary's Shelter. Web. 29 Nov.

2016.