A Surprising Call For More Sex Education

Posting Date: 10/04/2000

I?ll admit I?m surprised at a new survey that shows a vast majority of Americans favoring more and better sex education in the schools.

This has always been an important issue to me because we?re the most unhappy culture on earth when it comes to our sex lives, the reason being we?re not open enough about sexuality.

Opponents of sex education are apparently more vocal and organized because this latest survey of 1,500 parents, teachers and students by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that 84 percent of respondents want sex education to explain how to obtain and use birth control. Parents also want schools to teach children how to be tested for AIDS and how to respond to pressure to have sex and deal with the emotional consequences of sex.

One surprising statistic is that 72 percent of all parents believe sex education should cover the issues of abortions and 76 percent want courses to involve discussions on homosexuality.

In countries where there?s more openness about sexuality in the schools, there are lower rates of teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, but this country?s always been behind in dealing realistically with this important adolescent issue.

The lure of the illicit is very powerful, so it doesn?t make sense to hide sexual issues from our youth. It?s better to openly discuss sexuality and provide information without making value judgments.

I?m glad to see that a high percentage of parents want protective and informative messages given to our youngsters in sex education because this will result in a healthier outlook on adult sexuality.

Source: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation survey, Oct. 4, 1999

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