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Sex Education in public schools is paying off for teens |
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Although controversial, statistics show a drop in teen pregnancy in the past decade, possible due to the inclusion of sex education in schools. By
STEVE MAYER |
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MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Sex education has been traditionally one of the most controversial subjects in public schools. The issue of deciding what is the best method for preparing today's students to make tomorrow's responsible decisions has various viewpoints, often meeting at odds. President Bush has recently proposed doubling funding for abstinence-education for the next fiscal year, bringing the amount to $270 million. Data released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that birth rates for 15-19-year-olds in Pennsylvania have dropped by 32 percent from the years 1991-2002. The U.S. as a whole saw a drop of 30 percent. Those that support abstinence-education, with its emphasis on waiting until marriage before sexual relations, believe the programs can help counteract teenage pregnancy and the transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections, or STIs. Some parents also do not want their children exposed to material that may be deemed sexually explicit. Opponents of programs that omit discussion about contraceptives feel that students are put at a disadvantage by not having total access to information about human health and sexuality, advocating instead for comprehensive sex education. Some abstinence-based programs do mention contraceptive use, particularly failure rates. In 1996, Congress approved funding to states to teach abstinence. The funding was established by a "formula grant program" created under Title V, Section 510 of the Social Security Act, authorized under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of1996, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank based in Washington D.C., reports that this month, the Senate will vote on the reauthorization of welfare reform. The Heritage Foundation wrote on its website that, "...legislation will include the reauthorization of the federal government's main abstinence education program." "Nothing specifically that says you have to teach sex education," said Bethany Yenner, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Every district is different." Yenner explained schools determine the curriculum in the classroom regarding sex education at the local level. While schools in Pennsylvania are not required to provide sex education, the Academic Standards for Health, Safety & Physical Education for Pennsylvania outlines the health curriculum taught in public schools. Required health topics include: nutrition, drugs, health problems and disease prevention. Growth and development are also part of the curriculum. Under that section, STD and HIV prevention are included, as well as abstinence. Nadine Biller, health and physical education teacher at East Pennsboro High School, said her classes focus on abstinence. Students begin their learning about sex-related issues in middle school. While the primary attention of the curriculum is given to abstinence, there is a unit on contraceptives. Emily Chase from the Capital Area Pregnancy Center presents her program, "Waiting: The Smart Choice," in Biller's classes. Usually accompanied by students from nearby Messiah College, Chase discusses topics such as abstinence and building positive relationships. The school also takes advantage of technology in its teaching. Students in their junior year are assigned to baby simulators for two days and nights, said Biller. Although the program helps students evaluate the impact that a child would have on their own life, Biller said by 11th grade it may be too late, and that programs such as this should begin sooner in a child's academic life. Jim Smith, Supervisor of Physical Education and Aquatics, stressed the importance that abstinence has in the health curriculum at Cumberland Valley High School. The curriculum's purpose is to "really focus on the only sure way to prevent pregnancy and disease," said Smith, explaining that abstinence is the only method that is 100 percent effective against disease and pregnancy. "We teach about human sexuality through a lot of different venues," said Smith. The core principal is making appropriate, informed decisions said Smith. Students also learn about ways to make wise choices regarding not just sexual activity but also conscientious choices about drugs and responsible driving. Although abstinence is the method of preventing pregnancy and disease that is given the most emphasis and support, condoms are discussed when students learn about STIs. Students are taught about effectiveness, but not the "how to" aspect of birth control said Smith. "Scare tactics don't work, but we do hope the truth does," said Smith, giving his personal opinion about how the topic of human sexuality should be approached in the classroom. "Planned Parenthood supports age appropriate, medically accurate, sexuality education," said Jennifer Ziegler, Director of Communications and Outreach for Planned Parenthood of the Susquehanna Valley. Ziegler explained it is "irresponsible" to teach abstinence-only sex education. Although abstinence should be taught she said, teens should be given all the options about making responsible sexual decisions. Planned Parenthood, at the state level, is currently forming an Education Advisory Committee in order to "reinvigorate our education program," said Ziegler. If requested, Planned Parenthood will go to schools to provide information. Planned Parenthood is also lobbying at the state level for over-the-counter emergency contraception. Planned Parenthood provides a birth control program as well a STI program. According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, a non-profit corporation that documents reproductive issues, the rate of teen pregnancy is "much higher in the United States than in many other developed countries." The U.S. has a rate twice that of England and nine times that of Japan and the Netherlands. All stories in this magazine are the intellectual property of the individual authors. You may email comments about this story to: slm379@psu.edu
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