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The way we see it…
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There are many uses for a condom. Fortunately these uses extend beyond tossing them end over end as phallic-shaped water balloons. Men and women can appreciate them because they help with the prevention of spreading sexually transmitted diseases like herpes, HIV and syphilis, and combined with other means of contraception, can significantly reduce the likelihood of conception. But when should a person be introduced to the benefits of safer sex?
How old is old enough, or rather, how young is too young? It’s a difficult question. Along the same line is what exactly should be taught. Should abstinence be the primary focus of sexual education? Should schools just assume that children as young as 12 are having sex and educate all children accordingly?
According to a poll conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, approximately 70 percent of American parents feel that from 7th grade to 12th grade, unwanted pregnancy is a major problem. That same poll indicates more than 70 percent of parents think it’s very important that sex-education be taught in schools and that the spread of STDs is a major issue. Nearly half of the respondents disagreed that sexual activity outside of marriage has harmful physical and psychological effects.
The majority of parents then are concerned about pregnancy and STDs. They also believe that sexual education should be taught in school. The content for that particular education was stark in its clarity.
Ninety percent of parents felt the following topics were necessary in sexual education, according to the Kaiser poll: The process of sex, HIV/AIDS, STDs, birth control methods, waiting until adulthood to have sex, how to get tested for STDs, how to deal with emotions related to sex and how to make responsible decisions regarding sexual intercourse.
It’s rather obvious then that sexual education is necessary in schools as seen from the eyes of parents. It also is clear as to what should be taught in these educational courses.
In all of this, where do our Presidential candidates stand?
A bill he supported in the Illinois State Senate elucidated Barack Obama’s stance on sex education. According to factcheck.org that bill touched upon lowering the age for comprehensive sex education to include kindergarten. It should be mandated that the instruction be “age-appropriate” for kindergarteners when addressing topics such as sexually transmitted diseases. Parents have the opportunity to remove their children from the class without question.
According to the Los Angeles Times, “John McCain, and the GOP platform say children should be taught that abstinence until marriage is the only safe way to avoid pregnancy and disease.”
The candidates have largely different approaches to the topic. As far the Arbiter goes, we feel that sex is something that is going to happen. The most intelligent and thought out choice in regards to sex will be the right choice. Wear protection and keep yourself healthy and happy.
The way we see it is based on the majority opinions of The Arbiter editorial board. Members of the board are Shannon Morgan, editor-in-chief; Charlotte Taylor, managing editor; Bob Beers, opinion editor; Dale Eisinger, culture editor; Colby Stream, news editor; Tabitha Keily, news coordinator; and Laura Rogers, copy editor.
THE ARBITER STAFF