Reduction of Teenage Pregnancy As A Rationale For Sex Education: A Position Paper

Abstract

There is little doubt that the present level of interest in initiating sex education programs in the schools stems from the effort to reduce the teenage pregnancy rate. While one can hardly challenge the respectability of the goal to reduce teenage pregnancy, the writers take the view that the focus on reducing teenage pregnancy may be counter-productive to the establishment of effective sex education programs in school for the following reasons. 1. It promotes a narrow and incorrect understanding of human sexuality and sex education. 2. It creates misunderstanding of what constitutes a comprehensive sex education program. 3. Because the focus is on the junior/senior high youngster the assumption is left that sexuality occurs only between grades six and twelve. 4. It focuses primarily on the female and provides little education for the male. 5. It implies that the majority of teenagers want sex and not babies. 6. It implies that advocating sexual restraint is moralizing (and moralizing is bad) but teaching students that they should use contraceptives to avoid pregnancy is not moralizing. 7. The contraception approach presents human sexuality as a negative behavior because it conveys the impression that sex will get you into trouble if you do not know what to do.

Gender Differences in the Influence of Protective Factors, Risk Factors, and Health Risk Behaviors on HIV Risk Behaviors Among Youth in South Florida

“…The 1980s brought awareness of the threat of HIV infection and AIDS, and one of the most controversial issues in the history of the epidemic has involved educating the nation's youth about HIV-related topics and prevention (Wierson & Bright, 1996). First generation sex education programs in the 1970s focused on reproductive health and were designed to impart knowledge about sexuality and the consequences of pregnancy (Dunn, 1982).…”

Sex education in Iowa: sex educator characteristics and curricular materials used in public junior and senior high schools

“…Also, young women who have been in a sex education program which included discussion of contraceptive methods are more likely to use a contraceptive at first intercourse. Dunn (1982) contended that programs which focus entirely on teenage pregnancy prevention can promote a misunderstanding of what a comprehensive sex education program can be. She also contended that a program which stresses birth control may lead parents to believe that sex education in schools is a means of teaching teenagers how to have sex and avoid the consequence of pregnancy.…”