D#8 HW#7 Rough Draft WP#2

*this is my not finished and very late rough draft. I'm feeling pretty bad about not getting it done on time, but i must admit I'm trying my very best. i thought we were supposed to do in text citations APA format...but not totally sure, i would appreciate all the feed back i can get. Thanks!

Should Sex Education Be Required In Schools?
The taboo topic that rules our very world. Parents are often embarrassed to have “the talk” with their kids. This fact is undeniable, you see it advertised on commercials on popular networks such as MTV; about sites you can go to for tips on how to talk to your teen about sex. People are all too often living with eyes wide closed, filling their heads with thoughts like, “yeah, but that won’t happen to me” or “not my kid”. The movement for sex education, began in the United States in the late nineteenth century. “ My school's definition of sex education is a half semester of teaching us the process of child birth and that the only way to prevent it is to refrain from having sex. I find this a bit questionable judging by the fact that our school handbook says that comprehensive sex ed is to be implemented in my school.” (Ann, Jessica, 2008) Jessica was a senior in high school when she write a blog titled “Define Sex Education”. She expresses her thoughts on the lack of safe sex education. In her opinion schools are more focused on scare tactics to convince you not to have sex as opposed to teaching what ways you can protect yourself and practice safe sex. She brings up a very valid point, that there are very few people in high school who haven’t had sex, however there is an even smaller number of people who have received sex education. Not a good mix.
The topic is not to be taken lightly, there are so many differing views based and personal opinions, experiences, and moral values. “When Leslee Unruh talks to young people, she uncoils a nest of rubber vipers: Herbie Herpes, Wally Wart, Hester Hepatitis, Albert AIDS and Lucy Loss of Reputation. And don't forget poor Pregnant Peggy Sue.
Unruh isn't selling souvenirs, she's using the snakes and other props to teach young people about the risks of sex before marriage. What she won't show kids, however, is how to protect themselves if they choose to ignore the lessons she and Herbie Herpes have to teach.” (Sternberg, Steve, USA Today, Sex education stirs controversy, 2002) Unruh is the founder of a taxpayer funded organization called the National Abstinence Clearing House, she believes that sex after marriage is the only message to put out. This whole article focuses on abstinence only education, explaining that it is the only way to stop the spread of STDs. However there is a portion dedicate to the opposing argument; “We firmly believe that abstinence is the foundation on which every teen pregnancy prevention program should be built. Ask any parent of a teenager; that would be their preference. But if you look at the studies, the data is going to tell you that it isn't necessarily realistic.” These opposing opinions come from Catherine Camacho, who is the deputy director of family health in the California Department of Health Services. The more logical opinion is Catherine’s, who believes that abstinence, life skills, and contraception should be taught in an effort to delay teens from having sex, and practicing safe sex when they choose to do so.
“Abstinence is the only surefire way to avoid getting pregnant.” The US government has spent $1.3 billion dollars delivering that very message between 2001-2009. However, president Obama is proposing to eliminate all funding for abstinence only sex education. Instead he is proposing a $178 million dollar program on aimed at preventing teen pregnancy. Congress will have to approve and being such a controversial issue it is hard to say if the bill will pass, but supports are hopeful. There are supports who feel the program proposed should be more school-based, rather than community based, in an effort to extend the education to more individuals. This program could not come at a more pivotal time, teen birth rates are on the rise from a 14 year decline. Also, demand is increasing for assistance provided by Planned Parenthood, and ACESS. These is no better way to sum up the views of this article than this quote released from planned parenthood; “We uphold a positive, holistic vision that aims to empower people in all aspects of sexuality -- including justice and equality issues at the societal level as well as each individual’s ability to celebrate their sexuality with respect, openness and mutuality.” The article includes valuable information on STD statistics as well as varying opinions from people involved in sex education programs. (Melby, Todd, aasect, 2009)
The issue is present in local government as well. “While we all support ‘abstinence only’ and don’t believe that teenagers ought to be engaging in sexual relations of that sort, the fact of the matter is, some do,” Napolitano was quoted as saying at the time. “they need to have complete information for their own health, for their own bodies.” In April, Jan Brewer, whom succeeded Napolitano as Arizona State governor , revised Napolitano’s decision to prevent the Arizona Department of Health Services from accepting federal funding for abstinence only sex education. This article goes on to tell of educators frustrations with abstinence only education not preparing young adults with reality. This is evidence of an issue here and now. (June 2009 Vol. 43, 6 ww.aasect.org)
In addition to conservative views there are the completely irrational liberal views as well. “Recently, Oprah Winfrey drew attention to the subject when her show's resident sexpert, Dr. Laura Berman -- a staunch pleasure proponent -- introduced her audience to the idea of "cradle to grave" sex education. By Grade 2, she said, kids should know the truth about where babies come from. By Grade 5, masturbation, orgasm and the mechanics of sex should be covered, and by Grade 6, kids should know about "safer-sex" options. Perhaps most controversially, Berman told the audience of aghast moms that when their daughters hit 15 or 16, they might want to consider buying them a clitoral vibrator to teach them the joys of exploring their own bodies. The rationale, she says, is that it's an opportunity to boost self-esteem: "You're teaching them about pleasuring themselves and taking the reins of their own sexuality so that they don't ever have to depend on any teenage boy to do it for them." (As outrageous a birthday gift as it may seem, some parents are listening. In recent years, Jensen has started to notice more mothers coming into Good For Her with their daughters, ages 13 to 16, for precisely this purpose.)” (George, Lianne, Maclean’s, 2009, Vol. 122 Issue 35, p50-53, 4p)