Effectiveness+of+Alternative+Styles+of+Sexual+Education

The Effectiveness of Alternative Styles  of Sexual Education Aidan, CJ Bascom, Eric Youncofski, Derek



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I. Description of Problem or Issue
Sex Education is a hot issue in United State social policies. There are two apposing sides to this issue; one side that believes that abstinence-only is the best way to educate teenagers about sex and the other side that believes that comprehensive sex education is the best way. For both the Clinton and G.W. Bush presidencies federal funding given out for sex education had to be used for abstinence-only programs, this changed when President Obama in 2010 put up 114.5 million dollars of federal funding towards science-based sex education, basically proven successful programs. This has shifted federal funding towards comprehensive sex education but federal funding towards abstinence-only education still continues “ sex-ed compromise; for the next five years $75 million will go to evidence-based programs each year and another $50 million will be spent to continue the old abstinence-only grant program” this is in addition to Obama’s previous funding.

II. Research Summary
//CJ Bascom's Contribution:// The question looked into by my research was one of whether or not abstinence-only education is effective within the context of the rate of the spread of STDs among teens. The research suggests that, abstinence-only education is just as effective as a more comprehensive approach, in the context of STDs. Studies suggest that nearly a quarter of teens have one disease, with 10% having more than one, regardless of sexual education. An interesting study highlights a survey done in which 10% of students who claimed sexual inactivity for the past six months has an STD that suggested otherwise. Half of those even took their claim of sexual inactivity to another level by reporting they have abstained from sex their whole lives. This seems to suggest that there is a certain taboo in our culture regarding sex, which some claim to be perpetuated by abstinence-only education. For example, if a student is sitting in health-class that takes this approach, and has already engaged in sex, what use is the class to them? Other than making them feel ashamed, it will have little benefit for them. The research I have done seems to point to a simple truth: That teens are teens, and "abstinence simply isn't a reality," (Steele, A., et al., 2008) and must be taught how to engage in safe sex, instead of to just not have sex at all. A teaching method that is gaining steam seems to meet both the wants of parents (namely, that they do not want their children having sex) and the urges of the teens (this is self-explanatory). This is one that puts emphasis on, "delaying first intercourse, reducing the number of sex partners, reducing the frequency of sex, and increasing condom use,"(Glazer, S., 2004) by teaching the importance of sex with self-respect, and not forbidding sex outright. “The most impressive results came from an after-school program that provides tutoring, counseling and medical services in addition to sexuality education. The program, run by the Children's Aid Society in New York City, delayed the date of first intercourse and reduced pregnancy rates among girls by 50 percent. Participants in the program were also more likely than a comparison group to be vaccinated for hepatitis B, which can be sexually transmitted. But none of the abstinence-only programs Kirby studied produced those kinds of results,”(Glazer, S., 2004). Times are changing, and sex is everywhere now more than ever. Teenagers, as are every other post-pubescent person, are biologically programed to have sexual urges. Instead of burying these urges in shame, which according to my research is no longer effective in today's society, but rather teach that sex is important, should be taken seriously, and safely.

//Derek's Contribution:// The research question I looked into was has there been a noticeable difference in teen pregnancy rates and STD rates in schools that have adopted a comprehensive sexual education program? Looking into this there is a public controversy in whether these programs are effective or not. Studies show that abstinence-only education as a state policy is ineffective in preventing teenage pregnancy and may actually be contributing to the high teenage pregnancy rates in the U.S. Government has funded abstinence-only sex education programs for more than a decade. “The National Institutes of Health, we propose the integration of comprehensive sex and STD education into the biology curriculum in middle and high school science classes and a parallel social studies curriculum that addresses risk-aversion behaviors and planning for the future.”(Stanger-Hall) Some argue that sex education that covers safe sexual practices, such as condom use, sends a mixed message to students and promotes sexual activity. As I continued my research I seem to run into the same answers in which it was clear that schools with that have adopted comprehensive sexual education programs are effective. "Fourteen programs demonstrated a statistically significant delay in the timing of first sex. 13 programs showed statistically significant declines in teen pregnancy, HIV, or other STIs.14 programs helped sexually active youth to increase their use of condoms.9 programs demonstrated success at increasing use of contraception other than condoms.13 programs showed reductions in the number of sex partners and/or increased monogamy among program participants.10 programs helped sexually active youth to reduce the incidence of unprotected sex"( Alford S). With the government funding, people believe this is the right way to go in decreasing these rates.

//Eric's Contribution:// The question that I looked into for my research was how much does religious influences play a role in making a student choose to follow the course of abstinence? In certain areas it happen to play a huge role; in a school in New York children’s parents were opting them out of sex education courses because the teachers were teaching methods of contraception. Religious parents do not want their children learning about what the school curriculum believes to be safe ways to have sex. Priest and churches have become involved in order to keep the practice of abstinence going, “(Phillips, A., 2011). However, 95% of Americans have sex before marriage, and with a rate like that the only option schools have are to teach students methods of safe sex in order to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, “(Filipovic, J., 2012). Although there are still some areas that have a sex education curriculum which consist of teaching abstinence, due to the 14% failure rate of condoms (Friedman, J., 2005). Studies do show children who grow up around both parents who are religious and often bring them to church are more likely to hold off with having sex, much later than most teenagers. Overall Religious influences do have an influence on religious students to follow the course of abstinence, because the easiest way to prevent something is just to avoid it completely. But it is just to unrealistic for teenagers not to have sex and most importantly not everyone is religious; therefore, sex education is continue to be taught through strategies of safe sex in most public high schools.

//Aidan's Contribution:// My research question was how do abstinence-only programs affect the rate of teen pregnancies. My research looked into what abstinence-only did to the teen pregnancy rate as apposed to a more comprehensive approach and what I found was a lack of agreement on weather it caused rates to be higher or lower then if the comprehensive approach was used. Some of the research “concluded that more intensive, multicomponent youth development programs serving high-risk populations showed the most promising results” (Basch, 2011) while others felt that “ most studies take a too-narrow view of what constitutes reliable evidence ” (Clemmitt, 2010). One scholarly source wrote on the city of Milwaukee’s decision to fully embrace the comprehensive education program in a fact-based attempt to lower its rather high pregnancy rates. The city has boasted great early numbers in reducing teen pregnancies and can be used as a model for other cities looking to improve also (Azar, 2012). This seems to suggest that explaining the full context of sex to age appropriate teens allows them to make better decisions in having sex, number of partners and use of contraception. People like Amanda Marcotte believe that states like Texas are trying to punish those who have sex before marriage because they preach religious-based abstinence and require parental permission for contraception (Marcotte, 2012). Marcotte argues that Texas is making sure that if you are to have sex before marriage you should be unprotected from the consequences that could be pregnancy or STD’s. In conclusion the majority of the research I found showed that comprehensive education better equips kids with all the information they need to know involving sex, pregnancy, STD’s, and contraception while teaching abstinence as well allowing them to make better decisions when the time comes to make a decision. My research found that abstinence-only programs affect the rate of teenage pregnancy by stunting its decline instead of teaching a more comprehensive program that yields better results.

IV. Research Questions and Reference Summaries
Do the data suggest that one method of sexual education is more effective than another? choose to follow the course of abstinence? || //Eric Youncofski// || comprehensive sexual education program? || Derek ||
 * || **Research Question** || **Researcher** ||
 * 1. || How do abstinence-only programs effect the rate of teen pregnancies? || //Aidan// ||
 * 2. || How much do religious influences play a role in making a student
 * 3. || Do abstinence-only programs decrease the rate of the spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)? || CJ Bascom ||
 * 4. || Has their been a noticeable difference in teen pregnancy rates and STD rates in schools that have adopted a