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New York, New Jersey and New Hampshire are the only states to tackle all 16 topics on CDC’s list for sex education.
After recently reviewing programs in middle and high schools, CDC wants more sex education. The health authority has revised most sexual education programs and they have reached the conclusion that very few institutions manage to cover important topics.
The Central for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a recent survey across U.S. high schools to see what sex-related topics are usually covered in sex education classes. Results have been surprising. Most schools still teach students that abstinence is the key to a healthy sexual life, whereas too little is actually said on disease and pregnancy prevention – two of the most ardent topics on CDC’s list.
New Jersey has had a 98.1% score for sex education programs taught in their public schools. It appears that all of these schools focus primarily on preventive methods that teenagers could use to maintain their sexual and reproductive health.
The reality is far more worrisome in other U.S. states. Only 8 percent middle schools tell their students where they can get condoms from. In high school the percentage grows to 30, but CDC wants more sex education, considering that this is the age where most students become sexually active.
There have been some positive findings, as well. CDC reports that 88 percent schools talk about monogamy and 92 percent refer to the influence that culture has on our sexual preferences and behaviors. Still, these topics are far too generic for the purpose that CDC has set.
There is an alarming percentage of teenagers that become infected with HIV and other STDs during the high-school period. Yet, very few schools deal with these subjects, according to CDC. The health authority is urging public schools to raise awareness on these issues at an early age, no matter how difficult it may be to start such discussions with teenagers.
Only three states, namely, New York, New Jersey and New Hampshire meet the 16 requirements that CDC imposes for a proper sex education, but there is still room for more. 75 percent of schools address all CDC’s 16 topics, the report indicates.
Parents, too, support sex education in schools. Although most of them agree that parents have to get involved in teenagers’ sex education, professional advice from medical experts is always welcome. This is the only solution to prevent students from contracting STDs or getting pregnant at an early age.
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