Argumentative - Research Paper Example

In today’s world, teenagers should know about contraceptive options so if they choose to have sex, they can at least diminish their chances of pregnancy until the time they are ready to be parents. Abstinence-only programs are constantly being demonstrated to have a detrimental impact upon the lives of healthy teenagers. According to a study by Ceci Connolly (2004), “youngsters taking the [abstinence only] courses frequently receive medically inaccurate or misleading information, often in direct contradiction to the findings of government scientists.

” Misleading or simply incorrect information such as the suggestion that simply touching another person’s genitals can cause pregnancy or that AIDS can be spread via tears and sweat has been found in programs utilized by at least 69 organizations throughout 25 states. Not only do these lies work to psychologically threaten teens for their future years, but these propagandizing techniques also prevents them from obtaining the knowledge that would protect them. (“Knowledge” 2006) Studies that rate the value of abstinence-only programs used in place of programs that emphasize abstinence but also teach contraception have unquestionably demonstrated that contraception should be taught to the country’s teenagers. . Those groups opposed to sex education have forced their will on the bulk of society and its teens and unwanted children who have suffered for it.

Sex education classes in America’s public schools which offer free condoms have been scaled back so as to not upset the vocal minority. Parents want their teens to learn safe sex including the importance of condom use but what is being taught at school falls very short. Parents merely want their kids to understand the potential dangers of intercourse and how to avoid them, just as parent would in any other aspect of their teen’s lives. “Contrary to common wisdom, when it comes to sex education, parents want it all, from abstinence to homosexuality,” said Steve Rabin, senior vice president of the Kaiser Family Foundation (Levine, 2000).

Additionally, parents also want schools to discuss abortion, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and the importance of using condoms. As with the other subjects parents wish to be covered in school, the more knowledge, the better off their kids will be. The study by the Kaiser Foundation surveyed over a thousand high school teens, parents and sex-education teachers in addition to more than 300 school administrators. Unfortunately, these vital aspects of sexual education are greatly lacking in high schools despite parental desires and in opposition to what studies have indicated is in the best interests of teen-aged kids.

(“Sex Education” 2000) According to Ramon Cortines, former chancellor of New York City public schools, “Educators should teach what students need to know, not please the advocates or the politicians who scream the loudest” (Levine, 2000). Still, fundamentalist groups continue to