Empowered Choices Not Fear and Shame: The Need for Comprehensive Sex Education and Accessible Contraception
The ability to make informed personal choices is one of the defining characteristics of good sexual health. Unfortunately, "abstinence-only" education still prevails in many parts of American society. This World Contraception Day, we want to challenge this outdated approach and advocate for comprehensive sex education and accessible contraception!
TL;DR
There is an urgent need for comprehensive sex education over abstinence-only programs. Abstinence only programs typically fail to delay sexual activity among youth and result in more unintended pregnancies and STIs. Lack of accessible contraception, particularly in rural and impoverished communities, is another major flaw in our country’s sexual education system. Information specific to North Carolina’s sex education policies and actionable steps for advocating change are provided at the end of the article.
The Flaws of Abstinence-Only Education
Abstinence-only programs often neglect to provide comprehensive information on contraception and safe sexual practices. Operating under the guise of moral propriety, many programs instill fear and shame around sexual activity. But the numbers speak for themselves: studies have shown that states with abstinence-only programs have higher rates of teen pregnancies and STIs. A report by the Guttmacher Institute found that approximately 45% of U.S. pregnancies are unintended, with the percentage rising in states that predominantly teach abstinence.
The Case for Comprehensive Sex Education
In contrast, comprehensive sex education arms individuals with the information they need to make empowered choices, giving them the choice to be abstinent or engage in safe and healthy sexual behavior. This includes understanding various contraceptive methods, their effectiveness, and proper usage. It also encompasses education on consent, healthy relationships, and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Contraception Accessibility Matters
The benefits of comprehensive sex education can only be fully realized when paired with accessible contraception. This is vital in rural and impoverished communities where there are significant barriers to contraceptive access, such as cost or lack of transportation. These barriers lead to higher rates of unintended pregnancies and STIs.
Education must go hand-in-hand with contraception accessibility.
Choice, Not Shame
Sexual health is a personal issue, influenced by many factors including cultural and religious beliefs and individual preferences. Comprehensive sex education and accessible contraception offer a pathway through this complexity, enabling choices based on knowledge rather than fear and shame.
North Carolina's Mixed Bag of Sex Education Policies
While North Carolina does mandate that schools teach sex education, the guidelines fall short of being comprehensive and inclusive. Topics such as pregnancy prevention, STDs, and HIV are covered, but crucial elements like consent, sexual orientation, and gender identity are glaringly absent. Adding to this, the curriculum mandates that the "benefits of abstinence" be explained, and emphasizes that a "faithful monogamous heterosexual marriage" is the best way to avoid STDs. This narrow scope not only limits the depth of education but also presents a biased view of relationships and sexuality. As a result, young people in North Carolina are receiving a patchwork of information that might leave them unprepared for the complex realities of sexual health and relationships. Therefore, advocating for a more comprehensive approach remains crucial for the well-being of North Carolina's youth.
Conclusion and What We Can Do
This World Contraception Day, we envision a future where everyone has the knowledge and resources they need to make empowered choices about their own bodies.
1. Engage with School Boards: Attend school board meetings to voice your concerns about comprehensive sex education and offer to bring in expert speakers on the subject. School boards have the most direct influence on local curricula.
2. Contact Your Local Representatives: While they may not directly set school curricula, local and state representatives can influence educational policies. Advocate for laws that support comprehensive sex education.
3. Donate to Relevant Organizations: Nonprofit organizations can help provide vital resources and education on sexual health and contraception.