Peer Temptation and Social Pressure

 As teenagers mature, they begin to physically and emotionally explore their sexuality. 

It is important for teachers to study strategies that improve the safety of all students. 

There is an ongoing debate as to the curriculum guidelines for sex education and/or family life education in the United States of America. These types of program recognize the central role parents play in their children's education. Most programs require a parent signature for their children to participate. 

More federal dollars are appropriated to abstinence-only programs. Decisions as to what should be included in the curriculum is localized and most often decided by a combination of parent advocacy groups, school boards, and the local school district (McNergney & McNergney, 2004). 

Teenagers associate sex with the freedom and sophistication of being an adult (Johnson, Musical Hall, Gollnick, & Dupuis, 2005). They get mixed messages from their peers, parents, religious representatives, and the media. One minute sex is glamorous and the next, it is sinful. Girls link sex with acceptance and being loved, while the boys link it ti status and power (Johnson et al.). 

Good News! Statistics indicate that fewer teens are choosing to have sex early and those that do are being more responsible.

Poverty is also a factor in teenage pregnancy. Approximately 83% of teen mothers are from the poverty level socio-economically (Johnson et al.).

However, teens seem to be more responsible about their sexual lives. School programs and health clinics that offer counseling and services can be given credit for this shift. 

According to Webb, "sexual orientation is an enduring emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectional attraction toward another human being" (Webb et al, 2007, p. 265). 

Teenagers are faced with many important decisions regarding their sexuality as they mature into young adults. Sex education and family life education can help teens be informed and make better personal decisions for their future.

Several parents and educators believe that teaching abstinence to teenage students is the best approach to teaching sexual education. Is teaching abstinence the best method of sex education for teenagers? Why or why not? Share your answer from a moral and academic point of view 😃

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