Sex Education

There are two main schools of thought behind sex education. The first, Abstinence Only sex education advocates the promotion of abstinence until marriage as the best way to prevent the transmission of STI's and unwanted teen pregnancies (3). The second called Comprehensive sex education supports giving young teens all knowledge required to protect themselves if they choose to have sex(4). Both factions attempt to protect youth in the most effective way possible, yet studies show that although Abstinence programs may help some abstain from sex for a longer period of time, those that do eventually have sex are more likely to abstain from using a condom exposing them to risk from STI's such as Chlamydia (4). On the other hand Abstinence supporters argue that Comprehensive programs encourage sexual debuts at younger ages and may lead to sexual promiscuity (9).

Despite large government funding of Abstinence based education and great efforts on both sides to help protect teens today, STI's are on the rise, especially Chlamydia, which in most cases is asymptomatic (2). Therefore promoting awareness and knowledge of both the benefits of abstinence, and the protection that such methods as condoms can afford is extremely important for protecting youth today. Despite all parents best efforts, children do grow up and will have sex before or after marriage. The best method of protection is giving youth the ability to understand both sides of the debate and make there own decisions based on all the available knowledge.