Sex Education Essay Example
As children reach the seventh grade, state law requires them to receive sex education. Their science or health teacher usually provides this education. Sex education ought to be the responsibility of the parent, not that of the teacher. Sex is too much of a sensitive subject to be left to the school. Parents should teach their children about the concept of sex rather than trained professionals.
One may argue that parents may not be able to handle the great responsibility of sexual education. Parents could be offered workshops by professionals who would teach them how to handle this sensitive subject. The parents can be trained so they understand how to appropriately instruct their own child about sexual education. Such workshops exist, but there are few businesses that offer such classes. Parents can definitely shoulder the responsibility of informing their child about sex if taught a lesson regarding the subject.
Students have also voiced concerns about studying sex education at their schools. Many feel embarrassed learning about such a sensitive topic from their teachers. The large number of students in a classroom makes it impossible for teachers to take an individual's personal circumstances into consideration. A Chicago Tribune article states, "Teachers were not always trusted to maintain confidentiality, and some doubted their impartiality. Teachers were also perceived to be moralistic, to judge students according to different values.” Children may feel uncomfortable sharing details or asking questions with their teachers, making it harder for them to understand sex education. Adolescents should not learn about sex education from their teachers due to the student’s discomfort.
While learning about sex in a public classroom, students of the opposite gender often have little or no sense of modesty. Most schools do not separate classes by gender when discussing sex. As a result, students feel embarrassed or vulnerable while learning with their peers. According to a MinnPost article, “From the students’ feedback, it was clear that many felt embarrassed and uncomfortable in sex-education classes, particularly when members of the opposite sex were in the classroom [...] Young women said they worried about young men attacking their sexual reputations if they spoke out in class.” Students feel self-conscious about learning about sex in a classroom setting. Schools should not teach sexual education to children if they are uncomfortable learning about it with their classmates.
Parents usually serve as most children’s original role models. Families have their own set of morals and values which allow parents to educate their children about sex accordingly. Children can learn free from shame, but at school they risk humiliation at the hands of their teachers or peers. Sex education is something that needs to be taught by the parents of the child rather than the teachers at the school.
