Khanna
Failure of Sex Education Around the World
by
Akanksha Khanna
English Writing 112
MW 6:00 PM
Professor Russell Green
Bunker Hill Community College
24 August 2018
Failure of Sex Education Around the World
From experience and research, it is clear that sex education has the potential to improve the sexual health of an individual, his or her community, and of the nation. Sex education is like immunization. It can help to prevent physical, ailment, but Sex education goes further in bettering psychological, marital and social problems related to sexuality. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), current sexual education curricula place heavy emphasis on biological aspects. This is a limited approach. One-sided orientation and the poor quality of sexuality education are often blamed for growing challenges in sexual health, such as increasing pregnancy among teenagers, rising rates of sexually transmitted infections and sexual violence. Helping to improve sexual health, in general, is a major goal of the World Health Organization Guidelines ( “New”). It is foolish, if not responsible, to deny the reality that a growing number of individuals are engaging in sexual activities, and lack of awareness and knowledge about sex education affects their personal life, safety, health, family planning, marriage, finances, and social status.
One argument raised against sex education is that parents, especially from certain and strict backgrounds and cultures are not comfortable regarding sex education in schools, as it is not considered appropriate in their value system. In a New York Times article, Jonathan Zimmerman discusses about this issue, especially about concerned parents from minority groups having a problem with their children having sex education; he also adds by saying, “Minorities like Feras Marish, a Muslim immigrant from Kuwait, who helped to start Parents Against Ontario Sex-Ed Curriculum, told reporters that in his community, sexual relationships outside of marriage are frowned upon, “but now all of a sudden it’s being heavily promoted by schools” (Zimmerman). Chinese- and Filipino-Canadians have signed on to his group’s message: “I preserve my right to raise my children following my cultural and religious beliefs, and the curriculum compromises my rights” (Zimmerman). The author also argues that in the age of globalization, school is the least places for kids to learn about sex and it only helps children “make choices” about their bodies. He also adds, “We do know that adolescents get most of their sexual ideas from mass media — and from one another — rather than from schools”(Zimmerman). But the immigrant parent has to understand that they left their country for a reason and in countries like United States of America and Canada, Sex education in High schools is compulsory and there is nothing they can do about it. It's understandable to get culture shock but changing the system which has been going for over 100 ye...
