Comprehensive sex education is what parents say they want, kids say
they need, and science says works. However, that is not what many of our
teens are getting, according to a recent report by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
A review of teaching materials used in 82 New York public schools shows our youth often receive sex education that is skewed, lacking or factually wrong — hardly comprehensive.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Congress of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, American Medical Association, American Public Health Association, Institute of Medicine, and Society for Adolescent Medicine, among others, are respected professional medical organizations that support comprehensive sex education for youth.
The public champions such teaching, as well. In a December 2011 poll, 77 percent of New York voters surveyed said they favor teaching comprehensive sex education in New York public schools.
Comprehensive sex education gives young people the skills they need to make healthy decisions. It addresses healthy relationships, interpersonal skills, prevention of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, and abstinence. It also teaches kids assertiveness skills and how to resist social/peer pressure.
This is the kind of information our youth need and the kind that myriad professional health care organizations and the public say they should have. The state Department of Education must ensure our youth get the sexual health education they deserve through CSE curricula.
A review of teaching materials used in 82 New York public schools shows our youth often receive sex education that is skewed, lacking or factually wrong — hardly comprehensive.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Congress of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, American Medical Association, American Public Health Association, Institute of Medicine, and Society for Adolescent Medicine, among others, are respected professional medical organizations that support comprehensive sex education for youth.
The public champions such teaching, as well. In a December 2011 poll, 77 percent of New York voters surveyed said they favor teaching comprehensive sex education in New York public schools.
Comprehensive sex education gives young people the skills they need to make healthy decisions. It addresses healthy relationships, interpersonal skills, prevention of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, and abstinence. It also teaches kids assertiveness skills and how to resist social/peer pressure.
This is the kind of information our youth need and the kind that myriad professional health care organizations and the public say they should have. The state Department of Education must ensure our youth get the sexual health education they deserve through CSE curricula.
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