opinion
Let’s Talk about Sex (Ed)
Texas, SBISD sex education must prepare modern
By Sarah Chirapurath, Co-Editor-In-Chief and Meah Matherne, Business Manager/Reporter
IT’S SENIOR YEAR and we have never
received a comprehensive sex education course. A legislative vote on Nov. 20 changed this and the future of sex education in the state of Texas. Before the Nov. 20 legislation vote, any school teaching sex education was required to teach an abstinence only curriculum, teliing students to simply not have sexual relationships. Health teachers were also not required to include medically accurate information about methods of birth control. Now, the new policy allows for teaching of birth control methods beyond abstinence. This is a huge step forward in sex and health education. While the new legislation is a huge leap in the right direction, this change leaves something to be desired: a sex and health education course is still not required for graduation from middle school and high school. Some may argue that it is not the job of schools to teach information on a topic as sensitive as sexuality and reproductive health, is to educate and prepare students for their future sexual health be a part of that job? Technological expansion over the last 10 years has allowed for greater access to explicit information and images than ever before. Because of this, teens are exposed to sexual content at a younger age and must develop sexual awareness in response. If a parent is waiting until eighth grade or high school to sit down and have “The Talk” with their kid, it is already too late: they are already most likely aware of the gist of the birds and the bees. Frankly, a shocking number of teens who are 18 and have never had a discussion about sex with their parents. Requiring sex
Photo by Kate Rotan
or unwillingness to discuss sex from being the reason teens enter the adult world under- or ill-informed. In order for sex education to be truly encompassing, it also has to be taught to a majority of people in order to change perceptions of information surrounding sex and sexual health. Loose rules and requirements for sex
Frankly, a shocking number of teens have never had a discussion about sex.
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teach their kids themselves, but allowing
period” and “pulling out is
control.” If the majority of the sexually active public knows basic, factual information about the human body and contraceptives, these untruths can be put to rest. This would also lead to a decline in unplanned pregnancies and STDs due to an increase in correct use of contraception. The new state policy also does not require curriculum to include information about sexual orientation and gender identity. This is incredibly damaging to the LGBTQ+ community. Similar to relying on parents to give their children sex education, a sex education course that leaves out LGBTQ+ issues can lead to a gap in understanding of sexual health for LGBTQ+
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students, further increasing their alreadyhigh risk for getting an STD or experiencing sexual violence. It is comendable that Texas now allows for education besides abstinence, but sex all types and all aspects of sex. mix of hormones, decisions, emotions and timing, so it is also necessary that teen sex education include information about the emotional side of romantic and sexual relationships. Topics such as “am I ready to have sex?” and “do I want to trust this person sexually?” need to be addressed, along with information about how to navigate dating The new guidelines are a step in the right direction, and a win for all those who have been advocating for comprehensive sex ed in Texas. It took 23 years for the policy to change, but hopefully, it takes less time for truly comprehensive courses to be the expectation and requirement in the state. It is education, even if it is sex education, that brings about change and makes lasting impact in the way society functions. This growth in education might not be comfortable everyone, abd there will most certianly be people who are upset about this seemingly reasonable policy change. But there are going to be far more who will beneift from this legislation, namely the 5.5 million public school students who will step into the future better equipped to deal with an integral part of their adult lives.
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