Sex education is more than just teaching about sex anatomy. “Sex education is the provision of information about bodily development, sex, sexuality, and relationships,” according to Advocates for Youth. Sex is an immersive topic that should be something continually discussed so that people can be comfortable and knowledgeable about their bodies.
Pepperdine — and the nation as a whole — needs to adopt comprehensive sex education. Comprehensive sex education encompasses what it means to have healthy relationships, consent, sexual exploration and safe sex.
If the sex talk is so integral, why shouldn’t colleges — and subsequently Pepperdine — teach sex education? College is an institution of higher learning, and many students before college miss out on this knowledge during their formative years of middle and high school.
Currently, only “24 states and the District of Columbia require public schools teach sex education (21 of which mandate sex education and HIV education),” according to the National Conference of State Legislature. Moreover, not every state is required to teach it truthfully or accurately. So far, “20 states require that if provided, sex and/or HIV education must be medically, factually or technically accurate.”
This means more than half of the teenagers in the United States are ignorant on sex education, and in some states, they are being taught false information.
We can see the benefits of comprehensive sex education from many European countries. Information compiled by Seeker and the American Association of Sexuality Educators Counselors and Therapists shows that European countries are more open to teen sexuality, sexual understanding and have “fewer than 4 teen births per thousand babies born.”
This is mainly due to their encouragement of sex education. Teens in these countries feel that unprotected sex is shameful instead of feeling guilty about having sex. Furthermore, teens in European countries are open and aware of the varying ways sexuality and gender contribute to healthy sexual experiences, as explained by American Association of Sexuality Educators Counselors and Therapists.
Gay individuals are singled out since schools don’t require non-heterosexual education, and if they do, it may be false. “Only 12 states require discussion of sexual orientation in sex education, and, of those, three require the teaching of inaccurate and negative information,” according to the Center for American Progress.
Sex education is a long process and should begin at a younger age, as explained in “Sex Education: Expand the Conversation to Kindergartners.” However, since that talk is neglected, college campuses need to take the responsibility to make sure future generations of adults are better informed.
Issues of consent, sexual abuse, sexual orientation and of course reproduction can all be talked about in a general education course at Pepperdine. Schools can also be more open to talking about issues of sex on campuses through seminars that are designated for specific groups or individuals, since everyone experiences sex differently.
While Pepperdine holds its own views on sex, this university and the nation need to remember that sex is natural. If people remain uneducated, then future generations will have a disconnect with healthy relationships, intimacy and safe sex.
–––––––––––––––
Email: Anitiz Muonagolu: aj.muonagolu@pepperdine.edu
