E.+Persuasive+Research+Essay

Abstinence vs. Safe Sex Education “In 2009 71% of teens were pregnant” (Ferguson 2). Even though this is quite alarming the teen is rising dramatically. The core of the problem is how children are taught, which goes all the way back to the “birds and the bees”. Birth control or abstinence sex education has been disputed for years, without any real change in teaching. I believe that all teenagers from the age of 12-19 should be taught to use safe sex. With the help of safe sex education, STDS and other infections may decrease. This will also help reduce teen pregnancy. Lastly, safe sex education will help people be smarter about their decisions. Abstinence is the teaching of not having sex until marriage. This teaching is generally taught in private schools, where sex is not talked about. Many parents in these private schools at times don’t even have to sign for their children to take these classes. “Only one of the four state-approved high school student health textbooks uses the word condom, and that book reaches only a small percentage of the Texas market” (Ferguson 2). Which means that most tens are not receiving sex education. “Abstinence-only programs show little education of sustained impact on attitudes and intentions” (Ferguson 2). Most teens after even being taught about abstinence will chose to still have sex. Then the question is presented if how the teenager will protect themselves. If not taught when to use a condom, or when to “say no” the teen will not even know how to handle themselves in this type of situation. Therefore, safe sex should be taught instead of abstinence. “Eighty-eight percent of teens eventually have premarital intercourse” (Fisanick 1). Many teenagers have unprotected sex simply because they have no type of sexual education. When confronted about using a condom or not many teens are left undecided. If not taught how to safely have sexual intercourse more teenagers may carry infections. Which means that safe sex should be taught to teens ahead of time.

In conclusion, I believe that 12-19 year old should be taught safe sex education instead of abstinence. This is the only way to insure that teens are learning the right way to handle themselves. Without the knowledge of a situation it cannot  be handled fully. Leaving the possibility of misjudgment .Therefore with knowledge a teenager will know how to handle themselves when confronted with sex.