Should schools teach about sex?

Pro: Since sexually transmitted diseases are a threat to public health, and since schools are institutions that aim, in part, at building and defending the institutions of society and nurturing the development of individuals, the schools are responsible, in part, for making their students aware of the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases and the avenues by which those diseases are transmitted.

Pro: Those who prepare lessons for students about human reproduction are likely to be better informed in the subject than parents. Therefore teachers are often more likely to be sources of accurate, up-to-date information.

Pro: Many parents are ill-informed or ill-equipped to instruct their children about human reproduction. Many are unmotivated or shy about teaching facts about sex to their youngsters. Teachers can make up for the inadequacies of parents.

Pro: Parents want the service.

Pro: At every level of education, students have to grapple with some of the problems associated with sexuality. Grade school students will likely need to get answers to pressing questions about the fundamentals of reproduction. High school students would benefit by receiving information about avoiding sexually transmitted diseases and maintaining sexual health. At the ages when students are dating, they need to become aware of the possibilities for exploitation and assault; teenagers ought to acquire the social skills that enable them to protect themselves against psychological manipulation and physical attacks, such as date rape. Instructors at various levels in the schools can provide information that is appropriate to the age group they serve.

Con: Parents and not schools ought to give children information regarding sexual conduct. Parents know their children better than teachers know them, so the former are the best judges of the nature and amount of instruction to give and of the times to give it.

Con: Sex education in public schools is unnecessary. People can learn about the facts of life on their own or from family and friends.

Con: Sex should remain a topic to be discussed only in private.

Con: Discussions regarding sexuality make many people uncomfortable.

Reply: Orderly classroom discussions about sex can help students become more at ease with the subject.

Con: Sex education in schools can only teach something about the mechanics of intercourse, the means of birth control, and the transmission of venereal disease; it cannot teach people to incorporate sex in a context of loving, caring personal relationships.

Schools cannot effectively teach values in sexual behavior, because various families hold different values. Some, for example, may oppose sexual activity for unmarried teenagers and regard sex education in the schools as tacit acceptance of that activity. Some may support, while others may oppose, masturbation, contraception, abortion. Teachers cannot tailor their lessons for each student.