She asks why education on this subject is needed and if will help or hurt today’s children. Her view of the issue is that kids do need to have education to help to protect them but that it isn’t enough to prevent them from receiving STD’s and becoming pregnant. “Knowledge alone is not enough to change behaviors.” DeCarlo also says that, “Programs that rely mainly on conveying information about sex or moral precepts-how the body’s sexual system functions, what teens should and shouldn’t do-have failed. However, programs that focus on helping teenagers to change their behavior-using role playing, games, and exercises that strengthen social skills-have shown signs of success.” On the other hand some believe that sex education is necessary but that it should be taught using only terms and definitions (Hedgepeth 1). Some fear that it means teaching them how to have sex if it is not taught using on vocabulary (Hedgepeth 7). I think that because of the importance of sex education people are more likely to stress over the issues about it. Parents want to be sure that what is being taught is appropriate and meaningful to the students. That brings me to the next major question asked about sex education: what type of material should be covered and who decides what is right and what is wrong. It is very obvious that 30 or even 40 years ago, there was a different opinion on what should be taught to the children of that age and of generations to come (Pruit, Song 1). With the ever changing statistics in teen pregnancy and higher rates of STD’s among children, the topic is brought up that more should be taught on prevention rather than on what is right or wrong, more or less the values being taught. The most crucial part of sex education is good and effective communication. We all know that when it comes to talking about sex education teachers and students become very anxious and embarr...
