Sex Education
Sex education is one of the many contentious issues in modern society. While some parents think it is a relevant topic to include in the curriculum in junior high and high schools, others believe that it should not be considered because it is a sensitive topic. Sex education should be introduced to teenagers immediately after they turn 13 years. This sentiment can be supported by the current rates of teenage pregnancies. There are reports that teenage pregnancies are on the increase, especially in developed nations.
It is also apparent that more teenagers are involved in unsafe sex. This behavior is highlighted by a higher rate of sexually transmitted diseases being reported in health care facilities. It is also apparent that the rate of abortions has increased because of the rising number of teenage girls getting unwanted pregnancies. Sex education should be introduced as early as possible to create awareness on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies.
It is important for teachers to introduce sex education cautiously to adolescents. The topic should cover the risk factors associated with teenagers at every stage of their development. Junior high students should be taught about the risks of engaging in unsafe sex. They should be provided with basic information about sex, and when it is appropriate.
At the high school level, teachers should get into details about sex. The high school level is a high-risk stage where teenagers start experimenting with sex. Teachers must look into teaching about contraceptives and STIs, as well as unplanned pregnancies to high school students. The education system should use a preventative approach to instilling the appropriate values to teenagers by incorporating sex education into the curriculum.
Alcohol and STI Transmission
Alcohol increases the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections for most college and university students. Alcohol is normally served at parties where boys and girls engage in socializing activities that usually lead to coupling up. Parties at colleges and universities are characterized by boys and girls getting too comfortable with each other, and in most cases, they end up having sex.
The main problem with alcohol is that overindulgence leads to irresponsible behavior among the students. Most of the students end up practicing unsafe sex. It is also common for students in college and universities to engage in an unsafe group sex where different STIs are passed to the participants. Alcohol gives the students an excuse to engage in risky sexual behavior. Some students may also have the desire to practice safe sex, but alcohol influences them to forget about condoms.
Students in colleges and universities can reduce the intake of alcohol in potentially sexual situations by limiting the amount of alcohol served at social gatherings within the institutions. There should be peer counselors attending parties to ensure their friends do not overindulge in alcohol. Institutions could also introduce compulsory units covering the risks of alcohol and drug use. Most students use alcohol as an excuse to engage in risky behavior without considering the repercussions of their actions.
Providing the students with clear information about the risks in which alcohol places them would give them something to think about every time they prepare to take some alcohol. It would also be viable to compel the students to avoid alcohol when attending events that potentially have sexual situations. The most crucial thing is to ensure the students are acquainted with pertinent information about the risks associated with alcohol in relation to sexually transmitted diseases.