Sex Education Sources: Pros and Cons

By: Teeja Hivsbob
Submitted: 2008-04-24 12:59:29
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While it is a common notion that sex education is intended solely for the minors, the truth is that everyone in the family is involved in it whether voluntarily or otherwise.  Proper education on sexuality isn't confined to the classroom either, nor does it end after a one-on-one talk. 

There is a sexual element in many aspects of our daily lives, and most of these come from sources which we are too inured with to even notice the content.  The following are some of these sources, and their benefits and perils are given out as well. 

You'll be surprised at how commonplace these sources are at the outset, but eventually you'll realize that these indicate that something can be done to obtain the positive aspects of each.

The media: this is by far the most influential source on almost everything under the sun, including perceptions on sexuality.  And it's practically everywhere.  There is more explicit content in various aspects of mass media which exceeds the influence of porn stars and adult films. 

The internet, for one thing, is a thriving hub of inexhaustible information; whether it involves extensive biographies and filmographies of porn stars, or the latest in bare-naked fashion, plenty of suggestive sexual elements abound, whether vulgar or subtle. 

Whether it's a 'got milk' billboard with Kate Moss wearing a moustache, or adult-only depictions of the sexual act, the average individual is bombarded with sexual information at home, at work, or on the freeway.

The classroom: fortunately, a good deal of proper sexual education is taught in places where they count the most.  This is especially true for high school classrooms, since teenagers are finally given access to the truth from reliable sources of information (e.g. textbooks and teachers). 

While many public school systems are still squeamish at the inclusion of sex education in the basic curriculum, this serves more to the adolescent's benefit than anyone else.

Personal experience: the more solid foundations of sex education, whether it reeks in misconceptions or is filled with knowledge closer to the truth, is gained from actual experience. 

Teenagers obtain initial experience from experimenting, and with second-hand knowledge from peers; oftentimes, though, these can lead to severe misconceptions on sexuality at an early age. 

For adults, a mature take on sexuality is gained after a distillation of the accumulated experiences thus far, and the reliability of this knowledge depends on the character of the person who possesses it.

The family: this should undoubtedly be the first place where a discussion on sexuality starts.  Children must be taught early on the basics on the birds and the bees, as soon as they are able to understand the simplest of concepts. 

Teenagers need to learn issues on sexuality from the people they trust the most - their parents.  And parents need to stay in touch with their children by keeping the communication lines open, so that the first person their teenagers talk to about sexuality won't be their friends and teachers; their moms and dads are surely more than up to it.

Article source: Expert Articles