Lesson Eight - Memo

To: Romina Kline
From: Tara Knapp
Date: 10 August, 2009
Subject: Sexual Education in Schools

The question of whether sexual education should be taught in schools is not the controversial issue that is being discussed around America. The issue is to what degree students should learn about and at what age. Children are having sexual intercourse around America. It would be naïve to believe that they are performing nothing other than abstinence. Parents need to stand together and listen to the facts as to why students should be taught, at the minimum, abstinence plus.

The abstinence plus program teaches students that abstinence is the best option but not the only option. Students will learn about condoms and contraception. Many schools in America take sexual education a step further and teach a full detail sexual education course. This is an important subject for children and teenagers to gain detailed knowledge in. The full detail sexual education program teaches that abstinence is not the most important thing. This program focuses on teaching students how to make responsible decisions about sex.

To help persuade parents into speaking out against abstinence only programs I will be writing a research paper displaying all facts about sexual education around America and explaining why teaching more than abstinence is important. I will include statistics of sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy in teens. I am not asking that parents stand behind their teenager having sex. I ask that parents give their teenagers the knowledge necessary for them to make smart and healthy decisions when faced with sexual situations.