The Unavoidable Dilemma

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Recommended: Benefits of teaching sexual education in schools

Every year 750,000 teenage lives come to a standstill when they become pregnant. Could these unplanned pregnancies among our youth be prevented? Why don’t more schools provide access to information about contraceptives? Statistics show, teens that are aware of the risks of teen pregnancy and have access to birth control are much less likely to experience an unplanned pregnancy. Providing contraceptives and sexual education to high school students can significantly reduce the amount of teen pregnancies. So how can we help these teens educate themselves about the consequences of sexual activity?

Schools need to play a more aggressive role in the sexual education of young men and women. Only 2.2% of America’s high schools have programs in place to assist teens with safe sex. These programs have been proven to increase condom usage among teens. Many schools accompany these condom giveaways with information about abstinence and the risks of unprotected sex. Some schools even have clinics, in which students can acquire contraceptives as well as be tested for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. These in-school clinics are rare but seem to have an effect on teens’ sexual behavior. Schools that do not have these programs available on campus should provide literature about the risks of unprotected sex, counselors to help students who are feeling pressured to have sex, as well as information about the nearest sexual health clinic.

Planned Parenthood Clinics are available in all fifty states as well as several in other countries. These clinics, and others like them, are known for promoting abortions. However, the good that these clinics bring to a community are often overlooked due to this sad fact. It is true that these clinics...

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... If they are going to do it, then help them be smart and safe. Supplying teens with condoms and sexual education can greatly reduce young teens from unplanned parenthood, allowing them to graduate and attend college before settling down. This will pave the way to a bright future for generations to come.

Works Cited

Kirby, Douglas. “Making Condoms Available in Schools.” Western Journal Of Medicine. Pubmed, Mar. 2000. Web. 5 Apr. 2010. .

Kirby DB, and Brown NL. “Condom Availability Programs in U.S. Schools.” Pubmed. National Lib of Medicine, 28 Oct. 2009. Web. 4 Apr. 2010. .

“Teen Pregnancy Rates in the USA.” Editorial. Livestrong. Demand Media Inc., 18 Nov. 2009. Web. 4 Apr. 2010. .

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