Have you ever thought about how sex is everywhere these days? Lots of sexual material on the internet, School Lessons, and in hit songs by artists like Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Ariana Grande, and Harry Styles. Also, TV shows and movies with “sex” in the title. But can college students like those at OSU really correctly name their own bodies? You might be surprised by the answer.
School Lessons: Filling in the Blanks
So why do a lot of college students not really know what their bodies are doing? Are their parents to blame, or does the school district’s focus on teaching abstinence make it worse? It turns out that this problem has been around since the 1600s!
School Lessons: The Foundation and the Puritans
Let’s go back to the 1600s, when the Puritans came to America with the goal of building a society based on the Bible. They thought that morals should be upheld in the community and that sex should only happen in heterosexual marriage and mostly for reproduction. You can see how these ideas affected the Moral Purity movement in the 1800s, which led to the sex education systems we have today.
School Lessons: The Matter of Faith
As the United States started to offer sex education programs in the 20th century, church played a big part. Since more than half of Americans say they are Christian, it’s not a surprise that these faith-based views show up in our schools. Politics, like who is President, can affect how much money and what kinds of sex education programs are offered in K–12 schools.
School Lessons: Struggles in Each State
Each U.S. state makes its own sexual education programs, which makes things even more complicated. This variety can lead to misunderstanding and inconsistencies, which makes it hard for students to get a complete and consistent education about sexuality.
The Truth Check
After finishing high school, a lot of them have seen sexuality in the media, and about half of them have already done something sexual. However, not everything they know is correct. This is why thorough sex education is so important.
What the Case for Full Sex Ed: Studies have shown that programs that only focus on abstinence don’t work. Teenagers who promised to stay virgin had the same amount of sexual behavior as teens who didn’t make the promise. Comprehensive sex education programs run by teachers who care and are knowledgeable work best. Not only do these programs talk about risks, they also give kids information about birth control, which gives them the power to make smart choices when the time comes.
Besides the Act
Sexuality in humans is more than just having sex. It includes gender roles, conversation, consent, and other things. Learning about human sexuality can help you in real life by busting myths, avoiding unintended pregnancies, building empathy, and learning how to have healthy relationships.
A Thanks to the Puritans
No matter what religion or views you hold, it is important to know your own body. So, whether you believe in Christianity, Agnosticism, Islam, Judaism, or something else, you can thank the Puritans for setting the stage for how sex is taught in U.S. schools today.
Have a Question?
Do you want to ask the OSU Sexpert something? Using this link and your OSU details, you can ask a question without giving your name.
