Today, sexual education is only required in 29 states in the United States of America. Out of those 29, only 13 require accurate sex ed to be taught. It was only recently that California, one of the more progressive states, started requiring comprehensive sex ed. In 2016, the state passed a law mandating it in all public schools, but is this enough?

Although it is required, each state gets to choose how they present the topic of sex ed and how much information they give to students. While these topics can be uncomfortable to teach, especially when a younger audience can’t fully comprehend the seriousness of it, it is still important to make the information available in case one encounters such topics before the “appropriate” age. 

“Sex ed in my school only talked about the bare minimum, like what a penis and vagina looks like, how to make babies, birth control, condoms, etcetera. I always felt they could’ve elaborated on human sexuality, different kinds of sex, what to do in case of sexual assault, tips and tricks, hookups, and sexuality in general, since it is a spectrum. I felt like my school could’ve really explored it, and made things less ‘taboo’,” said Rogel Noel, a fourth year Psychology major at Sonoma State University.

It is understandable that some fear teaching about sex because they feel it could be more influential in making “bad decisions.” In reality, sex ed actually does more good than harm. Sexual education is a broad term used to describe education for human anatomy, sexual reproduction and other aspects of sexual behavior. It is not just the education of sexual intercourse. Providing students truthful information and giving them a space to feel comfortable asking questions will only help them understand how to make healthier decisions when it comes to sex. 

Sex is inevitable for most. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2017 that, among teen females aged 15-19, 42% reported they were having sex. For teen males, the percentage was 44%. Instead of ignoring what is actually happening, as a society we can  provide students with resources to protect and prepare themselves for situations they will and already are encountering. 

If students aren’t being taught sex ed at home or at school, they are going to find it somewhere else. Through the internet, porn, or even their friends. These places could be teaching them false information or giving them the wrong impressions of sex. Education helps build confidence. That feeling of not being ready, not knowing what to do, or being bad at sex is valid and universal. 

Sexual education isn’t just about what sex is and how to have it. It teaches life skills like safety when it comes to sexually transmitted diseases and infections, how to avoid pregnancy, if necessary, as well as the importance of consent and respecting consent. It shouldn’t be something that gets taught as late as high school or college. Concepts like respecting boundaries, asking before touching as well as where and who to go to if they feel uncomfortable are appropriate to start implementing as young as kindergarten. It doesn’t have to be taught in an explicit way for younger kids, but can definitely be brought up in a way to start the conversation.

Sex is very taboo in the US’ western society, yet it is pretty abused. It is seen in most television and movies, heard in all genres of music, and read in millions of books and magazines. Why are we not teaching our students about safe sex due to fear of pregnancy and the dogma of bad behavior? 

Sex ed should be adequate in schools to ensure studens have the correct information to make decisions. It is unrealistic to control every person’s actions. In a country that takes pride in individual rights, why not acknowledge that humans are driven by their will and morals. Students are already making these decisions themselves when it comes to sex. School’s should be a place for each to come and ask their questions without fear of judgment.