As in any election year, abortion rights are a hot topic, but the real issue lies in inadequate sexual education for high school students. Currently, only 38 states require sex education for high school students, and 17 mandate an “abstinence-only” approach which neglects contraception and provides little information on female anatomy, if not none at all.
Studies show that students receiving abstinence-only education are as likely to become pregnant before 18 as those with no sexual education at all. In contrast, comprehensive sex education (CSE), required in only 5 states, has been proven to reduce teen pregnancies and abortions by teaching all forms of birth control, STD prevention, and healthy relationship dynamics.
We live in a puritanical society that fears the mere mention of sex, but our children deserve better. They will someday grow to be adults, and we should provide them the tools they need before then to be healthy and functioning members of society.
Kiah Hancock, Cedar Hills
