Argumentative Essay: Sex Education

                For years now, there has been a controversial issue about sex education in the Philippines. Should it be taught in school or should it remain as a family affair? Should they rely on friends and on media for information, and does sex education break their society’s religion-based morality? Although sex education is considered taboo, it is necessary for it to be taught in schools because 1) it promotes safe sex, 2) it limits the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases, and 3) it lessens the high birth rate, most especially in third world countries like the Philippines.

                Sex education will promote safe sex among sexually active individuals. According to Witmer (nd), there are two types of sex education classes. The comprehensive Sexuality Education tackles age appropriate  topics about body image, safe sex, contraceptives, etc. (Witmer, nd). Safe sex means to use measures such as contraceptives, like latex condoms and birth control pills, in order to avoid sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancies when engaging in any sexual activity. The most common type of contraceptive is the latex condom, which is easily accessible in most drug stores. On the other hand, birth control pills is a contraceptive in a form of a tablet. It contains female hormones such as estrogen and progestin that inhibit ovulation. Unlike condoms, birth control pills need prescription due to its various side effects. The second type of sex education is the Abstinence Until Marriage, which emphasizes abstinence from all sexual behaviour. This program does not tackle any information about contraceptives, STDs, etc. (Witmer, nd).

                Sex education limits the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases. If the youth were properly educated about the risks and consequences of sexual behaviour, then these situations would lessen. When safe sex is not practiced, several consequences may arise; one of which is any sort of infection transmitted by sexual intercourse or genital contact. Sexually-transmitted diseases may be curable, although some are more dangerous than others. An example of an STD is herpes, which is a viral disease that causes blisters and eruptions on the skin or on the mucous membrane. A more extreme type of STD is HIV – an infection by the human immunodeficiency virus which causes AIDS or acquired deficiency virus, which is a serious and an often fatal disease. It is transmitted through certain blood products by sexual or genital contact.

                Lastly, sex education lessens the high birth rate in third world countries. As a consequence of the lack of sex education, there exists a high birth rate in the Philippines. High birth rate is often blamed for our country’s desperate poverty (Gutierrez, 2010). It is the root of many problems such as overpopulation and poverty. Overpopulation is the state wherein a large number of people reside on inhabit a certain area that is too small for their quantity. It may lead to the lack of natural resources and more pollution. On the other hand, poverty, which is predominant in the country, is the state of having little, or no money, and a few or no possessions. Sex education would be able to teach family planning, thus making people aware of having the right amount of children. Sex education gives awareness to people about their responsibilities, and also rectifies their wrong notion towards sex.

                In essence, sex education is necessary because the youth will inevitable encounter a situation in life wherein knowledge regarding this matter would be of help. Children cannot rely on media and on friends for information about sex, rather they need to be properly educated about these things in order for them to realize the importance of safe sex, the risks of STDs, and the effects of high birth rate.

Reference List:

1)     1) Gutierrez, J. (2010). Sex education debate heats up in the Philippines. Retrieved August 19, 2010, from http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle

2)      2) Witmer, D. (nd). Sex education in schools. Retrieved August 19, 2010, from http://parentingteens.about.com/

This is the essay I like the least because I wrote about such a typical topic when I could have thought of something better. Also, if someone were to read my essay, I don't think they would have been persuaded by my arguments.