Bad sex ed blamed for STD epidemic

by Hanna Scott/KTAR (May 14th, 2009 @ 6:44am)

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Comments:18

Sexually-transmitted diseases are on the rise among teenage girls in Arizona, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

A recent CDC report said one in four Arizona girls between the ages of 14 and 17 have chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis or HPV.

"These aren't simple, little, curable issues, these are real health complications," said Bryan Howard, president of Planned Parenthood Arizona.

Howard said the report provides the first broad data on young women and STDs and demonstrates, "We need to focus more than ever on the prevention message because, clearly, there are too many young women, and men, who aren't aware of how they can protect themselves."

Howard blames much of the problem on a lack of sex education in schools and at home.

"I got better sexual health education in 1976 than the average young person in middle school is likely to get in Arizona today," said Howard.

Most Arizona schools have opted to teach abstinence as the only aspect of sex education, he said.

"There are people who believe that when you give young people information, you give them permission," said Howard, adding that a public outcry causes many schools to try to avoid the issue.

"The fight that goes on in school districts about whether or not to teach our young people how to protect themselves has caused a lot of school districts to get out of the business, so most of our schools today do not teach sex ed in Arizona," he said.

Howard said calls received by Planned Parenthood show how serious the problem is, citing such questions as "I can't get pregnant in swimming pool, right?"

In addition to better sex education in schools, Howard said parents need to become better at teaching their children about sex.

Last 5 Comments

• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Sex ed is very important

  phxjbjb

  Yes, it is the parents resposibility to teach their children about being safe and responsible. Unfortunately, parents don't always do their job when it comes to education. That's why schools have to have good sex ed.

  16952
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  It's about what is exciting and feels good

  trahe

  It's not about education or lack of education, it's about morals. I am close to 50 and have worked with teens who have 2, 3, 10 times or more sexual partners than I have had during my entire life!!! Education is not the most important aspect that causes a reduction in sex, it's morals.

  16894
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Bad Sex-Pay Price

  NamasteUSA

  Who is responsible for teaching their children about SEX? Why are so many young people having sex at such an early age? Every action has consequences. They also need to learn where babies come from and that they are a life commitment and responsibility. Morals, values, and responsibility for actions and behavior should be taught to these kids that are 14 acting like they are 21. Put the responsibility where it belongs.

  16890
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Simple

  Matthew B

  Just tell them not to have sex, that will work right? =) Seriously though. I do believe this is the parents responsibility, at least on the morals side of things... scientifically, pro-creation should be covered in a basic biology class.

  16885
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  BS

  Jgmilly

  As an elementary teacher that has been forced to teach sex ed to a bunch of immature 6th 7th and 8th graders I for one disagree with Sex Ed being a part of the school systems. That is an issue the parents need to be responsible for. What happen to parental responsibility? The kids are not products of school teachings, they are products of their home circumstance. Nothing I do will shape these kids nearly as much as what their parents do. I play a part, yes, but a small part.

  16882
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