Sex. Sex. Sex.

We are constantly bombarded with provocative images and yet are deprived from learning anything about health education pertaining to sex.

Knowledge of our body is constantly censored. Censorship on mentioning premarital sex or being hush-hush about the topic of such obscene subjects. We are drilled with the idea that abstinence is the only acceptable way.

The sad thing is this kind of teaching has kept us from learning about our bodies. Topics discussing different contraceptives and the possible risks of being sexually active will not turn us into sex-crazed maniacs. Being exposed to these topics allow students to become more aware and have them think about their decisions.

Even though Texas ranks third in the country for HIV infection rate, in April the GOP lawmakers voted on cutting $3 million from the HIV/STI screening program’s funding and transfer the funds to abstinence education. The following month, a chlamydia outbreak occurred at Crane High School, which happens to offer an abstinence-only sex education program.

According to Think Progress, teen pregnancy rates are highest in states with abstinence-only programs, which can explain why Texas ranked fifth in 2011 for highest teen pregnancies by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Offering sex-ed programs that stray from the abstinence focus will help students get an insight about being sexually active.

Aside from lacking an accurate and developmentally appropriate sex education is the lack of time we focus on same-sex relationships. During adolescence, students begin to learn about their sexuality, so it’s important to give them a positive experience learning about themselves as well.  

Being provided with medically-accurate information about our bodies will make students feel less uncomfortable and keep them from silencing themselves for fear of embarrassment. We have to stop being attacked with the idea that abstinence is the only way because it’s hindering students from asking questions and feeling comfortable in their skin. Learning about contraceptives, medical check-ups and sexual identity will not change students’ values. They will just enforce those values and future healthy relationships.

Progress in sex ed in public schools is possible. According to Texas Freedom Network, in 2004 Texas adopted textbooks that did not include medically accurate information about sexually transmitted diseases or contraception. It wasn’t until 2010-2011 when schools began to offer medically accurate information in their textbooks and about 25 percent of Texan schools strayed from the abstinence approach. As a state, we have to realize that sex ed classes are important for our well being. Being taught in school about sexuality will have a more positive outcome than being left to the messages media throws at us. The information we are given in sex ed will determine our decision making for future healthy relationships – we will be able to make well-informed, responsible decisions about our bodies.