Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

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Wis. must return to comprehensive sex education

In light of the recent repeal of Wisconsin’s Healthy Youth Act, school sex education
has been thrust into the spotlight as a critical controversial issue, as reported by Reuters. According to
NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin
, there are roughly 900,000 teen pregnancies in the
United States each year, and 48 percent of all new sexually transmitted infection (STI)
cases occur among teens and young adults ages 15-24. Based on these staggering
statistics, it is very apparent why this issue has raised public concern.

The rationale of the law’s conservative opponents is clear; in their minds abstinence-focused
education offers a sufficient solution to the moral dilemma posed by teenage
sex. However, society’s approach to
sex education can have far greater implications than the moral ones upon which
these opponents base their argument. The implementation of abstinence-focused
education in schools will likely lead to lack of awareness among young people, and, by extension, elevated teen pregnancy and STI rates – both consequences that will
adversely affect the economy and society at large.

One of the most significant consequences of teen pregnancy is an increase in high
school dropout rates. According to One Wisconsin Now, more than 60 percent of mothers
under the age of 18 never graduate from high school. In addition, young fathers
are also more likely to drop out. In a society in which a high school diploma is often
a fundamental requirement for minimum-wage employment, this poses a serious
problem.

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Young parents forced to drop out will inevitably suffer the consequences
of being undereducated in a competitive economy where advancement is heavily
dependent upon academic credentials. Gone are the days when the acquisition of
a high school diploma offered a guarantee of employment; graduation from high
school has become a basic expectation for success in the work force.

The failure of young parents to complete a high school education is bound to affect
more than just the individuals that drop out. Society and the Wisconsin economy
will suffer as a result of increased teen pregnancy. As shown by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a correlation
between the quality of worker education and higher earnings and lower unemployment rates.
Although seemingly an isolated issue, the high school dropout rate resulting from
teen pregnancy could have a far greater impact if teen pregnancy rates increase as a
result of the repeal of the Healthy Youth Act.

Although teen pregnancy is an adverse result of inadequate sex education, it
is certainly not the only one. STI rates are also disproportionately high among
teens and young people ages 15-24, arguably due to a sex education program
that fails to account for real-life circumstances. In essence, protecting oneself from
STIs can be as simple as knowing how to properly use effective barrier methods,
such as condoms. However, hindering a complete education on sexual health by
implementing abstinence-focused sex education programs is unwise. The
result will likely lead to fewer young people gaining a full awareness of birth control
options and sexual wellness that could lead to immeasurably safer sexual practices.

In terms of social consequences, studies done by groups like Advocates for Youth consistently indicate that abstinence-focused sex education has little effect on sexual behavior in youth. With this in mind, the approach to sex education should
be focused more on educating young people within the confines of their already
existing attitudes rather than attempting to facilitate change where it is unlikely to
occur.

Whether we as a society -our legislators in particular – are willing to accept it
or not, young people are going to engage in sexual behavior. This is an undeniable
reality that we need to accept and learn to respond to effectively. Abstinence-focused education programs fail to address youth sexual health issues in the
confines of this reality. No one is denying that abstinence is the safest approach to
sex, however it is utterly unreasonable to presume that all, or even most young
people will choose this route. It is time for Wisconsin’s legislators to learn to accept
reality. The fact that young people have sex is not changing. What must change,
however, is the return to comprehensive and honest sex education for our youth.

Hannah Sleznikow ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in political science.

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