Letter: We need more sex ed in state
Issue date: 1/25/08 Section: Opinion
Editor:
In "Setting an example: Spears goes from 'Zoey 101' to Sex Ed 101" (Jan. 8), Dani Kauerz discusses the need for comprehensive sex education for teenagers.
Kauerz's column comes at a time when there is an urgent need for a public discussion on teenagers and sexuality.
To ensure that the focus of these debates is relevant and realistic, young people should have a voice in this conversation.
Although most parents want to believe their kids are consistently on their best behavior, engaging in abstinence without question and doubt, Utah is far from guiltless in the world of rising teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
According to the Utah Department of Health's Center for Health Data, there were 2,464 births to unmarried mothers ages 15-19 in 2006. Additionally, there were more than 1,660 reported cases of chlamydia for teens between the ages of 15 and 19, and 145 reported cases of gonorrhea for the same age group.
The column does a great job of discussing the need for adults to ensure that children have access to valid, factual information about sex education rather than relying on the myths produced by friends and the media.
Kauerz brings to light the dire need for more wide-ranging sex education in schools in order to help prevent many of the unfortunate consequences of a seemingly ineffective abstinence-only policy.
Although many are lucky enough to gain the basic facts about safe sex practices through personal interactions in schools and personal desires to seek out information, too many students find themselves lost in the confusing world of condoms, STIs and the pill.
Fortunately, Kauerz is not alone in recognizing these needs.
Teen Lobby Day on Feb. 18, at the Utah State Capitol Building, offers a great opportunity for students to gain valuable political experience and participate in the democratic process by speaking about an issue that concerns them.
Teenagers can travel to the state capitol and share stories with legislators about how Utah's silence around issues of sexuality affects them, their schools, their family and their friends.
The topics may be as wide-ranging as sexual orientation, teen pregnancy and adoption, and will hopefully provide our lawmakers with a better understanding of this complex issue.
For more information on Teen Lobby Day, contact Joey Richards at 801-524-1710.
Jasna Filipovic,
Senior in the Economics and Gender Studies Departments
In "Setting an example: Spears goes from 'Zoey 101' to Sex Ed 101" (Jan. 8), Dani Kauerz discusses the need for comprehensive sex education for teenagers.
Kauerz's column comes at a time when there is an urgent need for a public discussion on teenagers and sexuality.
To ensure that the focus of these debates is relevant and realistic, young people should have a voice in this conversation.
Although most parents want to believe their kids are consistently on their best behavior, engaging in abstinence without question and doubt, Utah is far from guiltless in the world of rising teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
According to the Utah Department of Health's Center for Health Data, there were 2,464 births to unmarried mothers ages 15-19 in 2006. Additionally, there were more than 1,660 reported cases of chlamydia for teens between the ages of 15 and 19, and 145 reported cases of gonorrhea for the same age group.
The column does a great job of discussing the need for adults to ensure that children have access to valid, factual information about sex education rather than relying on the myths produced by friends and the media.
Kauerz brings to light the dire need for more wide-ranging sex education in schools in order to help prevent many of the unfortunate consequences of a seemingly ineffective abstinence-only policy.
Although many are lucky enough to gain the basic facts about safe sex practices through personal interactions in schools and personal desires to seek out information, too many students find themselves lost in the confusing world of condoms, STIs and the pill.
Fortunately, Kauerz is not alone in recognizing these needs.
Teen Lobby Day on Feb. 18, at the Utah State Capitol Building, offers a great opportunity for students to gain valuable political experience and participate in the democratic process by speaking about an issue that concerns them.
Teenagers can travel to the state capitol and share stories with legislators about how Utah's silence around issues of sexuality affects them, their schools, their family and their friends.
The topics may be as wide-ranging as sexual orientation, teen pregnancy and adoption, and will hopefully provide our lawmakers with a better understanding of this complex issue.
For more information on Teen Lobby Day, contact Joey Richards at 801-524-1710.
Jasna Filipovic,
Senior in the Economics and Gender Studies Departments
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