Adolescent Sexuality

Discussion: Adolescent Sexuality
As this weeks Learning Resources indicate, debate on issues related to adolescent sexuality is widespread. While some feel that sex is an inevitable choice for many teens and that they should be educated about safe sex and contraception accordingly, others maintain that teens are not ready for sex and should be educated in abstinence only. Moreover, when and where sex education for teens should take place is also a question on which opinions tend to differ. In this weeks video program, Dr. Sommers-Flanagan maintains that although todays adolescents are exposed to a great deal of information related to sex and sexuality, their education on these matters is, paradoxically, very nave and very incomplete. Whose responsibility is it to make sure that teens truly understand the complexities of sexual relationships, and when should adults begin talking to young people about sex? In this Discussion, you will consider these different perspectives and develop your own opinion on these matters. Reflect on the following:

What are your thoughts on teen sexuality? Is sexual debut/activity a normal part of development for some adolescents? Or should it, at this age, always be considered a risky problem behavior and thus be discouraged?
Do you favor abstinence-only sex education for teens, or do you think comprehensive sex education that includes information about contraception, birth control, STD-prevention, etc. is more appropriate? Why? What evidence supports your view?
In the video program, both Dr. Sommers-Flanagan and the teens from Trapper Creek indicate that parents often hesitate or wait too long to talk to their kids about sex. When do you think adults should start educating young people about sex? Is it solely the parents responsibility, or should school leaders or other professionals who work with adolescents take the initiative?
With these thoughts in mind, follow the instructions below to post your response to this Discussion

By Day 3
Post a description of your perspective on adolescent sexuality, specifically the degree to which you consider it part of development and the degree to which you consider it a problem behavior. In addition, explain your stance on sex education, including if you favor abstinence-only or comprehensive sex education programs for adolescents, and why. Finally, explain when and where you think teens should first start being educated about sexby parents in homes, by teachers in schools, etc. Be sure to use the Learning Resources to support your thinking.

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