The conventional teaching of abstinence isn't realistic: teenagers are having sex and, more and more, there is a need to teach students how to have safe sex, not how to have no sex.

In a day and age where war is knocking at our country's doorstep, where technological boundaries are being broken each and every day, and where fantasy is continuously becoming reality, there is still something on everyone's mind that rises above the rest. This is the idea of sex.

Sex has become the predominant topic on everyone's minds. From children to adults and back down to teens, the concept of sex and having sex is an important factor in everyone's daily lives. However, with this notion of engaging in sexual actions comes an array of questions. Where? With whom? How? When? While these questions filter to people of all ages, there is a certain group of people that have these questions on their mind for a good part of the day. They are, of course, teenagers.

For more than 50 years, teenagers have grown to symbolize a rebellious age group. With another generation of teenagers come the same old adult remarks. "I remember when I was your age..." or "When I was seventeen..." and the always traditional "You think you have it tough? You don't know what it was like!" Some adults can't seem to keep up with the changing tides and the large gap that forms between them and their kids as they grow into teenage-hood.

Kids seem to be growing up quicker nowadays, becoming independent sooner rather than later. With this comes a need for sexuality education and, with most teens becoming sexually active before they graduate from high school, the need for such an education isn't fading. The need is becoming greater and greater, and the conventional teachings of abstinence just aren't realistic anymore. Teenagers are having sex and, more and more, there is a need to teach students how to have safe sex, not how to have no sex.

This issue has sparked quite a debate among not only teenagers but also adults. Parents are asking themselves, "Do I want complete strangers teaching my children the birds and the bees?" The fact of the matter is, as one educator states it, "The school has taken on the roles of the families." While some adults don't like this idea, others do. Many think it is a very valuable resource. One teacher states sexuality education teaches kids "to know all their options."

Ah yes. Options, another ingredient in this sexual concoction. What options should teenagers be taught? Many school curricula tell sexuality education teachers to preach and emphasize abstinence. However, at the same time, these teachers are taught to educate students about what to do if they are sexually active. "We want students to make the healthy choice," states one sexuality education teacher. Whether adults feel it's more important to teach safe sex rather than no sex, there was an overwhelming similarity in responses. "Both." All felt that letting students know their various options was the most important part of sexuality education. One adult feels that schools should preach abstinence but understand reality as well. Teenagers are having sex, and they need to know about safe sex.

Along with safe sex education comes another argument. Should condoms be handed out in schools? Even students have gotten caught up in this very same debate. One student, Mike, says that a reason many students don't engage in sex is because "they might be scared to buy condoms." Reasons like this may hold teens back. However, another female student says that she believes that condoms maybe shouldn't be handed out to students but they should be made available. People like this student, Rachel, believe that if students are having sex, condoms should be available to protect them.

As the years go by, all things change. The high schools change as well as the teachers. Curricula change to fit educator's needs. But how much has sexuality education adapted to fit the changing teenagers? One high school graduate of 1990 feels that it hasn't changed all that much. The one difference that he sees is that both students and teachers are more open now. An older sexuality education teacher agrees. "There is an acceptance that kids are going to be active." However, there have been some changes in the sexuality education program. Teenagers of today are the first generation that has grown up in a world that has always included HIV and AIDS. Not only that, but over the past years, much more knowledge of other STDs. This knowledge is becoming a large part of the sexuality education curriculum.

Sexuality education is a course meant to protect young people. It helps prevent teenage pregnancy and, therefore, helps keep students in school. It has kept students from learning sketchy information from, as one teacher states, "oddball sources." Though parents will argue that they are the ones that should be teaching their sons and daughters about sex, schools have provided a safe and informative learning environment. Teenagers are having sex. That is the reality of the situation. And while abstinence is meant to be preached, more and more it is becoming absolutely necessary to educate young adults on safe sex. If students are sexually active they need to know the answers to many questions that may arise. How can I protect myself? What should I do if something goes wrong? Who can I go to for help? All these questions are answered in sexuality education courses all across the country.

While parents and adults can argue all they want, students, whether they realize it or not, are receiving a large amount of information that can keep them safe, healthy, and that will prepare them for the future. The school years will pass quickly, but we all know one thing. As long as there are sexuality education courses, adults will always be standing on their own soapbox, voicing their opinions about what their children should know and shouldn't know. Adults will always be writing their letters to the school board. Who knows, maybe even school curricula will change to fit the changing youth. And the great debate rages on.