The Implications of Limiting Teen Sexual Education In Texas

Sexuality is an important part of growth and development for any child. In a state like Texas, which is known for its conservative laws and policies, how does this restricted access to sexual education affect the health of young people?

Texas state law mandates that schools must teach abstinence-only sexual education. This means that other forms of contraception, such as condoms and birth control, are not included in the curriculum. As a result, students may not be receiving all the information they need to practice safe sex and make informed decisions about their own health.

Limiting teen sexual education in Texas has far-reaching implications on the health of young people. While abstinence can play a part in teaching proper sexual behavior, comprehensive sex ed is necessary to ensure teens have access to accurate information and resources so they can make safe and healthy choices about their bodies. Here we will explore the impact of limited teen sexual education in Texas and discuss potential solutions for improving it.

It’s not that Texas parents aren’t concerned about their kids’ sexual health. In fact, Texas is the only State with a statewide mandate requiring sex education to be taught in schools. As of 2020, the Texas State Board of Education adopted a new curriculum that will expand basic sex education to all students from 2022-23. If you are a parent or student looking for more details on Sexual Education in Texas, you are at the right place; read on to know more about the topic.

I think it’s important to talk about sexual education early on in a child’s life. In fact, it’s the responsibility of parents, teachers, and healthcare providers to talk to children about sex and sexuality as soon as possible. Sexual Education in Texas is committed to serving all students regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation. Their goal is to teach their students the importance of healthy sexuality by providing accurate information regarding human reproduction, sexually transmitted diseases, relationships, and the physical and emotional effects of sex. They believe that abstinence is not the only acceptable means of avoiding unplanned pregnancies and will teach their students to make informed choices when it comes to sex and relationships.

What is Sexual Health Education?

Sexual health education is a broad term that describes classroom-based instruction about sexual health issues in adolescents and adults. It can be taught in a number of ways, and most states require some form of instruction in sexual health education for all children. In Texas, it consists of the following topics:

•  Honest communication
• Reproductive anatomy
• Family planning
• Personal safety
• Consent and sexual assault
• Reproductive system
• Contraception
• Adverse consequences of alcohol and drug use
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Pregnancy and abortion Sexual Health Education in Texas

What is Sexual Education in Texas?

In Texas, sexual health education is taught in grades 5 -12 and to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Sexual education is also a mandatory subject for those wishing to teach in public schools. The curriculum covers topics just as listed above. For grades k-4, the Texas Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC) offers resources such as posters and handouts to help parents talk about sexual health with their children. For students in grades 5-12, the Texas Education Agency ( TEA) also offers supplemental materials which teachers can use to supplement their sex education lessons.

While sexual health education is a required course in Texas public schools unless parents opt out their kids from it, information about contraceptives and other reproductive health topics can be hard to find in our conservative State. However, there are a few free resources available that parents can share with their children. Texas Contraceptive Access Project (TCAP) offers a number of different resources to help parents talk to their children about sexuality and reproductive health. They also offer free regional and national hotlines that can help families obtain contraceptives at affordable prices.

Why is Sexual Education important to be taught?

Sexual education is a topic that can be physically and psychologically, emotionally, and even spiritually very difficult. It’s not always easy to bring it up with our children. But the fact of the matter is it’s necessary for everyone involved to have open and honest communication with our children about their sexual health. I understand some parents don’t feel comfortable with their children going to public school for sex education. In that case, students can turn to their parents, teachers, guidance counselors, or friends for advice on sexuality and relationships. It’s important for children to learn how to deal with issues like sexual consent, how to have healthy relationships, and how to respect other people’s bodies.

Is Sex Education a necessary requirement in Texas Schools?

Absolutely! In fact, there is a lot going on in Texas schools. It’s rapidly changing at this time; for example, in 2016, the State’s health commission voted to make sex education mandatory in public schools starting in the 2018-2019 school year. And then, in 2020, the Texas State Board of Education adopted a new curriculum that will expand basic sex education to all students from 2022-23.

Texas as soon as possible. Texas is a really good place for it. But, the idea of sexual education is not new in Texas; for the record of 2002, it mandated that public schools offer sex education to every young person through middle school every year. Texas, in high schools, it’s up to the school as to how much sex education it wishes to offer. Texas Constitution state, “The Board of Education, shall provide for the maintenance of the public schools of the state and shall impose only such regulations as will promote the efficiency and success of the schools.” And even it’s up to the parents who want and who don’t want to opt their children for sex education accordingly.

Do parents need to be informed if children are offered sex education?

According to State Law, a school needs to inform parents prior to the start of the new academic year about sex education to be offered to their children. And according to the law, the parents need to provide their children with written consent if they want their children to participate in it.

It’s also a good decision and law by the State as parents have the right to decide whether or not their children receive sex education; however, in Tex

of just 6 states requiring parental consent for sex education.

What are the details of school-based sex education in Texas?

Texas provides independent school districts with a template of basic health and safety topics that must be covered for grades 5-12. While the basic topics are the same for every school district, districts are free to opt to cover additional topics if they deem them pertinent. However, it’s important to note that even if a district decides to cover additional topics, it cannot deny access to basic topics such as contraception and STIs. Parents can request to be notified when their child’s school is about to start sex education, and they can also opt their children out of the program if they so wish.

Is Sex Education a necessary requirement in Texas Schools?

What’s the strategy for Sex Education in Texas?

According to the Texas Freedom Network, the study they done in 2016 states as the below percentile for the strategy of sex education in Texas:-

• The Abstinence-only curriculum is taught in 58.3% of Texas public schools.
• The Abstinence-plus curriculum is taught in 16.6% of Texas public schools.
• Almost 25% of Texas public schools don’t teach sex education at all.

What are the Myths revolving around Sex Education in Texas?

Unfortunately, there are myths about sex education in Texas communities. Since sex education is not mandatory in Texas schools, some parents don’t take their children to get educated. They think it’s not necessary. However, the truth is we all need sex education regardless of what society says or how many people think it’s inappropriate. Having sex education as part of our curriculum can really benefit our future as citizens. It equips us with vital knowledge that can help protect us from STIs and unwanted pregnancies that can make us miserable we end up losing our chance of happiness. Here are a few myths with facts that shouldn’t revolve around Texas Sex Education:-

• There’s one Myth that states, Sex education makes kids more likely to have sex, but the fact is that proper sex education is always or say often associated with delay in sexual activities.
• Another myth is that we don’t need school-based sex education, as parents can teach kids everything they need to know, yet the fact is parents should be the first and most important teachers for their children. But just as we get help teaching kids algebra or writing, many parents appreciate help teaching kids about healthy relationships and reproductive health.
• Another myth revolving is if they’re not having sex now, kids don’t need this type of education right now, but the fact is it’s best if youth have information about healthy relationships and pregnancy prevention well before they need it, so they can be prepared. And even if teens aren’t sexually active in high school, knowing basic facts about how their bodies work is just common sense.

End Note

In conclusion, sex education can be a challenging topic to discuss with any kid. However, it’s a necessity for they need to know their reproductive health. And for parents who are not open to their children getting educated about sex, please talk to your kids about it at home because every time you are having a talk, your child will ask questions as to why you aren’t making it clear why you’re not comfortable then this will interfere with their mental health which in result will lead to them feeling bad about themselves later. The bottom line is we need to prepare our kids to be smart and happy citizens, and we need to lead them to a bright and flourishing future with proper knowledge of Sex Education.

References

Sexual Health Education: TxCampaign.org
Sex Education: Wikipedia