I find it ironic that Southern Lehigh was recently named a 21st century school, considering our sex education consists of pathetic teachings commonplace when SLHS first opened its doors in 1955. Yes, I’m referring to what we’re taught in ninth grade health: that abstinence is the solution to sex, STDs, and pregnancy. That’s like being told the best way to ace your finals is to not study, or that the safest way to skydive is to not go skydiving.

Almost 100 percent of Americans will have sex in their lifetime. Having sex is an entirely natural part of life. Look around. Everyone you see is a result of sex and will probably have sex at least once in their lifetime. Considering this, why do we treat intercourse like it’s some big secret? Why don’t we openly discuss it? Most importantly, why does Southern Lehigh tell us to avoid it when that is obviously unrealistic? This absurd way of thinking is taught to students as a replacement for educating with the truth. Preaching abstinence will only harm students in the long run when they’re faced with unavoidable sexual situations later on in life.

Teaching abstinence is clearly ineffective and counterproductive, considering the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the average age for both males and females to lose their virginity is 17. Along with this, Guttmacher Institute conducted a survey that discovered 70 percent of teens aged 18-19 have had intercourse. These statistics make it clear that abstinence is inconsistent with the activities of modern day teens. Moreover, the statistics show that teens need real sex education. Without these teachings, pregnancies, STDs, and STIs are more likely to be a result of sex.

Instead of avoiding the topic, Southern Lehigh should properly educate students about safe sex. This includes discussing some of the 20 contraceptive methods acknowledged by Planned Parenthood including condoms (both male and female), birth control pills/patches, spermicide, and IUDs. Along with safe sex methods, students should be taught other important information that would otherwise be unknown to them, such as the effectiveness of various birth control methods. This information is necessary for sexually active students to know, and it is the school’s job to properly educate.

While I truly believe our school district’s sex education curriculum is seriously flawed, I cannot single out Southern Lehigh for only teaching abstinence. Guttmacher Institute found that as of 2006, 87 percent of U.S. high schools taught abstinence as the most effective method to avoid pregnancy, HIV, and STDs, while only 65 percent taught about condom efficacy.

Obviously, this lack of sex education is a country wide problem. Southern Lehigh should not fall victim to this ignorant form of education. Students deserve honest teachings and factual education.