Condom

Durex is a brand of condoms under the United Kingdom Company SSL International. With Durex’s creed of Durability, Reliability, and Excellence, the company has become the number 1 condom brand in the world. With investments in marketing and innovation, Durex is recognized as a premium brand of condoms. The company has prided itself in the innovation of the condom market. Durex introduced the first modern lubricated condom in 1957, the first anatomically shaped condom in 1969, and in 1974 produced the first spermicidally lubricated condom.

They have continued their innovative strategy in the creation of non-latex condoms in the form of the Durex AVANTI (Fox, 1995). The range of products that Durex now holds includes over 11 varieties of condoms, along with other products such as lubricants and vibrators. Durex supports the awareness of safe sex and sexually related diseases by the development of different scholastic programs. Examples of this are resource packs for schools, healthcare sponsorships, and campaigns and newsletters advocating safe sex and AIDS awareness.

The firm has also been working with several humanitarian organizations such as UNAIDS, WHO, UNICEF, and Red Cross. Durex has been supporting government public campaigns to ensure the success and effectiveness in reducing STIs and unplanned pregnancies (The Economist, 1999). One of the greatest strength of the company lies in brand longevity and loyalty. Durex has been able to establish their brand name firmly in the market, which gives them a significant advantage. Consumers are not willing to risk buying a relatively unpopular brand, given the risks involved, and will stick to known brands of condoms. However, with the growing popularity of other methods of birth control Durex has to act to make sure that they remain a competitive force in the market.

2. Worldwide, Durex condom sales account for nearly 30 percent of the total sales. One of the leading providers of condoms, Durex is sold in over 150 countries worldwide and is the market leader of condoms in nearly 40 countries (DoubleClick, 2005). The company has controlled the condom market in Britain and England before they decided to go global. Though other condom brands were present they did not pose any significant threat, and Durex was able to hold around 50 percent of the condom market in Europe. In the early 1990’s Durex had an 80% market share in Britain and 45% with their European brands (Newland, 1998). Durex’s success in different countries can be attributed to their aggressive foray into the international market with widespread advertising in 1994. Earnings increased by 15 percent annually, and worldwide condom sales increased by 3 percent.

European shares grew to 50% of the market, and similar figures are present in Asian countries (Newland, 1998). Durex continues to maintain their dominance in these regions, with ongoing plans for multiple expansions. Eastern Europe has been a target of Durex – with the purchase of several units in Russia the company is planning to raise stakes to 50%. Durex will also open a new factory in China, with the capability to produce over a billion condoms annually (Lundgren & Mustoe, 2009). The only region that Durex has failed to dominate is the United States.

Only holding 20% of the market share in that region, Durex faces tough competition from the leading American condom brand, Trojan. Trojan accounts for 70% of condom sales in the U. S. , nearly four times as large as Durex (Koerner, 2006). Durex has instead focused on other regions because of the immense difficulty in penetrating the existing market base that Trojan has in the United States.

Bibliography

1. DoubleClick. (2005). Durex Condoms Leverages DART® for Advertisers for First Online Campaign.
2. DoubleClick Inc. Fox, H. L. (1995). Durex Stretches Its Brief. Marketing , 14.
3. Koerner, B. (2006, September 29). The Other Trojan War: What’s the best selling condom in America. Retrieved May 2009, from Slate: http://www. slate. com/id/2150552/
4. Lundgren, K. , ; Mustoe, H. (2009, March 9). Condom Sales in Eastern Europe to Bolster Durex Maker. Retrieved May 2009, from Bloomberg: http://www. bloomberg. com/apps/news? pid=20601085;sid=alzlSKQch0c8;refer=europe
5. Newland, F. (1998). How Durex’s Strength Keeps Entrants at Bay. Marketing Week , 20. The Economist. (1999). Go Forth and Don’t Multiply. 62.

Based on what the researcher’s have read premarital sex is sexual intercourse engaged in by persons who are unmarried. It is generally used in reference to individuals who are presumed not yet of marriageable age, or between adults who will presumably marry eventually, but who are engaging in sexual activity prior to marriage. (http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Premarital_sex) Family Orientation Regarding Sex Create Time to Talk Driving a teen to soccer or to meet her friends at the mall may seem like just another chore, unless you recognize it as an opportunity to talk. Of course, you may have to get the conversation going.

Try telling your child a little about your day or inquiring about her friends, before asking her how things are going. If you aren’t available to chauffeur, try to make a “date” on a regular basis to do something you both enjoy together, like cooking, hiking, or going to a concert or museum. Once you’re accustomed to time alone together and have created a comfortable level of sharing, try approaching a touchy subject. Do Your Research “Before I discuss topics like sex or drugs with my son,” one father says, “I do a little homework. Often it’s as simple as checking the phone book for hotlines or asking my doctor to recommend some pamphlets.

If my son is not willing to discuss a touchy subject, I can still give him a number to call or an article to read. And, of course, I tell him I’m always available if he needs my help. ” Avoid Confrontations Don’t mount a personal attack, deliver a sermon, or convene a family conference to open a dialogue on a tough subject. No matter how serious the subject, it’s important not to be heavy-handed or focus exclusively on your child. Say you’ve read an article or heard about a troubling situation from a colleague or a friend. Share this information with your teenager; then ask her opinion rather than offering yours.

Suppose you’re discussing AIDS, and you mention that many people feel “It can’t happen to me. ” Has your child heard similar opinions? Do her friends discuss AIDS among themselves? What are some strategies to stay safe? When a teen feels that the two of you are exploring a subject together, she’s likely to share her own thoughts. (http://life. familyeducation. com/parenting/teen/29706. html) Children and teenagers who are exposed to sex through the media are more likely to engage in sexual activity than those who are not, according to new research.

A study by an American team has found a direct relationship between the amount of sexual content children see and their level of sexual activity or their intentions to have sex in the future. The survey published in the Journal of Adolescent Health and online, claims that film, television, music and magazines may act as a kind of “sexual super peer” for teenagers seeking information about sex. It also suggests that the media have at least as great an influence on sexual behaviour as religion or a child’s relationship with their parents and peers.

More than 1,000 American children between the ages of 12 and 15 were asked to list the kinds of media they were exposed to regularly. They also answered questions about their health and levels of sexual activity, including whether they went on dates, kissed, had oral sex or full sex. Researchers then examined the sexual content of 264 items on the list, which included teen magazines, teen movies and TV programmes. They looked for examples of romantic relationships, nudity, sexual innuendo, touching, kissing, puberty and sexual intercourse. The study found that films, TV programmes, music and magazines usually portrayed sex as “risk-free”.

Sex was usually between unmarried couples and examples of using condoms or other contraception were “extremely rare”. The study concluded: “The strong relationship between media and adolescents’ sexual expression may be due to the media’s role as an important source of sexual socialisation for teenagers. “Adolescence is a developmental period that is characterised by intense information-seeking, especially about adult roles and, given the lack of information about sexuality readily available to teens, adolescents may turn to the media for information about sexual norms. ” The average age of the children was 13. years, with about a third thought to come from poorer backgrounds. (http://www. guardian. co. uk/media/2006/mar/22/pressandpublishing. broadcasting) Because of peer pressure, kids may experiment with hair, make-up and clothes or they may disrespect those in authority, such as teachers and parents. That’s bad enough. But peer pressure doesn’t stop there. If they receive positive affirmation from their peers that they don’t receive at home, the pressure to commit criminal acts, experiment with drugs or alcohol or engage in risky sexual behavior may be too great to withstand. http://www. troubledwith. com/parentingteens/PeerPressure. cfm) THESE ARE FACTORS TO CONSIDER THAT INFLUENCE THE PERFORMANCE OF PREMARITAL SEX: Inner drives. Normal adolescents — even yours — have sexual interests and feelings. They also deeply need love and affirmation. As a result, they can become emotionally and sexually attracted to others around them and drawn toward physical intimacy. Seductive messages.

Virtually all popular media (movies, TV, videos, music, the Internet) as well as educational, healthcare and governmental organizations have been influenced by the sexual revolution. As a result, unless they live in complete isolation, adolescents are regularly exposed to sexually provocative material that expresses immoral viewpoints, fires up sexual desires and wears down resistance to physical intimacy. Even in the “safe” confines of the classroom, a teenager’s natural modesty may be dismantled during explicit presentations about sexual matters in mixed company.

Lack of supervision. Because of fragmented families, complex parental work schedules, easier access to transportation and at times, carelessness among adults who should know better, adolescents today are more likely to find opportunities to be alone together for long stretches of time. In such circumstances, nature is likely to take its course, even when a commitment has been made to wait until the wedding night for sex. 1. Peer pressure. This ever-present influence comes in three powerful forms: 4. 1. A general sense that “everyone is doing it except me. ” 4. 2.

Personal comments from friends and acquaintances — including disparaging remarks like “Hey, check out Jason, the last American virgin! ” 2. Overbearing, overprotective supervision. Adolescents who are smothered in a controlling, micromanaging, suspicious environment are strong candidates for rebellion once the opportunity arises. Ironically, a big (and dangerous) rebellion may represent an effort to break loose from an overabundance of trivial constraints. Parents can set appropriate boundaries while still entrusting adolescents with increasing responsibility to manage themselves and their sexuality. . Lack of reasons (and desire) to wait. The majority of teenagers keep an informal mental tally of reasons for and against premarital sex. Inner longings and external pressure pull them toward it, while standards taught at home and church, medical warnings and commonsense restraints put on the brakes. (http://www. troubledwith. com/ParentingTeens/A000000537. cfm? topic=parenting%20teens:%20sexual%20activity) Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the foremost Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) everyone is quite aware of, which is spread by the HIV (virus).

It isn’t a pleasant sight to watch someone die of AIDS. Most of the world’s AIDS patients die alone. Those who willingly have unsafe sexual practices including sex before marriage, run a greater risk of contacting the disease. Besides the horrible physical symptoms of AIDS, it also causes much pain, degradation, anger, and depression. STDs are present without symptoms until the disease is far advanced. Treatment becomes difficult in diagnosis and control, because partners must be listed with the medical community to be alerted of the STDs that are being transmitted by sexual partners.

A short list of STDs is gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, genital warts, trichomoniasis, and urethritis (usually caused by Chlamydia), which poses serious problems in the system of the kidneys. Lack of control of STDs leads thousands of women to develop secondary infections in the pelvic region, which in turn causes a high percentage rate of infertility. Should a woman become pregnant, she will pass the disease or blindness caused by the disease on to her baby. Young people can help prevent the spread of these debilitating, incurable, and sometimes fatal diseases by saving themselves for their spouse in marriage.

These diseases can be transmitted by sexual activities currently believed to be safe, such as oral/anal sex or clitoral stimulation. These diseases have a higher rate of infection than AIDS. Rarely does a premarital sexual relationship stay together long enough to make it to marriage vows. People engaging in this activity will experience the heart rending emotional upset that comes with breaking up. And when people experience multiple breakups, it numbs them to a marriage commitment of “until death do us part. They have conditioned themselves to run, instead of working out the problems that arises within marriages. Divorce statistics are higher when the couple engaged in premarital sex or lived together before deciding to marry. The teenage years constitute a normal rise and fall of emotional hormones. Adding sexual activity to their curriculum compounds this process of becoming fully adjusted young adults with properly balanced emotions, physique, and spirituality. Peer pressure to have sex before marriage creates a need to make decisions pertaining to problem solving.

Statistic rates are high in being emotionally/physically/sexually abused within their premarital sex relationships. (http://www. allaboutworldview. org/sex-before-marriage-faq. htm) Abstinence is the only way to avoid the sexual transmission of AIDS. HIV is spread in two main ways: through unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person, or through sharing drug needles with an infected person. Women infected with HIV can pass the virus to their babies during pregnancy or birth or through breast milk. Latex condoms have been shown to prevent HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Personal items such as razors and toothbrushes also may be blood-contaminated, and shouldn’t be shared. It’s important to know that HIV is not passed by everyday social contact. Touching, hugging, and shaking hands with an infected person is safe. It’s a myth that you can get HIV by donating blood. A new needle is used for every donor, and you do not come into contact with anyone else’s blood. Donated blood is now always screened for HIV, so the risk of getting it from a blood transfusion in the U. S. is extremely low. Kissing an infected person on the cheek or with dry lips is not a known risk.

No cases of AIDS or of HIV infection due to kissing have ever been reported. ( http://life. familyeducation. com/sex/safety/36496. html) The Bible does not approve of any sexual relations outside marriage. “This is what God wills, . . . that you abstain from fornication; . . . that no one go to the point of harming and encroach upon the rights of” another. —1 Thessalonians 4:3-6. “Every other sin that a man may commit is outside his body, but he that practices fornication is sinning against his own body. ”—1 Corinthians 6:18. ‘IF you love each other, is it all right?

Or should you wait until you’re married? ’ ‘I’m still a virgin. Is there something wrong with me? ’ Questions like these abound among youths. The Bible, however, warned that pleasures enjoyed today can cause pain tomorrow. “For as a honeycomb the lips of a strange woman keep dripping, and her palate is smoother than oil,” observed Solomon. “But,” he continued, “the aftereffect from her is as bitter as wormwood; it is as sharp as a two-edged sword. ”—Proverbs 5:3, 4. One possible aftereffect is the contracting of a sexually transmitted disease.

Imagine the heartache if years later one learned that a sexual experience has caused irreversible damage, perhaps infertility or a serious health problem! As Proverbs 5:11 warns: “You have to groan in your future when your flesh and your organism come to an end. ” Premarital sex also leads to illegitimacy (see pages 184-5), abortion, and premature marriage—each with its painful consequences. Yes, one engaging in premarital sex truly ‘sins against his or her own body. ’—1 Corinthians 6:18. Recognizing such dangers, According to Dr.

Richard Lee wrote in the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine: “We boast to our young people about our great breakthroughs in preventing pregnancy and treating venereal disease disregarding the most reliable and specific, the least expensive and toxic, preventative of both gestational and venereal distress—the ancient, honorable, and even healthy state of virginity. ” Some youths feel no guilt whatsoever about having relations, and so they go all out for sensual gratification, seeking sex with a variety of partners. Researcher Robert Sorensen, in his study of teenage sexuality, observed that such youths pay a price for their promiscuity.

Writes Sorensen: “In our personal interviews, many (promiscuous youths) reveal that they believe they are functioning with little purpose and self-contentment. ” Forty-six percent of these agreed with the statement, “The way I’m living right now, most of my abilities are going to waste. ” Sorensen further found that these promiscuous youths reported low “self-confidence and self-esteem. ” It is just as Proverbs 5:9 says: Those engaging in immorality “give to others (their) dignity. ” (http://answers. yahoo. com/question/index? qid=20090111014354AAGzwO1)

The study analyzed the interrelationship of premarital sex (PMS) incidence, socialization and urbanization in the Philippine setting. It specifically aimed to examine how the level of urbanization affected the socialization experiences of young Filipino adults and how these socialization experiences in turn impact on their engagement to PMS. According on what we have read, this study was a secondary analysis of the Young Adult FertilitySurvey (YAFS II) which was undertaken in 1994. A total of 10,879 Filipino males and females aged 15-24 at the time of the survey served as respondents.

To operationalize the level of urbanization, the respondents were regrouped into three categories namely: metro cities, urban cities and municipalities and rural barangays accounting for high, moderate and low levels of urbanization, respectively. This variable only applied to the residential characteristics of the respondents during the time of the survey. Results showed that young adults from metro cities were generally more liberal in outlook and actually engaged in early sexual relations more than their counterparts from less urbanized areas.

The socialization experiences of the respondents differed according to level of urbanization. The socialization process of the adolescents from highly urbanized area was characterized by high incidence of family disorganization, low level of family religiosity, high level of parental control and high exposure to all forms of media. The peer, more than any other socialization agents, prominently registered the strongest impact on the values, norms, and practices of the young regardless of level of urbanization.

The family, the church and mass media were also influential in shaping the values and attitude of the young adults from urban cities and municipalities and rural areas. Regression analysis showed that adolescents with liberal attitude, involved in high-risk behavior and went out to date, are at higher risk to PMS. The socializing agents that significantly impacts on the PMS involvement of the respondents, in order of importance, were the peer group, the family and the church. Among these, however, association with a sexually experienced friend prominently figured out as the strongest risk factor to PMS.

Its impact became more important as familial control over the young weakens. (http://serp-p. pids. gov. ph/details. php3? tid=3941) Family planning is the planning of when to have children, and the use of birth control and other techniques to implement such plans. Other techniques commonly used include sexuality education, prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections, pre-conception counseling and management, and infertility management. Family planning is sometimes used as a synonym for the use of birth control, though it often includes more.

It is most usually applied to a female-male couple who wish to limit the number of children they have and/or to control the timing of pregnancy (also known as spacing children). Family planning services are defined as “educational, comprehensive medical or social activities which enable individuals, including minors, to determine freely the number and spacing of their children and to select the means by which this may be achieved. (http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Family_planning) REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND POPULATION DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2008

The present population of the country of 88. 7 million has galloped from 60. 7 million 17 years ago. This makes the Philippines the 12th most populous nation in the world today. The Filipino women’s fertility rate of 3. 05% is at the upper bracket of 206 countries. With four babies born every minute, the population is expected to balloon to an alarming 160 million in 2038. OBJECTIVE/S: 1. To uphold and promote respect for life, informed choice, birth spacing and responsible parenthood in conformity with internationally recognized human rights standards. 2.

To guarantee universal access to medically-safe, legal and quality reproductive health care services and relevant information even as it prioritizes the needs of women and children. PROVISIONS: 1. Mandates the Population Commission, to be an attached agency of the Department of Health, to be the central planning, coordinating, implementing and monitoring body for effective implementation of this Act. 2. Provides for the creation of an enabling environment for women and couples to make an informed choice regarding the family planning method that is best suited to their needs and personal convictions. 3.

Provides for a maternal death review in LGUs, national and local government hospitals and other public health units to decrease the incidence of maternal deaths. 4. Ensures the availability of hospital-based family planning methods such as tubal ligation, vasectomy and intrauterine device insertion in all national and local government hospitals, except in specialty hospitals. 5. Considers hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine devices, injectables and other allied reproductive health products and supplies under the category of essential medicines and supplies to form part of the National Drug Formulary and to be ncluded in the regular purchase of essential medicines and supplies of all national and local hospitals and other government health units. 6. Provides for a Mobile Health Care Service in every Congressional District to deliver health care goods and services. 7. Provides Mandatory Age-appropriate Reproductive Health Education starting from Grade 5 to Fourth Year High School to develop the youth into responsible adults. 8. Mandates the inclusion of the topics on breastfeeding and infant nutrition as essential part of the information given by the City or Municipal Office of the Family Planning to all applicants for marriage license. . Mandates no less than 10% increase in the honoraria of community-based volunteer workers, such as the barangay health workers, upon successful completion of training on the delivery of reproductive health care services. 10. Penalizes the violator of this Act from one month to six months imprisonment or a fine ranging from ten thousand to fifty thousand pesos or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the Court. (http://jlp-law. om/blog/reproductive-health-bill-fact-sheet-and-explanatory-note/) Birth control is a regimen of one or more actions, devices, sexual practices, or medications followed in order to deliberately prevent or reduce the likelihood of pregnancy or childbirth. There are three main routes to preventing or ending pregnancy: the prevention of fertilization of the ovum by sperm cells (“contraception”), the prevention of implantation of the blastocyst (“contragestion”), and the chemical or surgical induction or abortion of the developing embryo or, later, fetus.

In common usage, term “contraception” is often used for both contraception and contragestion. Birth control is commonly used as part of family planning. The history of birth control began with the discovery of the connection between coitus and pregnancy. The oldest forms of birth control included coitus interruptus, pessaries, and the ingestion of herbs that were believed to be contraceptive or abortifacient. The earliest record of birth control use is an ancient Egyptian set of instructions on creating a contraceptive pessary.

Different methods of birth control have varying characteristics. Condoms, for example, are the only methods that provide significant protection from sexually transmitted diseases. Cultural and religious attitudes on birth control vary significantly. Barrier methods place a physical impediment to the movement of sperm into the female reproductive tract. The most popular barrier method is the male condom, a latex or polyurethane sheath placed over the penis. The condom is also available in a female version, which is made of polyurethane.

The female condom has a flexible ring at each end — one secures behind the pubic bone to hold the condom in place, while the other ring stays outside the vagina. Cervical barriers are devices that are contained completely within the vagina. The contraceptive sponge has a depression to hold it in place over the cervix. The cervical cap is the smallest cervical barrier. Depending on the type of cap, it stays in place by suction to the cervix or to the vaginal walls. The diaphragm fits into place behind the woman’s pubic bone and has a firm but flexible ring, which helps it press against the vaginal walls.

Spermicide may be placed in the vagina before intercourse and creates a chemical barrier. Spermicide may be used alone, or in combination with a physical barrier. (http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Contraceptives) Contraceptives The condom is placed over the penis before sexual intercourse, to prevent sperm getting into the vagina. The condom is also a protection against sexually transmitted infections. Most condoms are made of latex (very thin rubber). People who are allergic to latex can buy condoms made of polyurethane or condoms made of sheep gut, which are very thin and also a little more expensive.

Advantages of the condom • You only need to use it when you have sex • It protects against STI • It has no side effects • It is easily available Disadvantages of the condom • It needs a little skill to put on •  It can be felt as an interruption or a putdown during sex •  It can slip off or break, especially if the sex is clumsy or wild •  It needs a little skill to withdraw the penis properly Contraceptive implant is a small plastic tube which is placed under your skin, usually of the arm.

Like the pill, it contains a progestogen hormone, which is released into the blood very gradually. The contraceptive implant can stay in the arm for three years. The best-known contraceptive implant is Implanon. The contraceptive implant is as effective as the pill. It works the same way, preventing ovulation, making it more difficult for sperm to enter the uterus, and making the inside lining of the uterus thinner. Advantages of the contraceptive implant • the contraceptive implant does not interfere with sex • the contraceptive implant cannot be forgotten, like the pill

Disadvantages of the contraceptive implant •  the contraceptive implant must be inserted • bleeding is usually lighter but more irregular • side-effects of the contraceptive implant may be the same as with the pill The pill is one of the most effective ways of preventing pregnancy. It contains hormones similar to the natural hormones in your body, which regulate your ovulation and menstruation. How the pill works: The hormones in the pill have the following effects: •  they prevent ovulation they thicken the mucus of the cervix (the mouth of the uterus) • they make it more difficult for an egg to settle in the uterus • there are many different types and brands of pills  Advantages of the pill 1. the pill does not interfere with sex 2. the pill puts the girl in contro 3. the pill makes menstruation lighter and more regula 4. the pill protects against some types of cancer and other diseases Disadvantages of the pill 1. you must remember to take the pill 2. the pill may have side-effects such as headaches, weight gain, mood changes; these may occur only in the first months 3. the pill may

Pre-marital sex, young Catholics know it is wrong. So why do they do it? Most teenagers have heard or coined the phrases “everyone”s doing it.” “If you loved me you”d do it” and also “It”s okay I have a condom.” Sex before marriage can be harmful to your body, your future, but the scariest of all your eternity. In this paper we shall look more into the Catholic point of view on pre-marital bliss. The purpose of sex is to unite a married couple as one loving body in consummating a marriage, to leave the possibility of procreation open, and to and to educate a child.

The purpose of sex is to unite a married couple as one loving body. This is because God”s intention in creating the first man and woman was for them to love and create more men and women. To do so a married couple must join as one loving body or to have sexual intercourse. In having intercourse the first time in a marriage you are consummating the marriage therefore making the marriage official in the eyes of God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: “the union of man and woman in marriage is a way of imitating the flesh in the creators generosity and fecundity: ‘Therefore . . . and they become one flesh” (Gen4:24) All human generations proceed from this union” (Catechism 2335).

Sex is meant for mature individuals who are prepared to face the consequences of sex. Two of the biggest fears in premarital sex are STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) and unwanted pregnancy. A married individual normally does not have to deal with such problems. This is because at the average age of marriage most STDs are not common. Second, in a marriage a couple normally wants a child to care for. However, teenagers do not want these responsibilities. Which leads to common use of contraceptives in teen sex.

Sex is meant to leave an opening for procreation. Contraceptives are commonly used in premarital sex. These are used to prevent unwanted pregnancy and STDs. How can one use a condom and leave an opening for a child to be conceived? The Bible says “God blessed man and woman with the words: ‘Be fruitful and multiply”” (GS 50). Condom, the most popular choice for a contraceptive, is a latex cover for the male phallus, which prevents the sperm from entering the vagina and making it”s way to the egg. In humans sexual reproduction is done through intercourse. When the sperm meets the egg.

When a condom does fail there is a high risk of catching a STD or having an unwanted pregnancy. In the chance of a pregnancy there are alternatives such as raising the child on your own, giving it up for abortion, and the sinful way out, having an abortion. Abortion is a mortal sin because it is the death of an unborn child. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “By its very nature the institution of marriage and married love is ordered to the procreation and education of the offspring and is in them that it finds their crowning glory” (1652, 460). Raising a child on your own is not impossible however it is not easy.

Finally, Sex is meant to aid in educating a child. Without sex there is no child. In the cases of teen-parents, it is not probable that the child will grow up with the proper education. This is most probable because the teens themselves are still learning. In the instances of single parent parenting, the education can be very tedious. It would be tedious because the single parent would have to play the role of the mother and the father as well.

Such examples prove that sex inside of marriage is the simplest choice. One would not have as many issues to face and will be able to raise a family almost problem free. In parenting there will naturally be problems too, however when an adult is there to help their children they have the personal experience and moral guidance needed to lead the offspring off on the right foot. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: ” Parents are the principle and first educators of their children. In this sense the fundamental task of marriage and family is to be at the service of life” (1653, 461). When your child comes to you and tell you that their boy/girlfriend is pressuring them for sex you can be able to tell them to abstain. “Abstinence is the only safe and morally correct form of contraception”.

In conclusion, sex is meant to unite a married couple as one loving body in consummating a marriage, to leave the possibility of procreation open and to and to educate a child. The previous information has shown sex to only be moral and truly worry free in a marriage.

“Let the Hebrews marry, at the age fit for it, virgins that are free, and born of good parents. But if the damsel be convicted, as having been corrupted, and is one of the common people, let her be stoned, because she did not preserve her virginity till she were lawfully married; but if she were the daughter of a priest let her be burnt alive” (Pastor David, Virginity/Marriage, 1)

Most teens and pre-teens have a lot of questions about sex and sexuality. This is normal and natural. It also is normal to feel shy or embarrassed about raising these issues with adults or healthcare providers. Sexual development is an important part of health, similar to other measures of physical growth, such as height and weight. Sexual behavior, which is related to sexual development, has important health implications for everyone, and especially for teens. It is particularly important that to be well informed about all aspects of sex and sexual health.

Some basic information on sex and sexuality is provided in this review, which may answer some questions and raise others. Find an adult you feel comfortable with — perhaps a healthcare provider, parent, or teacher — to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

Sexuality: What Is It

Human sexuality is more than just whether you are male or female, and it is more than just the act of sex. It is a complex idea that involves your physical make-up, how you think about yourself, and how you feel about others and the society you live in.

Here are some of the things that contribute to sexuality:

Anatomic sex — Anatomic sex refers to the sex organs with which you were born. That is, you are either a boy (with a penis and testicles) or a girl (with breasts, a uterus, vagina, and ovaries). Occasionally, a baby is born with sex organs that are not normally developed and/or may appear to resemble both sexes; these individuals are said to have ambiguous genitalia or to be intersex. Anatomic sex is only one component of sexuality.

Gender identity — Gender identity relates to how you feel inside, and whether you “feel” like a boy or a girl. Most people have a combination of feelings, including some that are thought of as “male” or “masculine” and some that are thought of as “female” or “feminine”. In most cases, someone feels mostly like a boy or mostly like a girl. Gender identity and anatomic sex sometimes do not match. For example, a person can be born as a boy but feel like a girl. This is sometimes referred to as transgender.

Sexual orientation — Once you begin puberty, you are likely to begin to have strong physical and emotional attractions to others. Sexual orientation refers to whether you are primarily attracted to people of the opposite sex (heterosexual), the same sex as you (homosexual, gay, or lesbian), or both (bisexual). Sexual orientation is influenced by many factors, including your anatomic sex, your gender identity, the society you live in, and other factors, some of which are not completely understood. Sexual orientation is believed to exist on a continuum.

That is, you may feel mostly attracted to people of the same sex as you but still have some feelings for people of the opposite sex, or vice versa. These feelings are normal and may change throughout life.

Adolescent Sexual Development

Sexual development begins in the pre-teen years and continues into adulthood. The body produces hormones that cause outward changes, including breast development in girls, the appearance of facial hair in boys, and growth of hair under the arms and in the genital area of both boys and girls. However, puberty is more than physical changes.

As your body grows into adulthood, your way of thinking, emotions, and wants and needs will change as well. The factors discussed above (your anatomic sex, your gender identity, and your sexual orientation) will all become a part of how these changes affect you as a person. You will probably start to feel strong attractions toward others. Sometimes these feelings include developing friendships with other teenagers. Other feelings include wanting to be physically close to another person. You may find yourself attracted to someone of the opposite sex, someone of the same sex, or both.

It’s important to remember that these physical attractions can shift and change and that they develop at different times in different people. You may find you are attracted to someone of the same sex for a time, then find stronger attractions to someone of the opposite sex. Alternately, the reverse could occur. Over time, most teens will come to identify themselves as primarily heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual. However, you should not be surprised if you feel confused about some of these issues during your teen years.

This time of life may be troubling for teens who begin to identify themselves as homosexual or bisexual, especially if these ideas are not openly accepted by family members, friends, or the society in which they live. In this case, it is especially important for the teen to find a trusted adult and friends with whom he or she can talk openly. Several of the online resources listed below can also be of benefit (see ‘Where to get more information’ below. It also is important to know that in the early years of puberty, it’s normal to want to experiment with sexual activity.

This often happens before a teenager is fully aware of how this activity might affect his or herself or others. As teens continue to grow and mature, they are better able to make choices about intimacy and physical relationships that will enhance their lives, rather than making choices that will cause problems for themselves or others. Adults generally recommend that teens not rush into sexual activity too soon, but rather wait until they are more mature. (See ‘Health issues related to sex’ below. ) When you are sexually mature, you’ll have a more developed sense of your preferences and desires.

You will understand the possible consequences of having sexual relationships with others, and you will be ready to take responsibility for whatever occurs. You will be more ready to engage in the satisfying, intimate relationships that are an important part of life.

Sexual Activity: The Facts

There are many ways to express intimacy. Spending time with another person, holding hands, and kissing are all ways to show affection and begin to explore physical intimacy. As you develop attractions toward others, you will probably want to explore these and other types of physical intimacy.

What might this involve? Most teens have questions about sex and sex acts. Here are some basic facts and definitions, including some important information about sexual boundaries; that is, what is and what is not OK as part of a sexual relationship. Genitals — Genitals are the external sex organs that are sensitive to and stimulated by being touched, which typically occurs during sexual activity. The male external organs are the penis and scrotum, which holds the testicles . The female external organs are the vulva, clitoris, and the opening to the vagina .

Petting — Petting is feeling parts of another person’s body. This usually refers to touching the genitals or other sexually sensitive areas, such as breasts. Orgasm — Orgasm is an intensely pleasurable release of tension felt in the genital area and elsewhere in the body. It usually results from stimulation of the genitals. In men and boys, orgasm is associated with the release of semen (called ejaculation), which contains sperm. The term “come” is a slang word for orgasm. Sexual intercourse — In general, this refers to sex involving a man’s penis being placed inside a woman’s vagina.

When the man ejaculates during sexual intercourse, this semen is released into the woman’s vagina. Pregnancy occurs if sperm, contained in the semen, are able to fertilize the egg released by a woman’s ovary. However, semen can be released even if the man does not have an orgasm. Oral sex — Oral sex involves using the mouth and/or tongue to stimulate the genitals. Oral sex can occur between a man and a woman, between two men, or between two women. Anal sex — Anal sex is sexual activity involving penetration of the anus (the opening where bowel movements leave the body).

A penis or another object is inserted into the anus during anal sex. Both men and women are able to engage in anal sex. Masturbation — Masturbation involves using the hands, or sometimes a device such as a vibrator or other sex toy, to stimulate one’s own or someone else’s genitals. Some people believe “having sex” only means sexual intercourse. But other activities, including oral sex, anal sex, or masturbation can also be considered as “having sex”. Even things like kissing or petting are considered to be sexual activity because they are part of how one person responds sexually to another person.

Sexual boundaries — The only kind of sexual activity that is OK is activity that occurs between people who want to have sex with each other. Activity that occurs when a person is alone, such as masturbation, is also OK. If two people are having sex, both of them must be old enough and mature enough to participate without feeling pressured to prove something or try something new. If a sex act is forced upon a person who does not want to participate, this is called rape. Rape is a serious crime that can result in being arrested, spending time in jail, and having a permanent criminal record.

Having sex with someone who is not sure they want to have sex can also be called rape. For teens, feelings about sex can be new and confusing. For example, sometimes a person begins kissing or petting but then changes their mind and wants to stop. The other person must always listen, even if it is very difficult to stop. It is not harmful to stop sex before orgasm occurs. Teens sometimes get into difficult situations if they are drinking or using drugs and having sex. In these cases, someone may seem to want sex, but they may be too drunk or high to know what they are doing.

Later, the sex can be called rape. Teens may be lured into having sex with an adult. It is never OK for an adult to behave in this way. If an adult wants to engage in any type of sexual activity (kissing, petting, oral sex, intercourse), the teen should talk to a parent, healthcare provider, law officer, or other trusted adult at once. Even if you feel like you have done something to cause the adult to be attracted or have sexual feelings, the adult is responsible for controlling his or her behavior, regardless of the circumstances.

Certain state laws, which vary from state to state, impose certain regulations or rules on sexual activity, even among teens. As discussed above, it is always a crime for anyone to force or coerce you into having sex against your wishes, no matter if it is an adult or someone around your own age. However, in some states, sex between teens below a certain age may also be illegal, even if both people want to have sex. Rules may depend upon the age of both partners and upon the sex of your other partner(s). Before deciding to have sex, speak to a trusted adult about these important issues.

Health Issues Related to Sex

The main reason it is important to postpone sexual activity until you are mature is that sexual activity affects both the physical and emotional health of the people involved. Here are some facts. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — There are a number of infections that can be spread during sexual activity. Infections can be spread through sexual intercourse, anal sex, oral sex, and using fingers, other body parts, or sex toys that have come in contact with another person’s genitals or body fluids. These diseases are called sexually transmitted infections, or STIs (often called sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs).

Common places STIs can occur are the genital organs, anus, and throat. Research has shown that young people are at an increased risk of developing STIs. The reasons for this are not completely understood. However, the younger you are when you start having sex, the more likely it is that you will get an STI. Also, having one STI can make it easier to acquire other STIs at the same time. In many cases, you can get an STI and not know it. This is because STIs often do not have any noticeable signs or symptoms. All of the STIs can have serious consequences for future health.

For example, a woman who gets an STI may have difficulty becoming pregnant later in life or may be more prone to developing certain types of cancer, such as cervical cancer. Some of the most important STIs are: HIV — HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). AIDS is a serious, incurable disease of the immune system. Until recently, everyone who developed AIDS died. Although new treatments are now helping many people with HIV infection live longer, there is still no cure for this serious disease or vaccine to prevent it. Many people still die each year from AIDS.

Each year, between 40,000 and 80,000 people are newly infected with HIV. Half of these new infections are in people younger than 25 years old. New recommendations call for those who have been sexually active to be tested routinely for HIV infection. The earlier HIV is detected, the sooner a person can obtain treatment and the better their chances are of survival. Speak to your healthcare provider about HIV testing. (See “Patient information: Testing for HIV”. ) Human papillomavirus — Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STI in adolescents. Most people who get HPV do not know they have it.

Some types of HPV cause genital warts. Other types of HPV cause cervical cancer in woman, penile cancer in men, and anal cancer in either sex. A Pap smear is one important way your healthcare provider can screen for cervical cancer associated with HPV. (See “Patient information: Condyloma (genital warts) in women” and “Patient information: Cervical cancer screening”. ) In addition, there is a vaccine for girls age 9 to 26 years to protect against four common types of HPV. Speak to your healthcare provider about this important vaccine. (See “Patient information: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine”. )

Gonorrhea and chlamydia — These are serious bacterial infections of the genital tract. They can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, which can cause severe pain and can lead to infertility (inability to become pregnant). Both gonorrhea and chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics. It is important to be screened for these infections if you have had sex, because you may not always have symptoms. (See “Patient information: Gonorrhea” and “Patient information: Chlamydia”. ) Herpes simplex virus — This is a viral infection that causes painful or itchy sores or blisters in the genital area.

The sores heal but can reappear at any point later in life. There is no cure. The virus can be spread even when there are no blisters present. Medications are available from your healthcare provider to shorten the length of time the blisters last and decrease your risk of repeat outbreaks. (See “Patient information: Genital herpes”. ) Hepatitis B virus — This is a viral infection that can cause liver disease. In most cases, the disease resolves after the initial illness. But in some people, serious liver damage or liver failure can occur.

Most children and adolescents are being vaccinated against this infection with a series of three shots. You should speak to your healthcare provider if you are not sure if you have had this vaccine. (See “Patient information: Hepatitis B”. ) Syphilis — This is an infection caused by a small organism called a spirochete (/SPY-ro-keet/), which can cause an ulcer on a person’s genitals or anus. It is fairly uncommon in teens but more common in certain populations. Sometimes you may not notice the ulcer, because it does not usually cause pain or may be on the inside of the vagina (in females) or anus (in both sexes).

It is important to see your healthcare provider right away if you notice any sores or ulcers. The sore usually heals but can cause important long-term problems if untreated. Trichomonas — Trichomonas (“trich”) is a common infection caused by a tiny parasite that can cause itching and/or a discharge from a person’s genital organs. Females notice symptoms far more often than males, although both sexes can be affected and require treatment by a healthcare provider. This infection can be cured with antibiotics.

Preventing and Screening for STIS

The only way to be sure you will not get an STI is to not have sex. STIs can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, and using fingers, other body parts, or sex toys that have come in contact with another person’s genitals or body fluids. STIs can be transmitted between a male and a female, between two females, and between two males who have sex. It is not possible to tell by looking at someone whether he or she has an STI. Even if the other person tells you they do not have an STI or says they are “clean”, you cannot be sure this is true. That is because the person may not know if they are infected.

Also, it is common for teens to not be completely truthful about many things in relationships, including whether they may have been exposed to an STI. Condom use — People who are sexually active can reduce their risk of getting an STI by using a latex or polyurethane condom every time they have sex. Male condoms are worn on the penis, helping to prevent body fluids from passing to another person. Female condoms are also available, and can be placed in the vagina to help prevent fluids from passing from one person to another. (If a male and female are having sex, only one should wear a condom.

If both the male and female wear a condom, the condoms could rub together and move out of place. ) Dental dams are another barrier device that can be used when performing oral sex on a female. (See “Patient information: Barrier methods of birth control”. ) Condoms and dental dams reduce the risk of getting an STI, but they do not take away the risk completely. Condoms can break or leak, allowing passage of body fluids and transmission of infection. In addition, condoms do not completely cover all of the skin that is exposed during sex; herpes and HPV can be passed by skin-to-skin contact.

Other birth control methods do not reduce the risk of STIs. You can reduce the risk that a male condom will break or slip off in two ways. First, make sure the penis is completely hard before putting on the condom. Also, be sure to squeeze and hold the tip of the condom as you roll the rest of it down the penis, making sure there is no air pocket (like a small balloon) at the end of the penis. Immunizations — Another way to reduce the risk of two specific STIs (HPV and hepatitis B) is to talk to a healthcare provider about immunizations.

As previously mentioned, most children and adolescents are routinely immunized against hepatitis B in the United States. The HPV vaccine is now available to females aged nine years and older. Check ups — Regular check-ups by your healthcare provider are important to all adolescents, but it is particularly important to speak with a healthcare provider if you decide to have sex. This talk should include ways to prevent pregnancy and STIs, as well as the need for regular testing for STIs, including HIV.

Since STIs can occur in different body sites (genital organs, anus, and throat) and may have no symptoms, it is important to speak honestly with the provider about sexual behavior to get appropriate testing. If your healthcare provider is not comfortable or able to screen you for STIs, ask for a referral to a provider who can.

Pregnancy and birth control — Pregnancy is a serious consequence of sexual activity between males and females. Each year in the United States, about 1 million adolescents become pregnant. Pregnancy in teens has serious health consequences. Pregnant teens are more likely to have babies who are premature or sick.

A pregnant adolescent is more likely to drop out of school and live in poverty. Although some teens who become pregnant choose to have an abortion, this choice also carries risks. As with STIs, the only way a young woman can be sure she will not become pregnant is to not have sexual intercourse. There is no reliable way to determine a “safe” time when she will not become pregnant; menstrual cycles at this age can be irregular. Teens should know that pregnancy is possible each time they have sexual intercourse, including the first time and during the menstrual period.

Birth control methods are available that can reduce the risk of pregnancy. However, birth control methods other than condoms do not reduce the risk of STIs. The most reliable methods (other than abstinence) must be prescribed by a doctor or nurse. These include birth control pills, patches, and injections. Other newer options for females include a vaginal ring that is worn in the vagina or a small device that must be inserted under the skin by a healthcare provider. (See “Patient information: Hormonal methods of birth control”. ) Some methods, such as condoms and contraceptive foam, can be purchased without a prescription.

A condom should be used every time you have sex, even if another method is used to prevent pregnancy. (See “Patient information: Barrier methods of birth control”. ) If you use birth control but have an accident (the condom breaks, you forget a pill), you can take a “morning after pill” to reduce the risk of pregnancy. (See “Patient information: Emergency contraception (morning after pill)”. ) Teens who engage in sexual activity must be sure they have accurate information about the available birth control options. The best time to decide on a method of birth control is before you start having sex.

Teen pregnancy wasn’t always a problem. Even a hundred years ago, men and women married and started their families young: life expectancy was far shorter than it is today; school wasn’t nearly as important or widely available; and young families conformed to the established social norm. However, today in the developed world, teen pregnancy is a problem that causes a wide range of social and economic problems. The United States leads the developed world in teen pregnancies, with over twice as many per year as Great Britain or Canada, four times as many as France, and ten times as many as Japan or the Netherlands (Popenoe).

As many as 34% of all teenage girls become pregnant at least once before they are 20 years old, resulting in an astounding rate of 820,000 pregnancies a year. Nearly all of those pregnancies are out of wedlock and unwanted and so about half of those pregnancies result in abortion. Poverty and race are correlated with teen pregnancy, too, as teen mothers are more likely to be poor and remain poor if they start a family. Teen mothers are unlikely to finish high school: fewer than one-third of teen mothers receive their degree and a mere 1. 5% receive a college degree before they are 30 (“The National Campaign To Prevent Teen Pregnancy”).

Additionally, teenage pregnancies frequently result in short- and long-term health problems for both mother and child. Long-term social effects include the perpetuation of poverty and the weakening of the economic muscle of the nation; clearly something must be done to prevent teen pregnancy in the United States. Many people believe mistakenly believe that sex education and birth control distribution will solve the epidemic of teen pregnancy. The underlying message is that if the birth control methods and education fails, then at least the teen can have an abortion to prevent starting a family.

Sex education focuses on safe sex: the proper use of birth control devices including prophylactics and hormonal contraceptives. Barrier birth control devices like condoms can prevent sexually-transmitted diseases as well as pregnancies. Many schools, community and health centers distribute condoms for free to encourage teens to practice safe sex. The birth control approach to teen pregnancy is based on an assumption that teenagers are going to have sex no matter what, because sex is a natural biological instinct or because of peer pressure.

By teaching safe sex, teachers and parents feel that at least they are minimizing the chances of causing a pregnancy or spreading a sexually transmitted disease. Sex education also eliminates the need to address the complex moral and psychological issues associated with teen pregnancy: issues that are controversial politically and difficult to discuss. In spite of the rationale behind the prophylactic approach to teen pregnancy, distributing birth control freely to teenagers will fail to solve the epidemic and in fact contributes to the problem of teen pregnancy.

Telling teens that they should use birth control and then handing them birth control devices is frankly condoning and even encouraging premarital teen sex. The practice is irresponsible and irrational, because teen pregnancies are far more common now than they were in the 1960s, when birth control and sex education were not a part of the school curriculum. Moreover, sex education starts at a young age, in many cases before the young person is even interested in having sex, increasing the likelihood of misunderstanding, misinterpreting, or misapplying the information.

In many cases students do not pay attention either. Contrary to what many people believe, teenagers in the modern industrialized world do not have the mental or emotional maturity to understand the ramifications of sexual intercourse. In the old days, teens married young and their pregnancies usually occurred within wedlock and in a socially-sanctioned setting. Now, teen pregnancies lead to social and economic problems. Furthermore, all birth control devices fail occasionally and many are difficult to use properly by adults, let alone inexperienced teens.

At least half of all teen pregnancies result in abortion, which many teens begin to view as a form of backup birth control. The emphasis on birth control and sex education compound the underlying moral degeneracy that causes teen pregnancy in the United States, contributing to racial, gender, and social inequity, to poverty as to the denigration of life. Teaching abstinence is the only meaningful way to reduce teen pregnancy because teaching abstinence addresses the root causes of the problem and provides an effective long-term solution.

Abstinence is not a religious idea or a superstitious idea; abstinence is a practical solution to a serious problem. Parents and teachers should teach abstinence first, before they teach children about birth control. Teaching abstinence now won’t be easy because teens expect to have sex and because the media targeted at teens reinforces a view that having sex is normal, cool, and healthy. A message of abstinence goes against what teens see on television so many teens as well as adults may resist the idea. The idea of abstinence may be linked to religious beliefs and therefore many will construe the teaching as being biased.

It’s not biased. Teaching abstinence is a universal, practical, simple way to prevent teen pregnancies and the concurrent health, social, and economic problems that go along with it. Teaching abstinence requires a two-fold plan. First, abstinence must be taught from an early age, in school and at home. Second, abstinence teaching must be continued throughout junior and high school and reinforced through community messages and outreach. Teaching abstinence from an early age ensures that the individual will develop an emotional and cognitive framework that will last through their lives.

When taught from an early age, abstinence becomes the norm, replacing sexual promiscuity or experimentation as the norm. Teaching abstinence at a young age, from late elementary school, is inexpensive and easy, requiring no special materials or funding. The education does not need to be presented from a religious perspective, but young students should learn about the moral and social ramifications of pregnancy so that they can independently choose abstinence when they reach puberty. Abstinence is a preventative teaching that must be reinforced throughout the pre-teen and teen years.

Because they are influenced heavily by the media and by their peers, teenagers must receive continual guidance and support, and regular exposure to the message of abstinence. Therefore, abstinence education must continue into junior high and high school, if not in a formal class setting than through posters, pamphlets, and other accessible material. Parents must also participate by regularly talking to their teenage children, asking them questions about their social life, answering the teen’s questions as honestly and frankly as possible. Basically, abstinence must become a state of mind, a new social norm.

Reducing the alarming and embarrassingly high rate of American teen pregnancies requires not a more aggressive birth control campaign but a more systematic abstinence campaign. If we fail to teach abstinence soon, from an early age, and systematically, then teen pregnancies will continue to plague young American women, contributing to social and economic injustice as well as widespread health issues. All Americans can see the negative of teen pregnancy; it is a problem shared by all of us and therefore all of us are responsible for changing the underlying social norms that contribute to the problem and promoting abstinence.

Abstract In this paper I will discuss the most dominant trends in abortion reports in the modern age. We will discuss the issues of morality, health risks and benefits and socioeconomic factors that are a part of the abortion discussion. There is a great deal of evidence to suggest that the debate of the morality of abortion Is an ongoing and ever-evolving discussion. Some of the points made in the articles discussed are seen as unique or radical, while others are points that have lasted through time and are still strong and relevant today.

This paper will analyze the current dialogue that s occurring within our scholarly journals across the globe, including points of view from Japan, Bangladesh, Australia and the United States. The key common point that is made throughout the literature is that despite local laws, religious beliefs, and services provided, women are still seeking and getting abortions. Abortion Policy and Its consequences By the sass’s abortion was a very common procedure. In an article by Alistair El- Muar, it is documented that more than one-third of Australian families were affected by abortion procedures in the sass’s.

There is a great deal of confusion surrounding he subject because, while abortion is legal in many countries, it is often not discussed, clinics are hidden or not made obvious of their location and purpose, and often times euphemisms are used such as “getting rid of” or “taking care of” a Japan, the topic of abortion has been more open for discussion; the subject that is taboo is oral contraceptive pills. While abortion is legal and available to women in Japan, the use of contraceptives – the pill and condoms – are used sparingly or only during “dangerous days,” when a woman is ovulating.

However, this results in a spike in the number of unwanted abortions. Japan differs greatly from other countries such as the United States and Australia in that abortion is not seen as a poor choice, but, rather, a better choice than taking oral contraceptives. The legality of abortion varies across the globe. But one thing that has stayed consistent and universal over the past twenty years is the abortion rate. Whether legal or not, women are still getting abortions at the same rate in most countries.

In El-Murmur’s article “Representing the Problem of Abortion: Language and the Policy Making Process in the Abortion Law Reform Project in Victoria, 2008,” the recess of legislature reform is described in the light of allowing and extending abortion rights for women. El-Muar shows how the manner in which abortion issues are discussed are commonly over laden with vague language or language that emphasizes a moral bias rather than a logical, rational process of argumentation. Too often the lawmakers are distracted by the colorful language that tugs at heartstrings as opposed to carefully considering the soundness of the arguments being made.

The essence of many arguments is, “This is wrong because I believe it is wrong. ” Legislators consider this – whether knowingly or not is unclear – as valid a mint as an argument in the form of, “The evidence I have presented proves my point because X, Y and Z. ” El-Murmur’s concern with the distraction and misrepresentation of issues is a valid point of concern. How can we make measured, calculated decisions for the entire country when such non-rational, non-linear argumentation is employed?

While the representation of the issue is most likely going to go unresolved for many more years, the Australian government has already come to a conclusion regarding abortion policies. The legislature now indicates that the controversy over abortion is no longer a legal issue, but, rather, a medical issue. In 1992, the Women’s Health Committee of National Health and d Medical Research Council (NRC) gathered an expert panel to review the data regarding abortion and the legality of the procedure. The expert panel completed their report in 1996, concluding that abortion should be decentralized.

However, the NRC rejected their report and argued in opposition – that abortion be illegal. The actual penal code stated that abortion was illegal and punishable by incarceration. However, in the majority of cases in which a woman had an abortion and was prosecuted, the defendants were acquitted due to the defense of necessity – the defense made a strong legal argument that the benefits of the procedure outweighed and Justified the illegal action. This dichotomy of code versus punishment has lead to a great deal of confusion among the Australian population.

In 2008, the Abortion Law Reform Bill decentralized abortion for citizens of Australia. Not only did it make abortion a legal procedure, but the bill also extended the window of time in which a woman has the opportunity to receive abortion services after conception. Many who are opposed to this new reformation believe ND bias without any strict, adhered-to guidelines. Now that abortion is no longer illegal, women are unafraid of punishment. However, there is still a great debate amongst medical professionals as to whether or not they are required to perform such a procedure Just because it is legal.

Many doctors who are morally opposed to abortion are turning patients away, despite the new legality. The morality of abortion appears to be an even stronger determinant than the legality of the procedure. In fact, in Robert Audio’s article, “Preventing Abortion as a Test Case for the Justifiability of Violence,” Audio argues that while abortion may be gal, and murder illegal, it is morally acceptable (and he extends this to “legally justifiable”) to prevent the instance of abortion by murdering the individual providing abortion services.

While Audio’s stance on abortion is clearly an oppositional one, his argument is not as clear or as understandable – despite one’s personal views. In this mixed moral-legal discussion, Audio asserts that a would-be mother and her physician are guilty of murder/harm of the unborn child; while any individual who acts in violence toward either the would-be mother or the physician is morally innocent cause of a commitment to protecting the intrinsically innocent, the fetus.

Whether it be a violent, harassing protest or actual physical harm done to an individual involved in providing abortion services, Audio argues that such behavior is morally justifiable and should not be punishable by law. Audio’s article is a bitter scholarly attack on all women who receive abortion services and all professionals who provide the service. His unsettling discourse leads us to wonder if, under Audio’s reasoning, women should fear being “Justifiably’ killed for desiring or having an abortion.

Due to Audio’s article and the number of people in society who may agree with him, women who consider abortion services are traumatized repeatedly before, during and after such a procedure is performed. To make the decision to terminate a pregnancy is traumatic enough. But Audio’s suggestions are horrific extensions of an already difficult situation. Furthermore, Audio’s language throughout the article is dry and attempts to come across as objective.

Instead of using buzz words such as “God” and “the Bible” when discussing the religious immorality of abortion, Audio uses weaker trigger words such as “miracle,” “divine,” and “scripture” which do not immediately Jump out at the deader as overtly motivated by Christianity. Audio asserts that, regarding women who accept abortion services, “We can act wrongly – counterrevolution, one might say – even when we are within our rights” (Audio, 162). This shows the polarity of Audio’s perspective with regards to the law and what is Just. On another religious path, F.

Cam provides a new, unique argument in favor of abortion. Gamma’s qualitative discussion of the intrinsic value of life and the varying degrees of importance amongst living creatures is a perfect counter-argument to Audio’s radical perspective. Cam points out that the reason there is such scrappiness between what one morally believes is right and what one might realistically do in instances that may necessitate abortion services is that “we believe in the sacredness of individual life (including early fetal life)” (Cam, 222).

He argues that there is more human investment – intellectually and emotionally – in the mother, but the sacredness of both individuals – mother and fetus – is equal. Cam calls potential to suffer greatly or even die from a pregnancy that is carried to term, Cam asserts that the woman’s death is worse – more undesirable – than if the fetus were ported. This follows a common belief that while no deaths are always preferable, one death is more preferable than two. If a mother were to suffer complications or die during childbirth, there would be a great likely hood of facing two deaths.

Furthermore, Cam argues that women, as adults, have intrinsic, incremental objective value as well as intentions, goals, and rights. Whereas a fetus only has intrinsic, incremental objective value (sacredness). This argument is particularly moving in that it reflects that desire to promote the health and well being of the adult woman. Gamma’s argument considers the quality of live that a woman facing the obstacle of abortion can potentially have due to the benefits that abortion procedures offer.

Not many – and clearly no Audio’s – arguments take into consideration the fact that once the ordeal is done, the woman’s quality of life will be much better than if she had faced the risk of carrying a pregnancy to term and raising a child. Gamma’s argument is unique and may even inspire changes within the church and within communities in countries that are primarily Christian. A key deciding factor in the internal debate women face of whether or not to go wrought with abortion procedures is the different aspects of responsibility. In an article by Lawrence B.

Finer, Lori F. Forthwith, Lindsay A. Dauphine, Seashell Sings and Ann M. Moore, 1,209 abortion patients were surveyed and interviewed regarding their reasons for choosing to have an abortion. Finer et al found that the results indicated that women today are much more concerned with their education and careers than what was previously understood. The majority of women – seventy-four percent of those interviewed – reported that a child would interfere with their education, their career, or the ability to care for pre-existing dependents.

The next most common response – seventy-three percent of those interviewed – was that financial hardship and the inability to adequately provide for a child was the reason for terminating their pregnancy. The third most common deciding factor – forty-eight percent of those interviewed – was that the individual was going through relationship problems or was facing being a single mother. An analysis of the study participants showed that 40% of the women had decided that they were through with their childbearing years and wanted no more children.

Thirty percent of the women stated that they had no children and were not ready to come mothers at this time. The researchers also found that the percentage of women who said that their reasoning for getting an abortion was because their parents or their partner wanted them to was less than one percent. Also, the issue of health – either that the individual was currently not in good health or that she feared a pregnancy would compromise her health – was rarely a concern. This study, both qualitative and quantitative, revealed a great deal about the population of women receiving abortion services today.

This article has helped to promote a better understanding and lessen the misconceptions of the concerns and oratories of women today. Also, we are able to see that in the majority of cases the decision to get an abortion is not a spontaneous decision, but, rather, a well thought out and planned decision that has been analyzed carefully by the individual. Women with regards to how a child would affect their quality of life and how their current lifestyle would affect a child’s quality of life if the pregnancy were carried to term.

From 1987 to 2004, the reasons for seeking abortion services have remained consistent and the data have changed little. In the debate of morality, it is notable hat women are consciously considering and reconsidering all aspects of this decision. The majority of the women interviewed in this study felt that they were making the best decision. While the consideration of one’s education and career weigh heavily on women in America, the same factors are not as paramount in other countries such as Japan.

In a study by Going IMHO titled Can Have Abortions But No Oral Contraceptive Pills’: Women and Reproductive Control in Japan,” the issue of eugenic abortions and unwanted pregnancies is illuminated in a new light. In Japan, a strong emphasis is placed on the natural remedies of the body and healing. Anything synthetic and unnecessary is considered toxic. This includes oral contraceptive pills. While condom use is publicly accepted as responsible and sufficient birth control, the use of condoms is not nearly as effective in preventing pregnancy as in the United States.

This is because there is a common notion that condoms are only necessary on “dangerous days,” when a woman is ovulating and most likely to become pregnant (IMHO, 102). When intercourse is had on a day that is not considered “dangerous” condoms are rarely used. The legalization of abortion came about primarily in order o prevent extra-marital pregnancies due to the large number of conceptions that occurred because of ineffective contraception use. Micro’s quantitative report on the shocking number of abortions performed in Japan shows the striking cultural differences between eastern and western populations.

In the post-World War II era in Japan, the desire for procreation and large families flipped to a preference for small families with only one or two children. The decision to proceed with a pregnancy or to terminate with abortion services was largely affected in this era by the advancement of medical science and eugenics. Thanks to new developments in medicine, women are able to have a portion of cells from the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus tested for genetic defects. In Japan especially, any birth defects – whether they be cystic fibrosis, Downs syndrome, or ATA-cash, etc. Are reason for serious consideration and formability of abortion. However, after a large population of women did decide to use oral contraceptive pills after the development of a low-dose hormone pill, the number of abortions dropped significantly. Until these numbers decreased, ninety-nine percent of all abortions in Japan were done so legally under the Eugenic Protection Law. This law legalized induced abortions as early as 1948. In 1996, this law was renamed the Maternal Body Protection Law due too rise in opposition against eugenics.

In 1955, Japan reported 1. 17 million abortions performed each year. This number slowly declined as condoms became widely accepted as proper contraceptive use and declined further after World War II and eugenics practices became the norm. In the sass’s, a group led by Nook Moisakos called for the abolition of abortion laws and the cessation of access to oral contraceptive pills. While many agreed with their stance, Moisakos group was dismissed as radical, militant women’s liberation activists. Many saw the pill as a step towards banning abortion.

In her article, IMHO says, “Since there is such and unfailing contraceptive such as the pill, abortions are no longer necessary’ (IMHO, 101). Eugenics played a large role in the popularity of abortions in Japan. In Sabine Frustum’s article “Women’s Rights? : The Politics of Eugenic Abortion in Japan,” we are urged to despise the process of screening fetus for defects and the process of eugenic abortion. It is Frustum’s position that the advancement of medical genealogy has launched a new era in abortion policy and has skyrocketed the number of abortions performed each year in Japan.

While the numbers suggest that abortion rates have leveled and are fairly consistent year to year, Frustums makes a better argument for a negative disposition towards eugenics. For quite some time, as people watch the world of science grow and present new, unheard of feats, there has been concern over whether or not parents will eventually be able to biologically engineer the perfect child, taking all of the chance out of nature’s random order. This is a great concern of Frustum’s as well – she calls this concept Freestanding” in its depravity.

While many people in America see abortion as something that only affects the lower classes and the poor, Frustums emphasizes the opposite – that those with the financial means to screen their fetus for defects or diseases are the ones who are taking advantage of abortion services the most. However, Rachel K. Jones and her colleagues countered this idea by conducting a study entitled, “Patterns in the Socioeconomic Characteristics of Women Obtaining Abortions in 2000-2001 . ” Jones et al. Adhered a representative sample of 10,000 women receiving abortion services ND analyzed their socioeconomic characteristics. In 2000, twenty-one in every one thousand women had an abortion. This ratio is startling in itself. Further analysis of their study participants gave more details as to the circumstances of our society. Jones et al. Found that there was a higher rate of abortions amongst women who were between the ages of eighteen and twenty-nine, were unmarried, black or Hipic, economically disadvantaged, had a previous birth, lived in a metropolitan area, and who were Christian.

While there was an eleven percent decline in abortion dates from 1994 to 2000, the decline was mostly in women ages seventeen to twenty, and the rate actually increased amongst women who were poor or on Medicaid. Jones et al. Found that a high pregnancy rate is directly related to a high abortion rate. The researchers concluded that the only way to prevent abortion is to provide better opportunities for the lower classes in the forms of education and better health care.

A decrease in unwanted pregnancies can be made possible by increasing awareness of, understanding of, and access to contraceptives – whether they be condoms, intrauterine devices, oral contraceptive pills, etc. Better health care for those who are struggling financially would also provide better access to contraceptives. Similarly, because abortion services generally cost between $400 and $600, many women who are not in a financial position to afford professional services decide to obtain an abortion by other means. In an article by M.

Bearer titled, “Making Abortions Safe: A Matter of Good Public Health Policy and Practice,” women are obtaining unsafe or unsanitary abortion Bearer analyzed the statistics of infection and mortality caused by improper abortion procedures. While the article partially encourages abortion and especially the equalization of such procedures, the emphasis of her article is on the health and safety of women. As many researchers have shown, the number of abortions that are performed is consistent across most countries, whether the process is illegal or not.

Women are still resorting to abortion in times of unwanted pregnancy despite the possible legal ramifications. Server’s stance is that with this in mind – that abortion is going to be a part of society whether we ban it or not – we might as well approve and legalize abortion so that women have the option of having the procedure done in a fee, clean environment rather than in a broken down storage shed by a man with a coat hanger.

Abortion accounts for thirteen percent of maternal mortality (Serer, 580) and menstrual regulation (the process of removing the lining of a woman’s uterus, similar to the natural menstrual cycle, to expel any implanted eggs, whether fertilized or not) is steadily increasing. In order to make abortion a completely safe procedure, we must first legalize abortion. Furthermore, training in abortion procedures should be required for all medical professionals – nurses, midwives, even pediatricians – and tot Just obstetrics and genealogy physicians, Bearer says.

If we cannot legalize abortion, Bearer recommends at least reducing the punishment for those convicted of criminal abortion. Researchers Hide Bart Johnston, Elizabeth Oliver’s, Sashimi Skater, and Diana G. Walker agree with Bearer in their article, “Health System Costs of Menstrual Regulation and Care for Abortion Complications in Bangladesh. ” Johnston et al. Advocate for increasing education and awareness of menstrual regulation as a birth control method in order to bridge the gap between unwanted pregnancy and abortion.

These researchers assert that menstrual regulation – a process similar to the implantation of an intrauterine device in which a physician inserts a tube into a woman’s cervix and removes via vacuum the lining of the uterus – is cheaper for medical service providers than treating the complications of illegal abortions. When abortion procedures go wrong, complications are a serious drain on medical resources in Bangladesh. This technique has also lead to a decrease in maternal deaths and has improved the economic conditions in the health care sector.

In addition to their analysis of cost data related to abortion complications versus menstrual regulation, Johnston et al. Emphasize that this method of menstrual regulation reduces unwanted pregnancies without abortion and the terrible consequences that come with substandard abortion services. It is a simple, fast procedure that sidesteps illegal abortions and which can be seen as an ethical middle ground between abortion and carrying an unwanted pregnancy to term. This procedure is legal in most countries that have banned abortion. Johnston et al. Advocate for improved education for women who may benefit from this procedure.

The common theme amongst all of the articles we have discussed so far is that ore and better medical services should be available to women – whether it be to prevent unwanted pregnancy, to provide better care for pregnant women, or to provide abortion services. In a case study by Maharani Malaria, S. Sirius, and S. A researchers discuss the tragic case of a twenty-six year old woman who received an ill-performed abortion by a man with a wooden stick. The woman came into the emergency room suffering from abdominal pain and a sever fever indicating infection. Septic abortion is a spontaneous, therapeutic or artificial abortion complicated by pelvic infection” (Malaria, 149). In India, twelve percent of maternal deaths are caused by septic abortion. After describing this horrific case, Malaria et al. Strongly recommend to the public that abortion policy be reviewed and legalized in order to prevent the instance of septic abortion. In an anonymous article titled “A Doctor Tells Why She Performed Abortions – And Still Would” and written under the pseudonym “Dry. X,” a female doctor describes why she refuses to stop providing abortion services.

The number of providers of abortion services (that is, licensed and medically trained with sanitary facilities) has decreased from 2,680 in 1985 to 1,787 in 2005. And while doctors are retiring, the new enervation of physicians are not being taught how to perform abortion services. As teaching hospitals have merged with religious institutions, abortion is no longer being taught to medical students. There are more than 1. 5 million abortions performed each year, making it the most common medical procedure in the United States. However, there are fewer and fewer providers of such services despite the consistent demand.

This has resulted in more amateur providers conducting the procedure in less-than-sanitary conditions. Similarly, the aggressiveness and number of protesters outside of abortion clinics has risen to shocking levels. Instead of seeking out abortion services, women are hiding from the shame placed on them by these protesters, staying at home, and attempting to perform the procedures on themselves with reeds or knitting needles (Dry. X, 1265). According to Dry. X, the solution to this problem is, “All physicians who care for reproductive-age women should have opt-out, rather than opt-in, abortion training” (Dry.

X, 1266). This will encourage medical students to participate in the training rather than going through the process of opting out of the course. This is one realistic solution to the problem of declining numbers of abortion service revisers. However, the consensus still seems to be that the most important step for us to take is legalizing abortion and doing away with punishments for those who receive and perform abortion services. In an article posted in the London Lancet, titled “Abortion in the U. S. A. ,” the statistics of abortion in America are clearly outlined.

Nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended. There are twenty-two abortions performed for every one thousand pregnancies. And while the legalization of abortion has changed over time and across cultures, the abortion incidence, rate and ratio have remained the same. Drug induced abortion is a new phenomenon that is peeking the interest of women all over the country. But these articles have left us wondering, is it better for women to experiment with chemicals and knitting needles than to provide professional abortion services? Where do our moral principles lie?

Who is the priority in this situation: the health and lives of women all over the globe or unborn fetus that have not yet begun to experience life? While the morality issue is certainly one of open debate, there is a platform on which we all can agree – we must take provide care for all. The statistics have proven omen facing an unwanted pregnancy are still going to seek abortion services if they decide it is the only feasible option. The tone and primary focus of the scholarly journal articles reviewed here vary along a wide spectrum.

In today’s society there is an on going debate over sex education and its influence on our children. “The question is no longer should sex education be taught, but rather how it should be taught” (DeCarlo). With teenage pregnancy rates higher than ever and the imminent threat of the contraction of STD’s, such as HIV, the role of sex education in the school is of greater importance now then ever before. By denying children sex education you are in a sense sheltering them from the harsh realities they are bound to encounter.

Sex education has become an essential part of the curriculum and by removing the information provided by this class we’ll be voluntarily putting our children in danger. During the teenage years every boy and girl undergo major changes in the body that most of the time need explaining. This underscores one of the most evident reasons for sexual education being taught to students. Sex education can help children to cope with the many changes caused by the onset of puberty. One such example is a female’s first menstruation and the uneasiness they feel.

If this girl had been informed of this change prior to its onset, then her ability to accept and understand it would be greatly enhanced. Hormonal and physical changes in the body begin without warning and a child needs to know why these changes are occurring. Students are taught about the anatomy of the human body and how and why it works the way it does. Knowing and understanding how ones body works is a fundamental part any persons life and ability to gain this knowledge should not be removed. At the beginning of puberty hormones start rushing and all teenagers begin to experience sexual urges.

It’s not something anyone, including a parent or teacher, can control. It’s a natural function of the body and has been since the beginning of time. With this hormone rush comes experimentation among teenagers. They begin to explore their bodies along with the bodies of other people. “You can’t prevent teenagers from having sex, no matter what you preach. If students are having sex they might as well do it the safe way. It’s a way for schools to show that they actually care,” says Shauna Ling-Choung (qt. Richardson “When sex_” B1).

Students need the support from schools to know they have somewhere to go for the good or bad. With sex education classes the students are taught about various methods of contraception, including abstinence. By teaching the students about the many types of contraception, the chance of contraceptives being used is greatly increased. Many schools have recently begun programs to distribute condoms to students in their schools in order to hopefully increase the use of condoms. A recent study shows that the availability of condoms in schools did in fact increase condom use.

Condom access is a “low-cost harmless addition” to our current sex education programs (Richardson “Condoms in_” B8). When thinking of sex education for our children, the cliche‚ “better safe than sorry” should immediately come to mind. Along with teaching contraceptives to students the vital information of STD’s are also taught. Currently, out of all age groups, teenagers have the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases, with one in four young people contracting and STD by the age of twenty-one (DeCarlo).

Included in the STD category is the HIV virus, which is spreading at alarming rates among our teenage population. It is believed that at least twenty percent of new patients with AIDS were infected during their teenage or early adult years. ” And still some school leaders are trying to remove our best means of prevention of the disease: sex education (Roye 581) Teachers are able to educate students with the correct information on the many types of sexually transmitted diseases that exist in the world today. False information about ways of contracting diseases, symptoms of and treatments of STDs, and preventative measures are weeded out and students receive the accurate information about sexually transmitted diseases.

Protection of our children from sexually transmitted diseases should start in the classroom where it can be assured that the correct and critical information will be provided to them. Nobody likes to be talked to like they are a child, and by denying teenagers sexual education, schools are in a sense talking down to them. By teaching them the facts about sex, teenagers feel a sense of maturity because it’s a mature topic and they are fully aware of that. Students get the feeling that the adults in their lives feel that they are responsible enough to learn about this topic.

Therefore bringing on more of a response from teenagers. They know they are being treated as adults so they are going to pay attention to what they are being taught and then act as adults and carry out what they were taught. Teenagers appreciate when adults treat them as equals, and anyone will see that children will always respond better to this than to being treated as a Much of the typical family structure in the United States and many other places in the world have deteriorated over the last century.

A good portion of parents today are divorced and many of the families that haven’t experienced divorce live with both parents working full time jobs. Families today aren’t like the family on “Leave It to Beaver,” a sitcom that aired in the sixties; the mother isn’t home all day baking and making sure that the house is clean. Since family structure has changed, so have the way children are being raised. Society cannot count on all parents to instill morals into their children and teach them the facts of life or even the difference between right and wrong these days. Parents just don’t have the time for it.

Recently the Vatican released a document stating that ” parents alone cannot give children the positive sex education they need to develop healthy attitudes towards sex” (Euchner). Another view on the subject taken by the Nebraska Public School system is that sex education in today’s society is to complicated to be left to “the varying influences of parental attitudes and haphazard environmental exposure” (Chaumont et al. ). Besides, even if the parent were around more often then not, the chances of a child approaching their parent about the “bird and the bees” is very unlikely.

These children need to have a place were the information on this touchy subject is provided to them without them needing to ask. “Kids don’t go asking their parents, this is the only way for them to find out answers because they are to embarrassed to ask anyone else,” says Pallodino, and eighteen-year-old from Virginia. (O’Hanlon B8). In order for children to grow up with the correct information regarding sex, it is necessary to have sex education provided to them in schools.

Even though sex education seems as if it can do no wrong, there still remain many opponents, including many authors who clearly express their view, that are still against it in our schools. There are many reasons why people feel like this, two of which are they feel as if sex education does no good at all and another is that people feel that it is influencing students to have sex. Ellen Hopkins, author of “Sex is for Adults”, says that sex education does many great things , except for the one thing we want it to do, make our children more responsible. (Hopkins 589).

She feels as though the information that students are receiving is not having any influence on them. The feeling that sex education classes are influencing teenagers to have sex is a feeling that is shared by William Kilpatrick. He states that “as the statistics show, American teenagers are living up to expectation. They are having more sex and using more condoms” (Kilpatrick 597). These two individuals, along with many others, feel that sex education is doing more harm then it is good. Teenage sexual activity has been raising steadily for more than two decades until now. A recent survey shows the first drop since the nineteen seventies.

In 1990 girls that had engaged in sexual intercourse was at fifty-five percent, until 1995 when it dropped to fifty percent. The percentage of boys engaging in sexual intercourse also dropped by five percent. The use of condoms have tripled since the 1970’s showing people are being safer about sex (Vobejda et al. A1). A poll done by Reuter’s show that eighty-two percent of the people who participated in the survey supported sex education in schools (Yahoo). Studies obviously show that sex education courses are helping today’s teenagers to become more responsible for their own actions.

The information that sex education provides teenagers is indispensable. Schools are meant to educate our children in not just one topic but all topics. “Why would anyone on the state Board of Education not want to cover something comprehensively? Do we take that approach with history or math? ” says Denice Bruce of Wichita, Kansas (Associated Press). Sexually educating our children is just important if not more important than math or history because sex education can mean the difference between life and death of your child.