Sex education. Final Project Poster. Communications & Media Research Paper

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Sex education
(Overview of Topic) The controversy surrounding sex education
Talk about sex has a long history of showing the wide gulf in views and beliefs among different cultures. The polarizing differences have made it difficult to find a common ground that allows sex education to enact its intended purpose in society. This culture war stems from the fear in some cultures that a sexual word has some form of corrupting power. For some, there is a belief that words can result in evil doing and that the evil will only be averted if the words are not uttered.
Schools have thus become the battleground for the war involving teachers, parents, and governments. What makes the discussion difficult is that all parties have valid reasons. For instance, parents will cite the following reasons for objecting to sex education. It is inappropriate to teach children about sex, it should be the parent’s obligation and choice to teach their children, there is no need for children to know about sex, and earning about sex will only make children more eager and curious about sexuality and sex. However, reproductive health problems such as HIV/AIDS, STI’s and unwanted pregnancies are still on the rise around the globe. Respective governments have a mandate to put up measures that prevent these situations with one of the measures being sex education.
(Historical background) “Sexual Revolution,” 1965–83
Interest in the history of sex education has grown with different scholars trying to get their say on the issue. Numerous books have been written on this topic especially in the 20th century that provides important insight. All these publications are centered around social history, women’s history, and gay and lesbian history. Such articles can be traced to as early as 1968 when eminent anthropologist, Ashley Montagu’s publication focused on female sexuality and the genius behind the invention of birth control pills. He hailed the invention but acknowledged that teachers will be crucial in guiding individuals in a world of sexual freedom. The sexual revolution would coincide with the human and technological revolution, Montagu predicted.
Mary Whitehouse was among the first people to caution against this direction implying that the recent changes would erode essential human traditions mainly, family, community, and personal responsibility. Consequently, she would spearhead a campaign to limit sexual imagery on the airwaves as well as sexual information in schools in the United Kingdom. In the years to come, the West, liberal intellectuals found a new gospel on the sexual revolution and called upon schools to preach the same. At the same time, conservatives in Europe and North America had a rallying call of their own coming together to defend old verities: faith, chastity, and authority CITATION Jon65 \l 1033 (Zimmerman).
(Lit Review) Sexual education in schools.
More insight is provided by an analysis of research by Malaysian professionals on the issues and barriers affecting the implementation of sexuality education in Malaysia This quantitative study involved 15 professionals working in the field of sexuality and reproductive health in Malaysia. ...