Mackenzie Sheldon | Opinion editor
Think back to your dreaded high school health class. You probably didn’t want to be there, but it taught you some pretty important things… right? Chances are, you were deprived of some crucial knowledge. Students attended a flawed health class that never went into depth on our reproductive health; especially for women.
Statistics show that only 30 states require sex education. Some of these states grant schools leeway on how they want to teach the topics. Meaning, teachers who wanted to leave some topics out had full range to do so. A flawed sex education that doesn’t talk about women's health can lead to confusion and frightened girls.
I interviewed a student from Massachusetts who had three separate health and wellness courses during high school, none of which taught in-depth women's health.
| “I didn’t know discharge and spotting were normal because I was never taught it.”
Connecticut Highschools
I had a similar experience at my high school in Connecticut. Each freshman student had to enroll in the Health and Wellness course, which incorporated all health topics such as STDs, Conctrecpetives, mental illnesses, and relationships. However, there were still many confused students, as menstruation was only lectured for a few classes, and we watched an hour-long labor video. Most girls in that class have started their periods, but we were watching a woman give birth instead of learning why our bodies go through this monthly cycle. Another irrelevant topic that was taught was dreams and why we have them. Students were not taught about menstruation cycle phases, gynecologist visits, infections and how to prevent them, or how to use female contraceptives.
I interviewed a student who attended a Connecticut high school. He stated he learned about drugs, STDs, and only touched on the topic of menstruation. The teacher who taught sex-ed was also the physical education teacher, which occurs in many schools. During classes, many of the questions asked had multiple logical answers, but the correct one was always abstinence.
| "I don't remember learning much about women"
Stop Teaching Abstinence-Only
An abstinence-only sex education can lead students to miss out on critical information. Studies show that 28 states require that abstinence be stressed, not just covered. A Duke study found that from 2015-2019, more American teens were told to remain abstinent or wait till marriage than had been told how to find birth control or condoms.
Make Sex-Ed Mandatory
All Sexual Education and Health and Wellness classes should be mandatory in every state. This course teaches teenagers about their bodies and how to be safe. United Nations Press Release states sexual and reproductive education is essential to population and development. A safe environment in the classroom can help give students the confidence to ask questions as well. Without an in-depth and inclusive education, students will not have the appropriate knowledge of sex and health.
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