Foreign+Sexual+Education

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Sexual education in America commonly consists of education from peers, parents, educational institutions, and religious institutions. Sexual education can include the values, pleasure, decision-making, relationships, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), birth control, and communication aspects of sex in interpersonal relations (among other aspects). Sex education is commonly taught in a classroom setting, and this has become an accepted method in most western countries.======

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Sexual education in the US has been debated since the early 20th century due to the fact that many sex education courses include false information. This is especially true in many of the United States’ abstinence only education programs developed in schools not regulated by the government.======

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In the 1930s, sexual education was almost solely based on biology and ignored many of the psychosocial aspects of sex. Sexual education was commonly debated throughout the 20th century, even though countries with more conservative attitudes towards sex education (including the UK and the U.S.) have commonly higher rates of STIs, teen pregnancy, and contraception usage debates.======

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The AIDS epidemic of the late 20th century presented new urgency to the necessity of sexual education. Many African nations took sexual education as a public health strategy and also used it as a method to control the risk of overpopulation. This epidemic also prompted more discussion of sexual-related topics on television, in the workplace, and in schools. Such topics were no longer considered taboo, and were addressed worldwide due to rising rates of pre-marital and teenage pregnancies.======

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Sexual education in Africa is prominently focused on HIV/AIDS prevention, and treatment. Many governments focused their programs on contraception and the effects of the AIDS epidemic in Africa. However, the Global Gag Rule put into place by President Ronald Reagan significantly undercut the programs in developing countries and their communities. The Global Gag Rule "...required nongovernmental organizations to agree as a condition of their receipt of Federal funds that such organizations would neither perform nor actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in other nations” (New World Encyclopedia, 2008). Egypt is also known for having one of the most progressive sexual education programs in school when students are 12-14 years of age. Such programs are influenced and designed by UNICEF, the ministry of health, and the ministry of education. These programs mainly take a biological and STI prevention approach to such education.======

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 * Asia** India is known for having a large-scale debate on their sexual education programs, especially for the youth. Many claim it is against Indian values, culture, and many of the prominent religions of India (Monbiot, 2004). While they have sex education for youths aged 9-16, many argue it is too simplified and needs an increase in content. [[image:bangalore_sex_education_class_20070806.jpg align="right" caption="Students in Bangalore, India learn in a sexual education class."]]======

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Other countries such as Mongolia, Indonesia and South Korea have an established framework for sexual education also based on STI prevention, biological aspects and contraception. The International Planned Parenthood Federation and BBC World Service introduced a program called Sexwise, which discussed sex related topics such as family life, contraception, and parenting. Sexwise was first launched in Southern Asia and then shown worldwide.======

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In England, schools offer sexual education courses that focuse on reproductive systems, fetal development, changes in bodies during adolescence and emotional issues relating to sex. However, parents are permitted to refuse their children the opportunity to take part in these lessons, even though the U.K. has one of the most developed programs in Europe.======

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In Germany, sexual education in the classroom covers the changing of the body, emotions, sexual activity, homosexuality, unwanted pregnancies, abortions, sexual violence, STIs, and child abuse among many other things. There is also a commonly read youth magazine called “Bravo” that always covers questions about sexuality posed by teens. (New World Encyclopedia, 2008) Germany is known for having one of the earlier developed sexual education programs stemming from the 1970s. France is know for having schools that provide 30-40 hours of classroom sexual education that also has had a prominent program since the early 1970s.======

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Scotland is known for having a mix of abstinence-only and general sexual education programs. The government developed Healthy Respect, a program that addresses the reproductive system, emotions, contraception and communication. However, the refusal of Catholic schools to use such programs in their schools has led to the development of Call to Love, a program that promotes sex after marriage, abstinence only sex education, and does not cover contraception (New World Encyclopedia, 2008).======

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The Dutch and Swedish governments take an active role in developing their countries’ sexual education programs. The Netherlands has one of the lowest teenage pregnancy rates in the world, and the Dutch approach is often seen as a model for other countries. (UNESCO, 2007) Sweden’s sexual education program has been around since the mid-1950s, but both countries focuss their education around all aspects of sexual education and promote free flow of information on the topic. Communication issues in sex-related issues is emphasized as well.======

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Even with much progress in the U.K. and across Europe, the number of children born out of wedlock has doubled in the 27-nation block of European countries. “According to the EU's statistical agency, 35.1 percent of births in 2008 occurred outside of marriage. Mark Tooley, president of The Institute on Religion & Democracy (IRD), points out that Europe's more progressive approach to sex education does not seem to be working” (Jones, 2010). Many attribute this change to a lessening dependence to religious values.======

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While many religious conservatives in Asia and Europe believe that the longer teenagers are kept unaware of sexuality and sex-related issues, the less likely they will to become involved in sexual behavior. Many religious institutions and schools realize such topics are unavoidable, however, and therefore teach abstinence-only programs (PBS, 2005) However, the majority of those in progressive, western countries believe sexual education is key in the development of character.======

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Many European countries have significant debates on whether sex-education should be taught in schools or in the household. Many of those who advocate for such topics to be taught in the household “claim that some sex education curricula break down pre-existing notions of modesty and encourage acceptance of practices that those advocating this viewpoint deem immoral, such as homosexuality and premarital sex.” (New World Encyclopedia, 2008) However, the opposition to this view is more common and believes that schools should take a neutral and informative approach to educating youth about homosexuality, contraception, sex-communication, and STI prevention.======

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In general, countries with developed sexual education programs that incorporate free-flows of topics and thought have lower teen pregnancy rates (Netherlands: 8.1 per 1000 (New World Encyclopedia, 2008)). Adolescents have suggested that sex education should be more positive with less emphasis on anatomy and scare tactics. Input from youth is key in developing these programs because many teens argue that they should focus on negotiation skills in sexual relationships and communication. Details of sexual health clinics should be advertised in areas that adolescents frequent (school bathrooms, shopping centers) (DiCenso, 2002).======

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Senanayake, Pramilla. Involve The Young. International Planned Parenthood Federation Sexual Education. New World Encyclopedia. Published April 28. Accessed 04/09/11 http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Sex_education======