Importance of Sex Education for Teens

For healthy growth and development it is important that most of the information and curiosity on sex and it’s related topics is imparted by a parent or a peer. But this rarely happens especially in India. Most children in India get most of this information from books, magazines, pornographic websites and various other sources. This leads to misconcepts and does more harm than actually good.

Sex education teaches the following topics-

Human anatomy (both of male and female)

Human reproduction through sexual intercourse 

Pregnancy 

How to practice Safe sex

Measures for Birth control

Sexual orientation

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS

Several countries in Asia like India have made an effort to incorporate sex education as part of the academic curriculum. This is done with the view that information through proper sources can guide our children better.

Why sex education?

With changing times it has become necessary that we impart sex education to our teenagers. In teenage the physical changes particularly so in the sex organs and hormonal changes taking place in the body makes them curious to explore these changes. Added to all this, the increased amount of exposure through television, books, internet makes them impulsive to try what is forbidden. The 'sexual arena' is a hot topic among the adolescence currently and the absence of proper supervision can result in more harm than good.

Sex education to the teens can help to

Avoids or decreases the incidence of teenage pregnancies. It makes them aware of the repercussions of teenage pregnancy on their health, education, future, as well as that of the fetus.

Stresses on self-restraint

Even if they do indulge in sexual intercourse the awareness of contraceptive methods, including the use of condoms helps to decrease the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancies.

Prevent or decrease the rate of sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, non-gonoccocal urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease and syphilis

Can help to prevent, control or decrease the HIV/AIDS

In the current scenario sex education to the teens should be considered as the responsibility of every parent and teacher. It is better for the children get the right information from parents, peers or teachers than from books, magazines, pornographic websites and various other sources. This leads to misconcepts and does more harm than actually good. Right information can enlighten a teenager regarding the hazards of sexual intercourse and related health problems.  You should make your child conscious of the fact that “it is better to be safe than sorry.”

Sex education in schools

Sex education to the teens is important and should be considered as the responsibility of every parent and teacher. Studies have shown that effective sex education to adolescence in school can increase the age at which they experiment with sex.

However in India sex education in school has not yet become an accepted part of the curriculum and comprehensive sex education in schools still remains a subject of intense debate.

Certain schools have introduced novel health and hygiene workshops that handle issues like health foods, usage of sanitary napkins, human anatomy and human reproduction. But the education system in India is still has disagreement about conducting workshops and programs within the school premises on sex education.

Sex education to the teens can help to

Avoids or decreases the incidence of teenage pregnancies.

Increase self-restraint

Increase their awareness and usage of contraceptive methods, including the use of condoms

Prevent or decrease the rate of sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, non-gonoccocal urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease and syphilis

Can help to prevent, control or decrease the HIV/AIDS

WHO considers that sex education should be given to all children who are 12 and above. The increasing incidence of teenage pregnancies and HIV in India makes it important that we give our children sex education so that they get the right information rather than misconcepts.

Parents and sex education

Parents and the conservative elements of the society consider that sex education to our children in the schools and from parents would make them more liberated and increase their indulgence in sexual intercourse. But the increasing rate of teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV has made this an important issue to be considered.

In the current scenario sex education to the teens should be considered as the responsibility of every parent and teacher. It is better for the children get the right information from parents, peers or teachers than from books, magazines, pornographic websites and various other sources. This leads to misconcepts and does more harm than actually good. For healthy growth and development it is important that most of the information and curiosity on sex and it’s related topics is imparted by a parent or a peer.

Right information can enlighten a teenager regarding the hazards of sexual intercourse and related health problems.  You should make your child conscious of the fact that “it is better to be safe than sorry.” In a country like India where severe social stigma been attached to unwed teen pregnancies it is important that we have good sex education programs for our teenagers.

Is sex education effective?

Yes sex education effective to the teenagers is effective. Studies have shown that comprehensive sex education can benefit young adolescence considerably.

Sex education to the teens can help to

 
Avoids or decreases the incidence of teenage pregnancies.

Increase self-restraint on indulgence in sex

Increase their awareness and usage of contraceptive methods, including the use of condoms

Prevent or decrease the rate of sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, non-gonoccocal urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease and syphilis

Can help to prevent, control or decrease the HIV/AIDS

Educating the teenager about sex assist them to deal with peer pressure and teaches them the art of communication and negotiation. It makes them more confident and gives them assertive skills, crucial in their dealings with peers. Some people consider that sex-education and the information provided in it may liberate the adolescence and make to indulge in sexual intercourse more frequently. However several studies have shown that this is not true. Sex education does not make teenagers more promiscuous and it does not increase their indulgence in sexual intercourse. On the contrary, it delays the age at which adolescence may experiment with sex and increases the use of condoms.

10 Online Sex Education Resources for Teenagers

What’s the right age to impart sex education? Globally, nobody seems to have a handle on that. Because of cultural and social differences, an absolute global standard is difficult to set. But what’s easier and more essential to agree upon is the importance of imparting sex education on impressionable minds.

But how and where to begin has halted many well intentioned campaigns that seek to promote teen health. Many research studies have found that the majority of sex education for teens do not come from parents or other qualified sources. It generally comes from peers and media.

This is a huge risk in the age of HIV and AIDS. More danger in the form of unwanted pregnancies and abortions lurk around.

If prevention has to be the first step towards a cure, imparting quality sex education should be on top of the agenda. Parents may hesitate because of shyness. Educators can be hamstrung by rules. The way towards precise and accurate facts is present in the rich informational resources found on the web.

These online informational sex education resources are not meant to replace consultation with health care professionals. But they can help to set facts and doubts straight about the birds and the bees.

Scarleteen

Scarleteen is one of the most prevailing young adult sex education sites around. It is also one of the broader sites on the topic from introductory articles to interactive discussions. You can use the search to get around to the topic of interest or the whole page of tags.

Being a decade old site, the site has covered a lot of sex educational Q&A’s. For a peculiar problem, the message boards are a great help. For even quicker solutions, you can even text Scarleteen if you are located in the United States. A database on finding quality healthcare on sexual problems is in the works.

Sex Etc

The Sex Etc website is the online avatar of their national magazine. The site has 16 topic areas covering information on sex and relationships, pregnancy, STDs, birth control, sexual orientation, and more. The sex education website has the tagline ““ sex education by teens, for teens. The site has a videos section.
Though the collection is small, they address the main problem areas. A unique feature is the Comix & Quizzes section which combines sex education with engaging graphics.

Planned Parenthood (Teen Talk)

The Planned Parenthood website is just the online face of a leading US community healthcare provider. With 88 unique, locally governed affiliates and more than 840 health centers in the Unites States; they have the means to educate on reproductive and sexual health. Their Teen Talk section is where teen related sexual health issues find a place.

On the landing page, you get a link that goes to Tools for Parents and another that leads to Tools for Educators. Videos, animations, and an Ask the Expert section round off an extremely well designed site. Social Networking buffs can also connect with Planned Parenthood groups on Facebook and MySpace.

Like It Is

LikeItIs leans towards Australia and the United Kingdom. It is a part of Marie Stopes International, the international NGO that works on sexual and reproductive Health worldwide. LikeItIs covers topics like teenage pregnancy, help and advice, periods, STD, sex, peer pressure, sexuality, contraception, and puberty. The site is interactive with a quiz section that tests your sexual I.Q. Locker Room is where you find out common misconceptions and rants that go on with teenagers. The Peer Pressure page is a must read because that’s what teenagers face the most.

It’s Your Sex Life

It’s Your Sex Life is the official website of MTV and the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Emmy Award winning It’s Your (Sex) Life public information campaign. MTV is an online destination for many youth. The channel seeks to combine that with information on teen related sex and relationship FAQs.

The content is straight to the point. For instance, you have a What Works/What Doesn’t chart to prevent unwanted pregnancies and STDs. The Get Yourself Talking section gets more interactive with videos, discussions and interactive participation. The site also has an easy-to-use testing center locator, for searching out the nearest STD testing center to your location.

Go Ask Alice

Go Ask Alice is a Q&A website from the Health Services at Columbia University. The archives are a storehouse of nearly 3000 previously asked questions on health issues. The Q&A forum covers issues on relationships, sexuality, sexual health, emotional health, fitness, nutrition, alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs, and general health.

You can ask questions and get answers from anywhere in the world, and anonymously. The solutions come from qualified sex education professionals in public health, health education, medicine, and counseling.

TeenSource

TeenSource was setup as an online resource for teen related issues by the California Family Health Council. The site caters to the age group of 13-24. Though with a focus on California, the site can be referenced by anyone. Some of its features like the text messaging service (Hookup), privacy and reproductive health care rights info, clinic finder, and special contests are relevant for Californian youths only. TeenSource also runs a video channel on YouTube.

Young Women’s Health

The website covers general health issues with a specific focus on young girls. From guides on nutrition to those on sexuality and emotional health, the site is full of carefully researched information. Check out the quizzes section. The website is a collaboration between the Division of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine and the Division of Gynecology at Children’s Hospital Boston.

Advocates for Youth

Advocates for Youth is a web resource where you won’t get straight-up answers on sex education. The organization gives direction to issues like HIV, sexuality education, emergency contraception, teenage pregnancy prevention and more, through its programs and policies.

The site seeks to encourage youth participation and awareness on the above mentioned issues. It’s an important place to see if society is showing any change towards topics which are often thought of as controversial.

SIECUS

The 44-year-old organization in its own words promotes comprehensive education about sexuality, and advocates the right of individuals to make responsible sexual choices. The non-governmental organization has a broad scope from training educators to empowering individuals. Online, the NGO provides websites like the SexEdLibrary. The online library is a good web resource for lessons and class plans on sexuality education for educators.

These ten online resources are the pick of the ones from the many you will find with a search. Do you have any other website to add to the list that furthers quality sex education among teens and young adults?

Sex organ

Men and women have different sex organs.

The sex organs, which scientists call the genitalia or genitals, are the parts of the body that allow sexual reproduction (the making of young) to take place. They are also for urination (peeing), to remove waste products from the body. While all animals have sex organs, this article is about the sex organs of human beings.

The genitals are the main parts of the human body that make men and women different. Some parts of the genitals are outside the body, while other parts are inside. In a man, his external genitals are the penis and the scrotum (a bag that contains the testicles). Inside his body the testicles produce sperm and a substance called testosterone which makes a person grow into a man and to feel like a man. Other glands produce a fluid called semen. The part of a woman's genitals that is outside her body is called the vulva. Inside her body are the vagina, which holds the penis during sexual intercourse; the uterus (womb), in which a baby grows when the woman is pregnant; the ovaries, which produce ova (egg cells) and a substance called estrogen which makes a person grow into a woman and to feel like a woman; and the Fallopian tubes, which connect the ovaries to the uterus.

If a man and a woman want to reproduce sexually, they have to engage in sexual intercourse. This involves placing the man's erect penis into the woman's vagina. The vagina rubs and puts pressure on the penis, which makes the man have an orgasm. During his orgasm the man ejaculates, and his semen flows into the woman. If a sperm in the semen reaches the woman's Fallopian tubes and fuses with an ovum, this causes the woman to become pregnant. A man and woman can also have sexual intercourse for pleasure, without wishing to have a baby. Men and women, and gay couples (two women or two men) can also use their sex organs in other ways for pleasure.

Description

The sex organs are the parts of the body that allow sexual reproduction (the making of young) to take place. They are also for urination (peeing), to remove waste products from the body. All animals have some kind of sex organs. This article is about the sex organs of human beings. In humans, the sex organs are in the lower abdomen, at the part of the body where the legs join the torso.

The scientific name for the sex organs is genitalia or genitals. They are also commonly called the reproductive organs. The genitals include both organs that can be seen on the outside of the body (the primary genitalia or external genitalia), as well as internal organs (the secondary genitalia or internal genitalia). Sometimes, however, the words genitalia or genitals are used to refer only to the external sex organs. The sex organs are informally referred to as the private parts or privates.

Males and females have different sex organs. In fact, the genitals are the main parts of the human body that make men and women different.

Men

This picture shows a man's external and internal sex organs

A man's genitals are made up of many parts. The parts that can be seen on the outside of a man's body are his penis, which is shaped like a banana or a sausage; and his scrotum, which is a bag that hangs beneath the penis and contains the two testicles.

Inside a man's body, the testicles make tiny cells called sperm, which are needed for sexual reproduction. The testicles also make a hormone called testosterone. This is a chemical that makes a person grow into a man and feel like a man. The testicles are glands, which are special parts of the body that make chemicals. Other glands that make up the genitals are the prostate, seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands (also called the Cowper's glands). Together, these glands make a white, sticky fluid called semen that sperm float in. Finally, a man's body contains ducts (tubes) such as the two vasa deferentia or ducta deferentia, which carry sperm out of the testicles; and the urethra, which carries semen through the penis and out of the body. The urethra also carries urine away from the bladder.

In reproduction the job of the penis is to carry sperm from the testicles into a woman's body so that a sperm can join together with the woman's ovum (egg cell) to form a new cell that will grow into a baby. The process of fusion of a sperm and an ovum is called fertilization. A man's penis is usually soft, quite short and hangs down. When a man becomes aroused (sexually excited), the inside of his penis fills with blood. This causes the penis to become bigger, thicker and harder and to stand upright, and is called having an erection. When a man has an erection, he is able to have sexual intercourse by putting his penis into a woman's vagina. During an erection, a valve stops urine from entering the urethra so that only semen flows along it. This is why it is very difficult for a man to urinate when he is having an erection.

Young boys can have erections, but their bodies do not start producing sperm until they have reached puberty. This usually happens when they are in their teens.

Women

This picture shows a woman's internal sex organs

The part of a woman's genitals that is on the outside of her body is called the vulva. The main parts of the vulva are two sets of fleshy "lips" called the labia. The outer labia can be seen at the front of the woman's body. On an adult woman, they are generally covered with some hair. Between the outer labia are the inner labia which do not have hair and are very sensitive. At the front of the inner labia is the outside part of the clitoris which is covered by the clitoral hood. During sexual intercourse, the clitoris gives feelings of pleasure to the woman.

Most of a woman's genitals are tucked inside her body. Behind the labia is a tube called the vagina, which cannot be seen on the outside of the body. (People often incorrectly use the word vagina to refer to the vulva.) When a man and a woman have sexual intercourse, the man's penis is placed into the woman's vagina. When a woman menstruates (has her menstrual period), blood and other fluid from the uterus pass out from her body through the vagina. If a woman uses a tampon (a specially-made wad of material) to absorb this fluid, she puts it into her vagina. The vagina is also called the birth canal, because when a pregnant woman has a baby, it passes through the vagina.

Like a man, a woman has a tube called the urethra connecting the bladder to the vulva through which urine is removed from the body. The opening of the urethra is between the clitoris and the opening to the vagina.

In many women, the opening of the vagina is partly or completely blocked by a thin tissue called the hymen. Some women are born without a hymen. The hymen usually breaks when a woman has sexual intercourse for the first time, causing some bleeding. In some cultures, a broken hymen is taken as a sign that a girl has had sex. However, a broken hymen is not a clear sign of sexual intercourse because other activities such as exercise can also cause the hymen to break. In some women, the hymen may remain unbroken even after sex.

At the top of the vagina is the cervix which is a ring of muscle separating the vagina from the uterus or womb. The cervix allows menstrual fluid to flow from the uterus into the vagina, and during sexual intercourse it allows semen from a man's penis to flow from the vagina into the uterus. The uterus is a very muscular and stretchy organ in which babies grow during pregnancy. When a woman is not pregnant, each month the lining of the uterus grows thicker, then breaks down, causing her to menstruate. Connected to the top of the uterus are two Fallopian tubes, on the left and right. These tubes join the uterus to the two ovaries. The ovaries produce ova, or egg cells, that are needed for reproduction. Each month, an ovum travels from one of the ovaries into a Fallopian tube. If, after the woman has had sexual intercourse with a man, the ovum fuses with a sperm and implants in the wall of the uterus, the woman will become pregnant. The ovaries also produce the female hormone estrogen which causes a person to grow into a woman and to feel like a woman.

Young girls do not start producing ova and menstruating until they have reached puberty. Like boys, this usually happens in their teens. Once a woman starts menstruating, she is capable of becoming pregnant.

Reproduction, sexual intercourse and masturbation
The sex organs or genitals are used for sexual reproduction and for sexual intercourse. For sexual reproduction to happen, a man and a woman need to have sexual intercourse with each other. A man's penis becomes erect when he is aroused, for example when he sees a naked woman or is touched by her. When a woman is aroused, her clitoris and vulva also swell, and the inside of her vagina produces mucus, a substance that makes it slippery. To reproduce, the man places his penis inside the woman's vagina and moves it backwards and forwards. The woman may also move her hips back and forth, or in a circular motion. The friction caused by this movement, together with the warmth and pressure of the vagina, causes the man to have pleasurable feelings in the penis, which grow stronger and stronger. When the feelings are at their strongest, the man is said to be having an orgasm. At this point, muscles in the man's body contract strongly again and again to push semen through the urethra. The semen then ejaculates or shoots out from the end of the penis into the woman's vagina. The woman may also have an orgasm, which causes the vagina to tense up and relax repeatedly. Scientists are not sure why women have orgasms. Some believe that the orgasm helps the sperm in the man's semen to swim up the vagina into the cervix, so that it is more likely that a sperm cell will fuse with an egg cell. Others think that the female orgasm causes the vagina to hold on to the penis more tightly, which makes sex more exciting for the man and causes him to ejaculate more quickly or to produce more semen; or that it encourages a woman to have sex more often as it feels good. Both of these events would make pregnancy more likely to happen. After the man has ejaculated, the blood flows out of his penis and it becomes smaller and soft again.

Sometimes, a man and a woman may have sexual intercourse because it gives them pleasure, without wishing for the woman to become pregnant. They may try to stop fertilization from happening by using methods of contraception or birth control. Common methods of birth control include the man wearing a condom on his penis, and the woman taking birth control pills that stop her ovaries from releasing egg cells.

Apart from the man putting his penis into the woman's vagina, the sex organs can be used in other ways in sexual intercourse. The man and woman can rub each other's sex organs with their hands. They can use sex toys such as dildos or vibrators. They can also engage in oral sex. When a man uses his mouth, lips and tongue to touch a woman's clitoris and vulva, this is called cunnilingus. When a woman uses her mouth, lips and tongue to touch a man's penis, this is called fellatio. A man can also put his penis into a woman's anus. This is called anal sex.

People who are gay or homosexual also use their genitals to have sexual intercourse with each other. Two women can rub each other's sex organs, put sex toys into them, or perform oral sex on each other. Two men can also rub each other's sex organs, or perform oral sex or anal sex on each other.

When a man strokes his own penis or a woman rubs her clitoris and vulva in order to feel good or to reach orgasm, this is called masturbation.

Urination

The sex organs are also used for urination, which is one of the ways in which the body removes waste products. Both men and women have a bladder, which is an organ that stores urine. In a man, a thin tube called the urethra passes from his bladder right through his penis. In a woman, the urethra opens into the vulva. When a person urinates, urine flows from the bladder through the urethra and out of the body.