NYC parents argue about proper sexual education for students

While many people hold different opinions regarding the best way to educate children about sexual health, statistics show that young people are lacking in important information regarding sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The Centers for Disease Contol and Prevention reports that STD rates are highest among people between the ages of 15 and 24, and people as young as 12 have been reporting infections.

Recently, there has been a heated sexual education discussion in New York City, as parents of students in this area remain divided about what children should be taught regarding safer sex. CBS News reported on the debate, which has one group calling for kids as young as 11 to be shown how to properly put on a condom, and another group advocating abstinence-only.

“We are not asking the city to stop offering sex education. We are asking the city to offer medically-accurate, evidence-based, abstinence-centered education as an alternative for parents who prefer it,” said the Chiaroscuro Foundation’s Greg Pfundstein, quoted by the news source.

This spring will mark the first time sex ed has been taught in NYC public schools in 20 years.