Papers....and Sex Education

I can enjoy a good paper every now and then....it can almost be satisfying...once its done. :S This semester has been the semester of papers unending! Well, I take that back, outside of Technical Writing 400 something, who really cares about the number, something upper division. I shudder as I recall its painfulness. I had a 25 page instructional manual due. It explained better building practices of Building Green. Boring? Oh believe me, it was. For some reason or another, I managed to save my paper to a temporary folder and didnt realize it; I beleive it happened in the shuffle of emailing my professor back and forth seeking help with revision. But two days before it was due, my computer went through its normal process of de-junking my computer files. :O You guessed it! I was right in the middle of typing out my Abstract when POOF, it vanished. I can't even begin to describe my hyperventilation. :S I somehow managed to stay up all night two days straight and somehow managed to get it in on time. I dont know how I pulled an A out of that class. I digress.

Anyway, This semester is a lot of writing, but I find that its intriguing subject matter. I was quite pleased with how it turned out. My assignment was to analyze the arguement in support of Abstinence-based Sex Education in America and suggest the flaws contained within. In addition, I was to develop the best method of Sex Education, using proven research as authority. There were 250 students in the class, only 10 A's were given, and I got one! I share this more out of sheer excitement than out of boasting. I'll share a portion, dont fall asleep, but if you must dont snore:

The debate surrounding sex education curriculum taught in schools has encountered controversy on many levels, the most critical being which content is most appropriate and crucial to incorporate into school curricula. All sides agree that the most important result should more effectively aid the reduction rate of teenage pregnancy and the spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). However, the most important facet of any argument lies in the presentation of reliable and valid conclusions by incorporating the adequate use of research methods. Lack of adherence to standard research protocol weakens and debilitates a claim of its potential validity. “School-Based Health Clinics and Sex Education” is a treatise that defends abstinence-centered sex education in schools. This essay examines three key weaknesses within the arguments of the treatise based on research methodology: correlation studies, statistical data, and exclusion of important in-text citations; it expresses and discusses a formal opinion on the subject of sex education in schools, reinforced by a peer-edited review, “A Multidimensional Approach to Sexual Education”(Mabray & Labrauve, 2002).

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Although imperfections and “flaws” have been identified in the presentment of research, I have come to understand that an abstinence-oriented foundation to sex education supplemented by need-based comprehensive material would best address the demands to help curtail pregnancy rates, reduce the spread of STDs, and provide adequate, appropriate sexual health information specific to the needs of individual groups of students. An abstinence-oriented foundation to sex education would guide school curricula in presenting the important information by segregating critical and detailed information tailored to student understanding, experience, and background. This would be directed under the scope of understanding the positive, long-lasting effects of abstinence, coupled with the dangers of promiscuity. My ideas have developed two-fold, from my own individual experiences through observation and my religious beliefs that sexual intercourse is intended only between man and wife within marriage (The Family, ¶ 4). Attending a high school where teen pregnancy and dropout rates were high and academic interest, financial income, and parental involvement was low; lead me to observe that each of these variables were involved in sexual education and could only be addressed individually and specifically within the construct of each District or region, and that a generalized federal program could not impact the specific affects aforementioned. My opinion is made valid by “A Multi-Dimensional Approach to Sexual Education”. Mabray & Labrauve (as cited in Carrerra, 1995) indicate, “The actual needs of local students and families must be assessed before a program can be implemented” (p. 8). Suggesting that in order to incorporate a comprehensive scope under the umbrella of Abstinence, many components of the community must be understood.
The study (2002) also states, “While acknowledging that teens should always be encouraged to abstain from sexual intercourse, the focus needs to include the sexually active adolescent [as well]” (as cited in Bean et al., 1998). In addition, factors of income, background, and academic status would be considered,
Those identified with the following at-risk indicators: female, lower-income family, lack of involvement in school, lack of performance in school, and number of previous pregnancies. According to Manlove (1998), school attachment is associated with a lower risk of school-age birth. Almost 60% of pregnant school-age teens drop out between the eighth and twelfth grades. High grades, high test scores, and high post-secondary expectations are associated with a reduced risk of school-age pregnancy (Mabray, 2002, p. 8).
In addition to validating my opinion-based observations, the studies indicated adhere to standard research reporting protocol. It is devoid of supposition-based inferences lacking citation; while each inference made has statistical data reported that explains the variables measured (Mabray & Labrauve 2002).

Well, now that you're all asleep, maybe you can think about what sex education to your children means to you and what you care or dont care about that is taught to your children in the classroom. I thought it was provoking material to analyze. Maybe my commentary will engage your mind and you'll want to know more! If not, glad you stopped and read what I had to say about it at least.

Inactive....

What a whilrlwind life! I fell in love, got engaged, and married. Im finishing up with my degree in December at BYU. Then were off to graduate school somewhere. (We'll start looking sometime during the summer). I am planning on starting up my blog again. So without further adieu, Ryan, the Red-head returns! Stay tuned for the exciting episodes that follow.