Sex educationSex education informs young people about what they need to know about sex and its risk factors. Sex education taught in schools does not just talk about sex, but makes students aware of sexual reproduction, health and sexuality. Are teenagers being exposed to sex education too early? At what age should this topic be introduced to children? It is believed that school age children engaging in sexual activity are on the increase, however statistics and media say otherwise. “A significant decline among students, where the percentage of sexually active dropped from 59% in 1991 to 41% in 2011 (Child Trends).” The purpose of this essay is not just to list the pros and cons, but to inform both parents and students why sex education needs to be taught in schools. Over the years the topic has gone through various changes in the public school system. The first generation taught sexual anatomy and pregnancy risk, but was soon criticized for not showing knowledge about reducing risky sexual behaviors, which soon led to the second generation (Rodriguez, 1). The second generation has approached sexual communication, values ​​and personal decisions in their lives; although students made smarter decisions in the areas taught, it failed to introduce teenagers to all contraceptives, so risky behavior was still displayed. Following the failure of the second generation, the “abstinence only” program began. The problem is that it not only made students aware of the contraception available to children, thus encouraging risky behavior. The most current generation, practice taught in schools today, is known as “comprehensive sex education”; not only encourages young adults… middle of paper… to delay sexual debut among younger adolescents (Kirby). Parent and many others think differently; but recent statistics show that sex education is somewhat beneficial to the school system. Works CitedFacts on American Teens' Sources of Information About Sex. “Facts on American Teens' Sources of Information About Sex. Np, nd Web. March 18, 2014 “Have better sex.” Np, nd Web. March 18, 2014. “Myths and facts about sex education.” Controversy.” USATODAY.com. NP, July 10, 2002. Web. March 18, 2014."Sex education." International Encyclopedia of Marriage; Family. 2003, MONICA RODRIGUEZ, JEFFREY P. MORAN and "Sexual Education". Dictionary of American History. 2003. “Sexuality Education.” Encyclopedia.com, January 1, 2003. Web. 2014.