In many cultures globally, discussions involving sexual matters are viewed as a taboo. Parents often feel uncomfortable talking about sex, more so to their teenage children. Yet, sex is a normal process of development in human beings. Nonetheless, it is very important that young people get equipped with sexual education in order to preserve the family and societal values as well as uphold a culture that is balanced. Sexuality is an inbuilt aspect in human beings which is reflected differently in various people at varied stages.
For that reason, if young people are not educated on sexuality, there are high chances of them getting this information from other sources such as the media. Young people learn and comprehend development within their bodies including gender issues in the correct way. They also get to know better the rights to reproduction and changes that arise within the body as one grows; for instance, growing old, menopause physiology and teenage years. This information provides a foundation upon which reasoning is built by young people, who in the contemporary society are exposed to sexual graphics and literature over the media (Bruess & Greenberg, 2004).
Sexual education to young people makes them aware that the changes they are going through are normal and draws them to appreciate their own self. Parents should be the first teachers to children as they grow up; then when they go to school, the teachers conserve the initial education taught at home and train them how to carry on throughout their life. When sexual education starts in schools, it can have a problematic situation on the young people in comprehending their parents.
Consequently, they may go the extent of experimenting what they have been taught leading to pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (Bruess & Greenberg, 2004). Sexual education helps keep children from sexual abuse; many young children are physically abused even before they get to the teen age. Despite the increased number of reports on child abuse very little is being done to eliminate the vice. Some authors have attributed this to the fact it is a difficult happening within the society, therefore people do not want to believe that it can take place, hence the lack of enthusiasm in acknowledging the disadvantages of sexual abuse.
Many kinds of sexual abuse take place for instance: forcing children into sexual intercourse, improper touching and fondling. Reports indicate that infants as young as two months have been sexually abused; even though the most common age of child abuse is nine years. It has been indicated that majority of the abuses done on children are committed by individuals are usually close to the children, for instance relatives, teachers, parents, church members or even the preacher (Wass, 1998).
Surprisingly, the children do not inform any person since they feel that it is not appropriate to do so. Normally, it is usually hard for a child to discuss sexual issues with the parents, hence children fear telling parents even when they have been abused. But holding back traumatizes the children and the aftermath can last for the entire life of the victim. Young people need to be enlightened on sexuality and relationships so that they can be able to distinguish between good and bad.
Additionally, discussions involving sex creates freedom in the children to discuss about sexual issues hence they can easily seek for help from adults when abused sexually (Wass, 1998). Sex education is an efficient method through which the danger of contracting HIV/AIDS and STDs can be reduced. In a research carried out by the American Psychology Association, sexuality education programs that promote appropriate skills of communication, proper use of condoms and abstinence from sex, decrease the risks of contracting HIV/AIDS as well as setback the period of having sex.
In the same research it is indicated that at least a good number of adolescents involve in sexual intercourse before they reach the age of fifteen and majority of those who go on to be sexually active there is consistent use of condoms. Even though the young people have the worries of contracting HIV/AIDS, most of them cannot see themselves as potential victims who could get infected. Additionally, they do not know the kind of situation that can make them vulnerable to the illness (Willenz, 2005).