In 1914 the first sexual education video was published to the public. It was entitled “Damaged Goods” and centralized on the importance of abstinence. In the following years and history of sexual education videos focusing on abstinence and the male perspective was the central theme found (Mirk). Years late, the US Public Health Service provided a statement in the 1940’s reinforcing the importance of sex education in schools (Lee). A decade later, the American Medical Association worked with National Education Association to create a series of information booklets based on the topic. The booklets were heavily controlled by their time frame (such as some contraceptives were illegal in some states and thus not discussed.) However, the booklets provided the beginning foundation of sex education in America schools. By the 1980’s, ninety percent of American schools offered a sex education program to their students. In 1981, abstinence groups began to rise …show more content…
According to the Journal of the Southern Baptist Convention abstinence only education supporters began to rise in the 1990’s. A supporting view on abstinence based education stated “First, sex produces babies. Sexual abstinence prevents pregnancy. Abstinence-until-marriage — and faithfulness after marriage — not only protects against sexually transmitted diseases, it gives young people a stronger platform from which to pursue their dreams and goals. It's a winning proposition!” on FocusOnTheFamily’s website.
Proponents of abstinence education argue that abstinence is the totally affective way to prevent unwanted effects of sexual activity. A tactic used by abstinence educators is a “virginity pledge”. They have been found effective to delay the sexual activity of those who sign them by eighteen months (Stokely) .
Supporters of comprehensive sexual education believe that abstinence only education is not the only choice and poses health risks. Supporters argue that contraception and how to choose the right one for each situation are important to the education