Comprehensive Sex Education Outperforms Abstinence-Only Approach for Teens

Abstract

Article Critique: “Comprehensive Sex Education for Teens Is More Effective   than Abstinence”       According to David Carter, the United States rates the highest among developed countries for teenage pregnancies and STDs, and he believes abstinence-only sex education is to blame. Carter points out that the more abstinence was stressed, the higher the pregnancy and STD rates were stressed. He goes on to say that nurses in adolescent health and school nurses are also believe  that providing comprehensive sexual health information to teenagers is appropriate and effective.  Carter’s  article, titled “Comprehensive Sex Education for Teens Is More Effective than Abstinence” was first seen in the American Journal of Nursing in March of 2012.      The topic of sex education is important because it is impacting the younger generation, and it can have a significant impact on the rest of their lives.  However, it is not an easy topic to discuss, and it has been a topic that has been argued by Americans for years. Sex education comes back to health as evident by this article being in a nursing journal. The article is intended for nurses, school nurses to be specific, but it could be found useful by teachers and/ or parents.  The author, David Carter, is educating school nurses, telling them that a more comprehensive approach is more effective, and they should feel comfortable in knowing that talking about contraceptives to their patients will not promote more teen pregnancies and STDs.      Carter’s writing style is well-reasoned and backed up with support by his research that includes a case study of forty-eight states, an interview with a nurse and an interview with a professor of nursing. The article is easy to follow, mainly because it is short and straight to the point. He simply tells the reader...