Sex education in school: preventing unwanted pregnancy in adolescents

Abstract

Sexual activity during adolescence may represent a risk for young women's quality of life as well as their health. This practice can result in early pregnancy, abortion, AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The need for sexual education in order to identify and prevent the risk factors of an unwanted pregnancy during adolescence becomes increasingly clearer. In order to accomplish this purpose all segments of society shall be convened. If the goal is educating, informing or, even better, forming, then the school stands out from among the other reference groups because this is its essential role. A few basic principles should be established for the success of the educators' actions. Perhaps the most important one being not only to base sexual education on the use of preservatives and contraceptive methods, but rather on rescuing the individual as a result of his/her own actions. This favors the development of a sense of citizenship, respect, commitment, self-care and care for others.