Most states offer sex education to adolescents at some point during middle school or early high school. These sessions are often conducted during a health or anatomy class and they are often divided by gender. However, some states advocate co-ed sex education classes, though there is a risk of embarrassment for some of the children.

Sex education is designed to teach children about the human body, pregnancy, and consequences of unprotected sex. The sessions do not advocate sex, but rather teach teens how to be safe for when the time does come. Some classes even teach young women how to avoid rape and where to get help is someone does abuse them in such a way.

The problem is that not all parents advocate sex education classes. There are a number of reasons. First, parents might feel that their child is too young or that they would rather take it upon themselves to teach about sex and safety. Sex education classes also do not sit well with families who advocate abstinence until marriage, due to religious beliefs.

Some people are also afraid that sex education advocates sex, or may give children sexual ideas and inclinations. Given the subject matter, the classes may instead turn children off from having sex too young. During the class, children are exposed to pictures of STDs, the idea of teen pregnancy, and rape. Such images or ideas are not likely to conjure sexual motives in children.

For these reasons, children are required to gain parental consent in the form of writing before attending the classes. Before considering banning your child from a class, talk to the teacher about the lesson plans and offer your concerns. Also consider the consequences of not letting your child attend class. He or she may miss out on some valuable information about STDs, pregnancy, safety, and a number of other issues.