Importance Of The Sex Education In Cameroon Research Paper

Importance Of The Sex Education In Cameroon - Research Paper Example The link between knowledge and an informed stance is very clear and education is the primary basis of grooming children to give them the knowledge to make informed decisions. It is very simple to point the culprit of HIV and teen pregnancies; the lack of sex education. Therefore, schools or special projects must introduce programs to increase awareness on these issues at a basic level. Consequences of unprotected sex must be told to children so that they can make an informed stance. They need to make decisions and understand the grave nature of their actions. The lack of this education has led to the current situation with increasing rates of HIV and teen pregnancies. As of 2010, 14.23 percent teens in the 10 to 19 years age group represent teen pregnancies (Tebeu et al., 2010). The rise in teen pregnancies, in particular, suggests that teens are involved in sexual experimentation without adequate knowledge of the consequences. Peer pressure is also a major factor to spread the acts of unprotected sex by following a larger group. Teens making uninformed decisions can only lead to the spread of the problem by making others follow in their footsteps. Students who deal with low self-esteem and confidence are more likely to be influenced by peer pressure (â€Å"HIV & AIDS,† 2011). There has to be a barrier to stop or reduce this effect. These peers replace the role of what sex education is supposed to provide. Instead of getting reliable information, teens follow their unguided fellows. The responsibility for the lack of this knowledge falls on the parents and the education system. They are the two main factors involved in grooming teens and imparting necessary knowledge before they form adults. Furthermore, parents are often hesitant to discuss sex with teens and it is against the culture to discuss sex within family norms (Cormier, 2013).