Document Type
Presentation
Publication Date
4-12-2010
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Eric Landrum
Abstract
Sexually transmitted disease rates are highest among young adults age 15-25. This age range puts high school and college students at the greatest risk to become infected with a life altering disease. Education is the key to helping prevent the spread of STDs, and there needs to be a strong sexual educational system in our nation’s school system to teach students the negative effects of not wearing a condom or practicing safe sex. Psych 101 students from Boise State University as well as community volunteers completed a 7 question survey that contained questions regarding their sexual knowledge and sexual behaviors. The results of this survey showed that although these young adults believe themselves to be knowledgeable about STDs and the importance of condoms they are still not using them all the time. Teens in our society who are choosing to be sexually active need to understand their decisions and the possible consequences; this cannot happen if a school is fixated on trying to teach abstinence as the only method of birth control. New educational practices should be implemented to go beyond what is currently being taught to show students just how badly STDs can affect your body and your life. Current curriculum should also be expanded on to further stress that condoms should be used during all sexual activity. Young adults need to be able to understand the negative effects of not wearing a condom far outweigh the benefits.