Video/Visual Image Critique - Sex Education

Stepfanie McCaffrey
November 24th, 2008
Persuasive Writing
TR 10:10 – 11:30
Semester Project
Visual/Video Critique

The original visual image I found perfectly went along with my semester topic of sex education. I feel the image of the pair of girls jeans with a padlock attached to the button is very effective and eye catching. The copy on the image adds a great deal of effectiveness in really explaining the dilemma occurring in public schools with the idea of sex education. The government currently only funds abstinence only sex education after a law was passed supporting that idea. Even with this law being implemented in schools, teenage pregnancy rates are rising. The majority of parents say that they would prefer a more comprehensive form of sex education to be taught to their children. Therefore, is the current form of sex education really educating and protecting the health of our youth, or is it just for the good of the government?
Another image I found also ties well into the current sex education predicament. The image is very simple and to the point, which I feel helps add to its effectiveness. This second image of the three students lined up with their grades shows that though students understand what they are being taught, it is not very effective when it comes to sex education. By telling them to abstain from sexual intercourse until marriage, they become rebellious and partake in these sexual acts. If students were educated properly on how to protect themselves if they do in fact engage in sexual acts, and the possible outcomes that came happen, such as pregnancy and STD’s.
The video I found was a satire created by students about sex education in schools. The video does a good representing the issue. In the beginning, the principal of the school is receiving phone calls from parents about the problems and ineffectiveness of the current sex education programs. The principal apologizes and says, “I recognize that there are some problems with our sex education program but overall it’s informative; it’s good. The students get to know what they need to know. They aren’t going to get to know what they don’t need to know, and what they don’t need to know is sex.” This statement clearly defines the current sex education programs that are being executed in our schools each day. Students are being taught what the government feels is important, instead of teaching them real life information that can inform, help and protect them.
The principal in the movie also complains that he does not want to revamp the sex education programs, even with the massive amounts of complaints he is receiving from parents and teachers. It is as if the government does not want our youth to be properly educated if they do perhaps partake in sexual intercourse before marriage. Why not actually inform our youth about the consequences and possible outcomes, instead of just telling them not to do it. By informing them about teen pregnancies and STD’s, our youth will most likely be more cautious when engaging in sexual activities. Perhaps teen pregnancy rates will decrease, and the amount of careless hookups occurring will decrease as well. One will not know until they try, so what harm is it to properly educate or students with comprehensive sex education.
Another video I found was from the Sudbury League of Women Voters. The speaker was Susan Fargo, the Chairman of Public Health. In this video, Fargo discusses the current sex education policies. She discusses the problems of teen pregnancies and STD’s, as well as young women being a part of abusive relationships at a juvenile age. Fargo believes that resources have to be made available so that our youth can make their own informative and correct decisions, and schools must provide those key tools. The rebuttal provided at the end of this video adds to the validity and strength of the argument being presented.
Sources:
Visual Image #1 - http://www.unmarriedamerica.org/members/news/2005/August-Images/abstain.jpg
Visual Image #2 - http://www.inkcinct.com.au/Web/CARTOONS/2007/2007-775-failing-sex-education.jpg
Video Link #1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQlgim7-_eM&feature=related
Video Link #2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SR2mVc7jI0