Kathy Yu
Dr. Lori Vos
WRIT 125
4 April 2016
The Benefits of the New Sex Education Curriculum in Ontario
In September 2015, a new sex-education curriculum was implemented in Ontario public
schools. The new curriculum allows students to learn about sexual health at an earlier age and also
teaches students about gender identity. According to the new curriculum, in Grade 1, students will
learn the names of body parts. In Grade 2, students will learn the concept of sexual consent. In Grade
3, the concepts of gender identity will be presented, and in Grades 4 to 5, puberty will be discussed.
Education about sexual intercourse will take place in Grade 6 (Canadian Press 2015). In Grade 7
and 8, gender identity and sexual orientation will be discussed. In contrast, the old curriculum
implemented in 1998 waited until Grade 8 to explain sexual intercourse and did not talk about sexual
orientation at all (Lee 2015). This move has been applauded by some and opposed by others. In
Thorncliffe Park public school, nearly 700 students, about half of the school’s population, refused to
go to school as a way to protest against the new curriculum.
Despite many people remaining close minded on the subject, there is overwhelming evidence
on the benefits derived from sexual education being introduced to children at an earlier age. The
benefits associated with the new sex education curriculum clearly outweigh the drawbacks. Exposing
kids to sex education early will decrease their chances of having unprotected sex later in
adolescence, thus reducing the incidences of sexually transmitted diseases and unintended
pregnancies. Allowing kids to learn about sex and consent at an early age will reduce the incidences
of child sexual abuse. Lastly, teaching the students about gender identity at a younger age will reduce
the stigma against LGBTs, and will increase the physical and mental health of the sexual minorities.
Giving students sexual education at an earlier age will reduce the rates of unprotected sex.
Studies (Kirby 2002) have shown that early exposure to sexual education increases the use of
condoms and contraceptives by forty percent and reduces the rates of unprotected sex by sixty
percent. The same studies also show that for every dollar spent on sexual education, $2.65 in
medical and social costs are saved. It is also demonstrated that there is a statistically significant delay
in the timing of first sex for those who are exposed to sexual education early. And it is shown
statistically that who receive early sexual education tend to have fewer sexual partners and are more
likely to engage in monogamous relationships later on in life.
The use of contraceptives and condoms, and engaging in monogamous relationships will
reduce incidences of sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancies. Many sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs), such as HIV, hepatitis C and D, will chronically impact the victims. The
victims are trapped in their conditions and they will usually not live up to their full life span. It will also
