Human sexuality can be fascinating, complex, contradictory and sometimes frustrating. Sexuality is intertwined in every aspect of being human; therefore, having knowledge about sex is as essential as having education about human anatomy. However, it is strongly recommended to be very careful when imparting sexual education to young people. (Donatelle 171) What and when do American parents want their children to think about sex? This is an ongoing question that parents try to find the best answer to, so they can educate their children about sexuality in order to build a solid foundation for sexual health. Sex education, as understood today, was unknown until about 200 years ago. ago. Since children participated in almost all adult work, sexual knowledge was automatically acquired along with all other knowledge. The “facts of life,” such as bathing, sleeping together naked, discussing pregnancy, and giving birth at home have never been a secret. Therefore, the idea that parents or other communities such as schools have a responsibility to teach young people about sex is a modern concept. In other words, the formal sex education movement began in the early 20th century, when families began growing up in cities rather than on farms. During that time, American reformers were among those who were most focused on the dangers of the twin anxieties known as medical and moral decline, which resulted from the lack of sexual education among young people in society (Moran). With new outbreaks of sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, and the fact that sexually active people are getting younger, sex has become an everyday topic. Before the end of the 19th century, children in the United States practiced sex... ... half of the sheet .......eration. (Sexual Education)Works Cited1. Banks, Sandy. “When Middle School Is Too Late for Sex Education.” Los Angeles Times February 6, 2010.2. Donatelle, Rebecca. “Access to health”. 11th edition. San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings, 1950: 171 and 207-210.3. Johannah, Cornblatt. “The sin of giving in to impure desire.” Newsweek. , October 28, 2009. Newsweek. April 12, 20114. Morran, Jeffery. "Sex education." faqs.org. 2008. The Gale Group.12 April 2011.5. NCSL. “State policies on sex education in schools.” 2011.Guttmacher Institute. 12 April 20116. “Sexual education”. Wikipedia. 2011. Wikipedia Foundation Inc.. 12 April 2011