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absolutely!
i had comprehensive but age-appropriate sex-ed starting in 4th grade through 9th grade, some of which was reinforced in 11th grade IB/AP bio. you better believe i'm well educated as to the risks associated with being sexually active, the benefits of abstinence, the variety of different measures to protect myself from disease and pregnancy, and what to do (God forbid), if something fails.
i have two friends in college who did not have the benefit of such comprehensive education, and thus, as a 19 year old freshman, found myself assuring my friend that there was no human way possible that performing oral sex would result in pregnancy so long as none of the semen got anywhere near her vaginal opening and assuring another friend that bleeding after her first time was perfectly normal (she had had abstinence only education.) i have never felt so glad that i had the education i did as i did then.
knowing all there is to know has helped me make smart, informed decisions about my body and my health, and i think that's vital. sex shouldn't be turned into something taboo, teens should understand that if you have sex, you can get pregnant. but i think it is also important to emphasize the emotional/spiritual aspects of sex as well, because too many kids think it's something you can engage in casually and wind up hurt and damaged emotionally as a result.
overwhelming yes.
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