![]() Some states have enacted laws that offer broad guidelines around sex education, though most have no requirement that sex education be taught at all. The type of sex education model used can vary by school district, and even by school. ![]() Comprehensive programs also usually include information about healthy relationships, communication skills, and human development, among other topics. ![]() Sometimes must adhere to the 8-point federal definition ( Table 3).Ībstinence-“Plus” Education – Stresses abstinence, but also includes information on contraception and condoms.Ĭomprehensive Sex Education – Provides medically accurate age-appropriate information about abstinence, as well as safer sex practices including contraception and condoms as effective ways to reduce unintended pregnancy and STIs. Usually excludes any information about the effectiveness of contraception or condoms to prevent unintended pregnancy and STIs. Table 1: Types of Abstinence Education ProgramsĪbstinence-Only Education – Also called “Sexual Risk Avoidance.” Teaches that abstinence is the expected standard of behavior for teens. Other programs emphasize safe-sex practices and often include information about healthy relationships and lifestyles. Some programs, known as “abstinence-plus,” stress abstinence as the best way to prevent pregnancy and STIs, but also include information on contraception and condoms. Most generally, these programs include medically accurate, evidence-based information about both contraception and abstinence, as well as condoms to prevent STI transmission. Comprehensive sex education is more diversely defined. They generally do not discuss contraceptive methods or condoms unless to emphasize their failure rates. In general, abstinence-only programs, also known as “sexual risk avoidance programs,” teach that abstinence from sex is the only morally acceptable option for youth, and the only safe and effective way to prevent unintended pregnancy and STIs. These categories are broad, and the content, methods, and targeted populations can vary widely between programs within each model. There are two main approaches towards sex education: abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education ( Table 1). ![]() State Laws and Policies, as of May 1, 2018.įact sheet examines abstinence education programs, funding and impact on teen sexual behavior 18 states and DC require that when sex education is taught, information on contraception be provided.13 states require that the information taught in sex education be medically accurate.37 states require that when taught sex education must include abstinence, and 26 of which require that it be stressed.24 states and DC mandate sex education for youth.Text Box 1: State-Level Sex Education Policy This fact sheet reviews the types of sex education models and state policies surrounding them, the major sources of federal funding for both abstinence and safer sex education, and summarizes the research on impact of these programs on teen sexual behavior. Early action from the Trump administration has signaled renewed support for abstinence-only programming. The content of these programs, however, can vary considerably, from those that stress abstinence as the only option for youth, to those that address abstinence along with medically accurate information about safer sexual practices including the use of contraceptives and condoms. Many schools and community groups have adopted programming that incorporates abstinence from sexual activity as an approach to reduce teen pregnancy and STI rates. On the other hand, rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among teens and young adults have been on the rise. On one hand, teen pregnancy and birth rates have fallen dramatically, reaching record lows. Teen sexual health outcomes over the past decade have been mixed.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |