As a sexual health educator at public high schools in Tennessee, teachers would consistently jump in as I approached the topic of contraception. Required by law, these teachers would “emphatically promote sexual risk avoidance through abstinence.” After this abrupt interruption, I would then proceed to talk about all forms of contraception, including abstinence.
Students would submit anonymous, written questions near the end of each workshop. Questions might include: Is it okay to be gay? Can I say no if my boyfriend wants to have sex with me? Can I get pregnant from oral sex? How do I talk to my parents about starting birth control? I want to have sex, but I don’t like the way my body looks…what should I do? I’ve only heard of penile-vaginal sex, so how do I have sexual intimacy with someone of the same sex as me? I don’t like the way my partner treats me, but I’m not sure what intimate relationships look like… how do I know what’s okay and what’s not? These are the questions of a country in crisis.
Current sex education standards vary dramatically
Sexuality is so stigmatized that sex education is not mandated in many states, and when it is, the requirements of sex ed vary dramatically. According to the Guttmacher Institute, only 24 states and the District of Columbia require sex education. The institute reports that when sex education is provided:
- 13 states require the information to be medically accurate;
- 8 states require instruction to be culturally appropriate and unbiased;
- 18 states and the District of Columbia require contraceptive education;
- 37 states require abstinence education:
- 27 states require that abstinence be stressed, and
- 10 states require that abstinence be covered;
- 18 states require instruction on the importance of sexual activity only within the construct of marriage;
- 12 states require information on sexual orientation:
- 9 states require discussion of sexual orientation to be inclusive, and
- 3 states require only negative information on sexual orientation.
The benefits of comprehensive sex education
Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) results in improved sexual health outcomes for adolescents, which is well-documented by research. This includes increased rates of contraceptive use, fewer teen pregnancies, lower rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and delayed sexual initiation.
In addition to improved sexual health outcomes, research demonstrates that CSE:
- promotes social and emotional competencies that contribute to academic achievement, reduced risk-taking, and healthy relationships;
- supports the prevention of child sexual abuse;
- advances gender equity; and
- promotes healthy relationships and reduces risk of sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
Furthermore, when sex education is inclusive of LGBTQ+ people, it improves the health and academic achievement of LGBTQ+ youth, thereby decreasing disparities and bullying.
Comprehensive sexuality education is defined by the Sexuality Information & Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) as:
Programs that, in school-based settings, start by kindergarten and continue through 12th grade. High-quality comprehensive sex education programs include age, developmentally, and culturally appropriate, science-based, and medically accurate information on a broad set of topics related to sexuality, including human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behaviors, including abstinence, sexual health, and society and culture. Comprehensive sex education programs provide students with opportunities for learning information, exploring their attitudes and values, and developing skills.
Advocates for Youth, Answer, and SIECUS have partnered to create the Future of Sex Education (FoSE) initiative; this initiative has developed the National Sexuality Education Standards, which provide guidance on the developmentally and age-appropriate, medically accurate, and culturally appropriate and unbiased core content that is recommended for all students grades K–12.
CSE begins in kindergarten, which includes talking with kids about gender, anatomically correct terms for body parts, safe touches, and relationships. Teaching young children about gender affirms the gender identity for those who identify along the gender spectrum and normalizes gender diversity for all youth, which ultimately results in decreased bullying and violence. Additionally, some experts argue that teaching kids the anatomically correct terms for body parts normalizes sexuality from a young age, promotes body confidence, and empowers children with the terminology to describe sexual abuse should this ever occur (it is estimated that 10% risk of sexual abuse occurs before one’s 18th birthday).
CSE progresses via a grade-specific, evidence-informed approach and includes topics such as anatomy, physiology, sexual orientation, gender identity, healthy relationships, contraception, STIs and HIV, pregnancy options, families, and personal safety. This content is delivered by trained and qualified teachers.
How can we create a world where sexuality is normalized – not stigmatized – thereby contributing to less intimate partner violence, safer schools for LGBTQ+ youth, more gender equitable relationships, decreased rates of sexual assault, and a culture where sexual pleasure is valued and sought after in healthy ways? The key to this culture is comprehensive sexuality education for students grades K-12 in all US schools.
The Real Education for Healthy Youth Act (H.R. 2720) was again introduced in the House of Representatives in 2019. The goals of H.R. 2720 are to prevent unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, sexual abuse, dating violence, bullying, and harassment. The legislation would require inclusiveness of LGBTQ+ youth, promotion of healthy relationships, and elimination of federal funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs (i.e. sexual risk avoidance education).
If you are interested in advocating for CSE, consider reviewing this policy brief from Advocates for Youth, then contact your state representatives to discuss support for the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act.
According to testimonials provided by SIECUS, Diana Thu-Thao Rhodes, Director of Public Policy at Advocates for Youth, states:
A world where everyone receives comprehensive sexuality education would mean everyone has the information they need to plan their futures and protect their health. If all young people received sex ed that is comprehensive, LGBTQ+ inclusive, and culturally responsive – then young queer students of color would feel seen and valued, and sexuality would be normalized, not stigmatized. While we still need to dismantle structural barriers like poverty and lack of access to healthcare, ensuring everyone gets quality sex ed is a crucial step towards a sexually healthy world. And a sexually healthy world where everyone receives comprehensive sexuality education is a world that acknowledges that young people have the right to lead healthy lives.
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