Sex Education in Schools

Providing teens with adequate, standardized sexual health information contributes to less risky behaviors and increased contraception use, empowers them to negotiate romantic relationships more effectively, and assists in avoiding negative emotional and mental health outcomes. Furthermore, arming teens with the necessary information to practice safe sex is linked to decreased rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and pregnancy risk, while promoting healthy behaviors overall. Academically, healthier teens generally do better in school than their less healthy peers and are more likely to obtain their high school diploma, positioning youth for a foundation on which to thrive. While there are many different sex education programs, being exposed to any type is associated with healthier and less risky sexual behaviors for adolescents. After ...