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Sex Education Across the United States

Should sex ed be taught in schools? A surprising number of parents think so.
Helen Massy
Written by

Helen Massy

Sex education teaches people important concepts and facts. They learn about their body parts and consent. They're taught preventive measures against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and infections (STIs). They're shown how to better communicate with others and how to be more inclusive. And so much more.

"When you introduce sex ed at a young age, it teaches youth how to take care of themselves and others," said Michelle Slaybaugh, the director of social impact and strategic communications at Washington, D.C.-based SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change (formerly the Sexual Information and Education Council of the United States). "Through these teachings, youth are able to grow up with skill sets that they may not otherwise learn."

Unfortunately, cultural, structural and systemic barriers in the United States make it difficult for people to access sex education and achieve good sexual and reproductive health, according to Susan Gilbert, the co-director of the National Coalition for Sexual Health (NCSH) in Washington, D.C. This can include factors such as lack of access to healthcare, lack of federal policy around sex ed, poverty, discrimination and social stigma.

So what is the current state of sex education programs across the U.S.? Let's take a closer look.

By the numbers

Slaybaugh provided some valuable statistics to paint a broader picture of sex education in America:

  • 38 states require HIV education
  • 30 states require schools to emphasize the importance of abstinence when sex ed or HIV/STI (sexually transmitted infection) instruction is provided
  • 29 states and the District of Columbia require sex ed
  • 19 states require instruction on condoms or contraception when sex ed or HIV/STI information is provided
  • 16 states provide abstinence-only sex ed
  • 13 states do not require sex ed or HIV/STI instruction to be any of the following: age-appropriate, culturally responsive, medically accurate or evidence-based
  • 13 states require sex ed or HIV/STI instruction to include information on consent
  • 10 states require sex ed or HIV/STI instruction to be culturally responsive
  • 9 states have policies that include instruction on LGBTQIA+ identities and discussing sexual health for LGBTQIA+ youths
  • 6 states explicitly require instruction that discriminates against LGBTQIA+ people
  • 5 states have laws requiring comprehensive sex ed

Even though sex ed is not always being offered, most parents support teaching it in schools. A 2017 survey published in the journal PLoS One indicated more than 90 percent of parents reported they believed it was important to have sex education in both middle and high school. Those findings mirror a survey conducted in 2004.

However, individual school districts often decide what type of sex ed is provided, so the offerings differ significantly across states.

Illustration by Jaelen Brock
Has sex ed changed for better or worse?

Sex education has improved immensely over the past 10 to 20 years, Slaybaugh said. It's moving away from sex-negative and stigmatizing approaches, such as teaching abstinence only when that might not be the best method for everyone.

"There is now more information on how to better teach based on developmental age and how to be more inclusive and gender-affirming," she said. "Unfortunately, due to a lack of federal policy, sex ed varies between states, which is why it has gotten worse in some places. There are 13 states that don't require sex ed or HIV/STI instruction to be any of the following: age-appropriate, medically accurate, culturally responsive, or evidence-based or evidence-informed. And 16 states provide abstinence-only sex ed. This clearly shows there is much work to be done."

'It's easier to have sex than to talk about it.'

Sex ed and your sexual health

Jennifer Rogers, the co-director of NCSH, emphasized sexual health as a vital component of everyday needs and overall health.

"I think we really need to make sure sexual health is put to the forefront, and a lot of that must stem back to education," she explained.

Despite the importance of sex education, Rogers said that when you look at the numbers, surveys show that about half of adolescents confirm they've had sex education that meets minimum standards.

"We're talking about at least half of young people not getting what we would consider being comprehensive, inclusive, medically accurate sex ed," she added.

The knock-on effect of this can then be seen reflected in the following statistics about our sexual health:

These statistics represent the tip of a gargantuan iceberg. Gilbert indicated that recent studies display a decline in condom use among teenagers and adults. The 2021 Family Planning Annual Report revealed condom usage in men declined from 75 percent in 2011 to 42 percent in 2021.

"The bottom line is that most young adults aren't getting comprehensive sex ed," Roger said. "Even if those states are maintaining sex ed, many are mandating an abstinence-only approach. And we know that a comprehensive approach that includes all options for young adults is much more effective in terms of health outcomes."

According to the CDC, sex education isn't solely about protecting yourself from STIs and pregnancy but should include a curriculum that "reflects the diversity of student experiences and identities; and aligns with school, family and community priorities."

This could include topics such as how to have a healthy relationship, what consent means, information about birth control and how to experience sexual pleasure safely. Those are in addition to the core tenets of maintaining safety with regard to your physical and reproductive sexual health.

Illustration by Jaelen Brock
Communication is key

Some of these conversations aren't easy. And if they're not happening at school, they may not happen at home.

"We just finished a lot of research with young adults, and one of the things we asked them was, 'Do you have any role models for healthy relationships and talking with your partners?'" Rogers said. "Basically, very few were able to pinpoint a positive role model."

Gilbert stressed that, in addition, many people lack access to affordable, high-quality sexual health services.

"And so because it's an uneven patchwork across the country, we're not providing people an equal opportunity to enjoy good sexual health," she said.

And as stated previously, sex education should represent more than providing sexual health information, such as facts about condoms, pregnancy and STIs.

"It's educating people and giving them the skills they need to do certain things, whether that means talking to their partners, talking to a healthcare provider [or] building a positive relationship," Gilbert explained.

However, to quote Justin J. Lehmiller, author of the book, "Tell Me What You Want: The Science of Sexual Desire and How It Can Help You Improve Your Sex Life" and one of the country's leading experts on human sexuality, "It's easier to have sex than to talk about it."

For the next installment in our State of Sexual Health series, we will observe the relationship between sexual health and mental health in the U.S. This includes dissecting how they are related and the interplay between them and answering important questions. Why is it increasingly vital to destigmatize sexual and mental health? How can public health organizations and officials improve the quality of care to ensure people are living their best lives?