What is comprehensive sex education?
Comprehensive sex education is sex education which provides information about abstinence as well as safer sex, condom use, birth control and sexually transmitted infections. Comprehensive sex education emphasizes providing knowledge about all aspects of sex. These programs discuss abstinence and explain the potential benefits – emotional, physical, and social – of delaying sex until they are emotionally and physically ready. However, they also ensure that young people have the knowledge and information to be able to protect themselves from infections and unwanted pregnancy when they do choose to have sex (Avert, 2010; Advocates for Youth, 2006)
What is the viewpoint of comprehensive sex education? What are the objectives of comprehensive sex education?
Comprehensive sex education is generally developed and implemented from a risk reduction perspective (sometimes referred to as harm reduction). This perspective recognizes that there are a variety of factors involved in decision-making and acknowledges that each individual makes his or her own decisions about sex and his or her body. Risk reduction sex education programs aim to reduce the potential risk or harm that a person is exposed to during sexual activity, without placing pressure on individuals to abstain completely. For example, risk reduction sex ed programs encourage consistent and proper condom use during every sexual encounter. This type of program often provides hands-on education about why, how and when to use condoms safely and effectively to reduce the risk of infections and unwanted pregnancy, while also offering lower risk alternatives to sex.
The goal of comprehensive sex education is to provide information, resources and skills to individuals in order to equip them for healthier decision-making. Comprehensive sex education programs provide information about abstinence, condoms and birth control, sexually transmitted infections and safer sex. Young people are taught about the risks and benefits associated with various contraceptive methods, and are informed of the potential consequences of unsafe sex. Comprehensive sex education programs work to spread awareness about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including transmission, symptoms, testing and treatment, as well as STI prevention. Some comprehensive sex education programs also teach young people about healthy relationships and communication skills, such as how to deal with interpersonal conflict and how to refuse to have sex with a partner who does not want to use protection.
Is comprehensive sex education effective?
Extensive research has demonstrated that comprehensive sex education programs are effective at reducing negative health outcomes, including sexually transmitted infections and teen pregnancy. Positive health impacts of comprehensive sex education programs have included reducing the frequency of sex, reducing the number of new partners and reducing the incidence of unprotected sex/increasing the use of condoms and contraception amongst sexually active youth. Contrary to some claims, comprehensive sex education programs do not cause young people to engage in sexual activity, and have been shown to delay the onset of sexual activity in some youth. Research investigating long-term impacts of comprehensive sex ed programs have found lower STI and teen pregnancy rates than in youth who have not received such education (Advocates for Youth, Effective Sex Education, 2006).
References:
Advocates for Youth. (2006). Effective Sex Education. Retrieved July 7, 2010 from http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/
Avert. (2010). Abstinence and sex education. Retrieved July 5, 2010, from http://www.avert.org/abstinence.htm
Dunham, W. (2008, April 23). Experts say US sex abstinence program doesn’t work. Reuters. Retrieved July 7, 2010 from http://www.reuters.com
Williams, Mary E. (Ed.). (2006). Sex: opposing viewpoints. Detroit: Greenhaven.
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