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Data to Support You

Does medically-accurate, age-appropriate sex education work? The research says yes.  Here’s a summary of the data. 

Medically accurate sex education gives students the knowledge and resources they need to become confident, healthy, and responsible young adults and helps prepare them to make healthy decisions about their sexual and reproductive health throughout their lifetime. Compared to students who get abstinence only or “traditional” sex ed, students who receive inclusive and shame-free sex ed have better sexual outcomes later in life, including: 

None

5x more likely to experience a reduction in STI and pregnancy rates (this is researcher-speak for 'less likely to get pregnant or an STI’).2

13% increase in contraception use.3

Delayed initiation of sex until they feel prepared.4

Effective, inclusive sex ed can save lives.

LGBTQ+ youth are 23% less likely to attempt suicide when schools include education on LGBTQ+ subjects.5 

Schools and communities benefit too. Schools that implemented comprehensive sex ed reported 25% less psychological abuse, 60% less sexual violence, and 60% less physical violence with a current dating partner.6

Funding comprehensive sex education is the right investment to support young people in making informed decisions about their health and futures. In fact, comprehensive sex education reduces unplanned pregnancy in teens by more than 3% in the United States.7

A deep-dive into thousands of studies and articles dating between 1990 and 2020 found that medically-accurate sex education also showed the following outcomes 2: 

Improved knowledge and attitudes about, and reporting of dating violence (DV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) 

Decreased domestic violence and intimate partner violence perpetration and victimization 

Increased bystander intentions and behaviors 

Improved communication skills and intentions 

Child sex abuse prevention

Improved knowledge, attitudes, skills and social/emotional outcomes related to personal safety and touch

Appreciation of sexual diversity

Lower homophobia and reduced homophobic bullying 

Expanded understanding of gender/gender norms 

Recognition of gender equity, rights, and social justice 

Additional Resources

Here are several additional resources that have some great information about the benefits of medically-accurate and age-appropriate sex ed: 

SIECUS

  • Sex Ed For Social Change sets national standards for what should be included in sex education based on rigorous research. Find it here. 

  • SIECUS's Rationale for Sexuality Education in Schools is chock full of data and research. Click here.

Learn More

Sex Ed To-Go

Curious how Sex Ed To-Go meets national standards? Find an overview here. And if you live in California, see how Sex Ed To-Go meets California Healthy Youth Act requirements here.  

Learn More

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG)

ACOG lays out a clear definition and compelling case for medical accurate sexuality education here.   

Learn More

Footnotes

  1. parent_data_fact_sheet_in_english_1.pdf (plannedparenthood.org)
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1054139X20304560)
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7732995/#:~:text=Sex%20education%20is%20associated%20with,3%2C4%2C6%5D.
  4. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000260770
  5. https://siecus.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/CSE-Federal-Factsheet-Sept-2021-Update-2.pdf
  6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1054139X20304560
  7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8872707/

For more information or questions about Sex Ed To-Go, email us!

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