New Study Reveals that Teens are Getting Less Sex Education Than a Decade Ago

NEW YORK, NY — A new study from researchers at the Guttmacher Institute analyzing the National Survey of Family Growth finds that the percentage of teens who received sex education dropped significantly between 2006 and 2013, particularly for those living in nonmetropolitan areas.

The study, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, found that between 2006–2010 and 2011–2013, there were significant declines in the formal instruction that teen girls received about birth control (70% to 60%), saying no to sex (89% to 82%), sexually transmitted diseases (94% to 90%), and HIV/AIDS (89% to 86%). There was also a significant decline in teen boys’ instruction about birth control (61% to 55%). Twenty-one percent of females and 35% of males didn’t receive any information about birth control from their parents or in school.

Statement from Leslie Kantor, PhD, MPH, Vice President of Education at Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“We know teens need sex education to stay healthy, yet the United States is moving in the wrong direction. Sex education can make a real difference in adolescents’ overall health and well-being. The fact that young people are being deprived of information critical to their sexual health is unacceptable.  

“At a time when there are 20 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases every year and rates of unintended pregnancy among teens remain the highest of any industrialized country, the fact that schools are teaching less about birth control, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS, and saying no to sex is alarming.”

“As the nation’s largest provider of sex education, Planned Parenthood offers programs for teens and parents across the country to try to fill this gap in school-based sex education. Planned Parenthood is available throughout the country to partner with schools in providing high quality sex education.  We hope that this new study serves as a wake-up call that the country can and must do better in giving young people the sex education they need and deserve.”

Planned Parenthood provides education and outreach to 1.5 million people every year in schools and communities across the country, which gives young people the information and skills they need to stay. Planned Parenthood is also committed to reaching people wherever they are with information and health care. Planned Parenthood’s websites in English and Spanish provide accurate, nonjudgmental information about sexual and reproductive health to 60 million visitors each year, our digital tools for teens and young adults include a variety of engaging information to help people make responsible decisions and Planned Parenthood’s innovative Chat/Text program is open 91 hours per week and has served over 500,000 users.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With over 650 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.