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Statistics

All Statistics

Sex Education

How many youth receive HIV/AIDS prevention education?

  • According to the 2007 YRBS, nationwide 89.5% of students had ever been taught in school about AIDS or HIV.1

Does comprehensive sex education reduce sexual risk-taking behavior?

  • According to a comprehensive review of sex and HIV education programs published by the nonpartisan National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, “two-thirds of the 48 comprehensive programs that supported both abstinence and the use of condoms and contraceptives for sexually active teens had positive behavioral effects.” Many of the participants in the programs delayed or reduced sexual activity, reduced their number of sexual partners or increased condom or contraceptive use. 2

How do Americans feel about sex education?

  • Ninety-nine percent of Americans believe it is appropriate for young people to have information about STDs, and 94% of Americans think it is appropriate to teach young people about birth control.3
  • More than eight in 10 Americans (86%) believe that young people should be taught how to use and where to obtain contraceptives.3

How do Americans feel about abstinence-until-marriage programs?

  • Only 14% of Americans think that schools should teach abstinence-only programs and withhold information about condoms and other types of contraception.4
  • Only 13% of adults believe that "teaching teenagers to abstain from sex until marriage is extremely realistic."5

References

1 Eaton DK, Kann L, Kinchen S et al. Youth risk behavior surveillance, United States, 2007. Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report 2008; 57(SS-4):1-138; www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/pdf/yrbss07_mmwr.pdf accessed 6/11/2008.

21 Kirby D, Emerging Answers 2007: Research Findings on Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Washington, DC: National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, 2007.

3 National Public Radio et al., Sex Education in America, General Public/Parents Survey (Jan. 2004).

4 Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc., "Memorandum: Application of Research Findings," Planned Parenthood Federation of America and National Women's Law Center (July 12, 2007).

5 Data from national survey conducted by Bruskin/Goldring Research sponsored by the Durex Truth for YouthTM campaign (Sept. 1997).