UTC Scholar

Let’s talk sex ed

Chattanooga State undergraduate researchers present current research projects: To address teen pregnancy, STD rates, and negative sex practices, many U.S. States utilize sex education in schools; however, the primary method of sex education is often abstinence until marriage (AOUM). The political policies of states have heavily promoted AOUM curriculum in schools, leading to adolescents lacking in information regarding relationships and matters important to health. In many communities, school-based sex education promoting abstinence has replaced more comprehensive forms of sex-education, in addition to providing incomplete information and failing to include sexual minority youth. While abstinence is in theory fully protective, it is often not maintained, leaving adolescents without education on sexual development, STIs, birth control and how to safely navigate relationships. Several studies have shown that on a national basis, AOUM does not reduce and may increase teen pregnancy rates. Comprehensive sex education was found to be correlated with the lowest teen pregnancy and STD rates across the United States. This shows that comprehensive sex education is the most effective in keeping adolescents healthy and safe. In return, teaching an all-inclusive sex education course leads to lower rates of teen pregnancy and takes a proactive stance to abortion.