Learning about sexual and reproductive health is empowering. Learning about how our individual bodies work, the several birth control options available to us, and discovering who we’re truly attracted to gives us the opportunity to get to know ourselves better and take control over our own lives. Comprehensive sex education allows us to make informed decisions about our health by giving us all the information we need to make those decisions and doesn’t leave us out in the dark.
Abstinence Only vs. Comprehensive Sex Education – What’s the difference?
As the name states, abstinence-only education is a type of sex education that intends to prevent teens from engaging in any sexual activity, in many cases, outside of marriage. This type of education claims that abstinence is the only certain way to avoid pregnancy and STDs. Although abstinence-only programs claim to delay sexual initiation and reduce teen pregnancy, many studies have shown that teens receiving abstinence-only education are not more likely to delay sexual initiation or abstain entirely from sex outside of marriage.
On the other hand, comprehensive sex education is a type of sex education that covers abstinence AND medically accurate information on a variety of topics, such as sexuality, human development, relationships, decision-making, contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, etc. It gives teens the knowledge that’ll help them make healthy and responsible decisions for themselves. Although it teaches teens about abstinence, it doesn’t tell them that this is the only option available to them. Rather, it teaches teens that if they wish to engage in sexual activity at any point in their lives, they can do so by being prepared and engaging in safe sex.
What’s new in California?
Did you know that abstinence-only education is not permitted in California public schools? AND Governor Jerry Brown recently signed a new law mandating that comprehensive sex education must be taught in school starting on January 1, 2016. This means all sex ed taught in California schools shall be age-appropriate, bias-free, and contain medically accurate information that covers topics mentioned above.