This paper examines the evolving landscape of teenage sexuality in the United States, focusing on the debate between comprehensive sex education and abstinence-only instruction in public schools. Drawing on national polling data and peer-reviewed research, the paper considers parental attitudes toward school-based sex education, the role of peer pressure in adolescent sexual decision-making, and counterarguments from opponents of sex education. Key studies are reviewed to assess whether sex education promotes promiscuity or negatively influences teen behavior. The paper concludes that research supports comprehensive sex education as essential to healthy adolescent sexual development.
The paper demonstrates the use of empirical research to adjudicate a policy debate. Rather than relying solely on opinion or ethical reasoning, it cites a large-scale study (n=2,000) to test and refute the hypothesis that sex education causes increased promiscuity — a move that shifts the argument from values to evidence.
The paper opens with a brief historical and social framing of changing attitudes toward teen sexuality, then introduces polling data supporting school-based sex education. It acknowledges a communication gap between parents and children to justify the school's role, discusses peer pressure as a complicating factor, addresses opposition arguments, and closes with a policy-oriented conclusion urging comprehensive education over abstinence-only approaches.
Americans have adjusted much of their thinking about teenage sexuality in recent years. There was a time when a pregnant teen would have been removed from school and sent to an institution for unwed mothers. There was a time when a sexually active female was labeled with derogatory terms and socially ostracized. Those days are increasingly behind us as Americans accept teenage sexuality more than ever before. With that acceptance comes the question of when and how to teach sex education.
Schools are at a crossroads: they are dealing with pregnant teens, yet many parents remain opposed to sex education being delivered within the school system. Teen pregnancy, teen sexual preference, and many other topics are not being adequately addressed in teen living classes, and students are left to seek information elsewhere. Adults are not going to stop teen sexual activity, nor will they prevent gay teens from being gay. The most constructive step that can be taken is to provide a solid, truthful education so that young people can be both safe and happy.
A recent nationwide poll concluded that many parents and guardians support a comprehensive sex education program being provided in schools. The study targeted low-income parents and guardians, and the results showed that parents want their children taught about all aspects of sexuality. Parents overwhelmingly wanted topics to include how to use birth control, how to protect against sexually transmitted diseases, and how to understand and accept their own sexual preferences and identity.
The study surveyed several racial and ethnic groups and found consistent results across all of them: "All parents agree across ethnicities that a comprehensive approach is preferable to one that only instructs about the dangers of sex and postponing sex until marriage — African-American (85% vs. 13%), White (80% vs. 16%), and Hispanic (80% vs. 18%)" (National Poll Shows Parents Overwhelmingly Support Comprehensive Sex Education Over Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage by 5 to 1 Margin, SIECUS).
While parents agree that children need to be taught about sexuality, many admitted they are not always addressing the topic with their own children. According to the same survey: "Over four in ten (43%) parents of 9- and 10-year-olds have not discussed the basic facts about reproduction with their child. Even those with teenagers have not tackled some vital topics. Two in ten (20%) parents with 13- and 14-year-olds, and one in ten (11%) parents of kids ages 15 to 18, admit they have not discussed issues about relationships and becoming sexually active with their child" (SIECUS).
According to the study, parents believed that school-based instruction on sexuality would reinforce what they are teaching at home. In addition, students who listen to peers more than to parents might benefit more from a classroom setting than from a parental lesson. Many teens will ask a teacher or outside expert a question they would be afraid to ask their parents. Teens who are considering becoming sexually active might discuss that decision with a teacher and base their choice on factual information. If the same conversation with a parent becomes heated, the decision may be driven by emotion and conflict — potentially leading to choices the teen later regrets.
Teenage sexuality has been addressed since the beginning of the public school system. In former years it was a topic that teachers were told to avoid entirely. In later years, teachers were permitted to address it but under strict restrictions about what could and could not be said. The system now operates inconsistently, with some schools providing comprehensive instruction and others teaching nothing beyond abstinence.
As the nation moves forward, it is important that teens be educated about their sexuality so that they can make the decisions they will inevitably face from a position of knowledge rather than ignorance. Research consistently supports the value of comprehensive sex education in promoting healthy adolescent outcomes. Putting heads in the sand and refusing to acknowledge that teens are sexually active will not make them stop. Research has shown that education is the key to healthy sexual development.
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