Sex Education in the Home and the School
The American College of Pediatricians recognizes the health benefits of sexual risk avoidance (SRA – formerly known as ‘abstinence’) as the optimal lifestyle for all youth. Therefore, the College strongly endorses SRA education and recommends its adoption by all school systems in lieu of “comprehensive sex education.” This position is based on the public health principle of primary prevention, promoting risk-avoidance in lieu of risk-reduction to obtain the highest standard of health. The College has released a statement, School-based Sex Education, supporting its position.
- School-based Sex Education in the United States
- Comprehensive Sexuality Education: The War on Children (video by Family Watch International – 35 minutes)
- Comprehensive Sexuality Education: The War on Children (video by Family Watch International – 10 minutes – abbreviated)
The following are additional resources supporting sexual risk avoidance.
Abstinence Education in Context
Comparing Sex Education programs
Abstinence and Marriage Education Partnership
Sexual Risk Avoidance (SRA) Curricula
Medical Coalition Opposes Comprehensive Sex Education
The Sex Talk With Teens Needs To Cover A Lot More Than Birth Control – Article written by ACPeds member on the need for adults to reinforce to teens that our bodies and hearts are connected and the entire package should be treasured and safeguarded.
A History of Sex Education: Sex Education as Bullying
Passport to Purity is a helpful workbook/CD tool to enable parents to address the topic of sexuality with their young teen.
A Summary of Research Surrounding Oxytocin
Correcting Misinformation in the Sex ed Debate
A Proven Approach for Preventing Poverty
Facts About Youth is a practical resource for students, parents and educators on the development of sexual orientation of youth. Amid much confusion in today’s society on this topic, the Facts website provides objective, scientifically-supported information for parents in childrearing and for educators in making sound school policy.
References
1 Freedman, L.P. “Censorship and Manipulation of Reproductive Health Information.” Coliver, S, ed. “The Right to Know: Human Right Access to Reproductive Health Information.” Philadelphia, Penn.: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1995: 1-37. qtd. in Hendricks, Kate et.al. “The Attack on Abstinence Education: Fact or Fallacy?” Medical Institute for Sexual Health, 2006.