Why Sex Ed?
Some Interesting Facts to Consider
In Missouri, according to state law
teachers must advise students that teenage sexual activity places them at a
greater risk for dropping out of school.
—Siecus
89% of Ontario youth believe it was
important that they receive sexuality education in school.
—Public Health Agency of Canada
Over 42,000 womyn aged 15-19 become
pregnant in Canada every year.
—New Brunswick Students'
Ideas About Sexual Health Education, New Brunswick Department of Education,
University of New Brunswick, November 2001.
The U.S. federal government will
spent $170 million on abstinence-only sex education in the 2005 fiscal year.
—The Content of Federally Abstinence-Only Education Programs
In the U.S., many of the federally
mandated abstinence-only curricula present the religious belief that life begins
at conception as scientific fact.
—The Content of Federally Abstinence-Only Education Programs
In the U.S., some of the federally
mandated abstinence-only curricula teach that condoms are ineffective against
STIs and HIV.
—The Content of Federally Abstinence-Only Education Programs
In the United States, teens get
pregnant and contract STIs at rates ranging from three to 74 times higher than
teens in the Netherlands, France, and Germany.
—Sex Etc.
Ohio requires STD and HIV education
and abstinence-until-marriage education, but does not require information about
preventative behaviors or methods.
—Kaiser Family
Foundation, 2000
Approximately one in four sexually
active teens in Canada and the U.S. will get an STD each year.
—Planned Parenthood
Every dollar spent on comprehensive
sexuality education that teaches students about contraceptive methods in Canada
could save approximately $10 from the costs of abortion services and income
maintenance for single teenage parents.
—Canadian Federation for Sexual Health
Lydia Pelot-Hobbs is a bridger from St. Louis, MO. She currently attends Oberlin College in Ohio.
For more information contact youth @ uua.org.
Last updated on Saturday, April 19, 2008.
