Sex education is the provision of information about bodily development, sex, sexuality, and relationships, along with skills-building to help young people communicate about and make informed decisions regarding sex and their sexual health. It is designed to help young people gain the information and skills they need to make the best decisions for themselves about sex and relationships throughout their lives. Comprehensive sex education "enables young people to make informed decisions about their sexuality and health. These programmes build life skills and increase ....
Here are some key points about sex education:
- Sex education helps people gain the information and skills they need to make the best decisions for themselves about sex and relationships.
- It should occur throughout a student’s grade levels, with information appropriate to students’ development and cultural background.
- It should include information about puberty and reproduction, abstinence, contraception and condoms, relationships, sexual violence prevention, body image, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
- It should be taught by trained teachers and informed by evidence of what works best to prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
- Comprehensive sexual health education teaches not only the basics of puberty and development but also instills in young people that they have the right to decide what behaviors they engage in and to say no to unwanted sexual activity.
- Sex education works best when it’s taught early and often throughout the lifespan, includes both information and skill-building activities, is evidence-informed, inclusive of LGBTQ+ youth, rooted in anti-racism practices, trauma-informed, and adapted to the needs of the community.
- Sex education should be taught by trained educators and cover a wide range of topics, including relationships, decision making, communication, gender identity, body image, birth control, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
