Sexuality Education: A More Realistic View of its Effects

Abstract

Sexuality education has been proffered as a partial solution to a variety of adolescent sexual problems. Research demonstrates that programs increase knowledge, but have little direct impact on values and attitudes, actual sexual behavior, use of birth control, and teen-age pregnancy. This article compares the effects of sexuality education programs with the results of other educational programs and discusses why sex education programs may increase knowledge, but may not effectively change behavior. Finally, good reasons to offer sexuality education are discussed.Research has demonstrated that sexuality education programs increase knowledge, but have little direct impact on values and attitudes, actual sexual behavior, contraceptive usage, and adolescent pregnancy. Research on the effects of nutrition and drug education programs has yielded similar findings. This phenomenon is attributed in part to the limited impact of knowledge on behavior. Adolescents learn about sexuality from many other sources, may not apply knowledge to their own behavior,and may not expect to be sexually active at the time of enrollment in a sex education course. Despite these findings, there are good reasons to maintain and further develop sexuality education in the schools. Such programs have the support of parents and students, impart useful information, are cost-effective, and may have a longterm impact on decision-making skills. A possible modification of existing approaches would be to link sexuality education with programs that enhance motivation and more directly facilitate desired behavior. Another option is to link sexuality education with accessible family planning services. Over 35 US high schools now have school-based health clinics that provide a variety of services, including contraception.