Let's Talk About Sex...Education

09/11/18 • 40 min

2 Listeners

Comprehensive sexuality education refers to sequential learning between grades K-12, where young people are building education and skills related to medically-accurate and scientific topics that are age, developmentally, and culturally appropriate and related to a host of sexual health issues. These issues include human development, healthy relationships, communication, pregnancy and reproduction, HIV and STD prevention, and sexual health and behaviors, including abstinence. The goal of sex education is to equip young people with the skills and knowledge they need to live sexually healthy lives. So why is it such a contentious battleground in the U.S.? Jesse Boyer with the Guttmacher Institute talks to us about sex education across the country.

You might be interested in the Public Health is Dead podcast: https://www.publichealthisdead.com/ 9o03

Support the show

Follow Us on Social:
Twitter: @rePROsFightBack
Instagram: @reprosfb
Facebook: rePROs Fight Back
Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social
Email us: [email protected]
Rate and Review on Apple Podcast
Thanks for listening & keep fighting back!

You might be interested in the Public Health is Dead podcast: https://www.publichealthisdead.com/ 9o03

Support the show

Previous Episode

Bonus Pod: Crisis Pregnancy Centers, SCOTUS and Why We Need to #StopKavanaugh

Crisis Pregnancy Centers are centers that exist to deter pregnant women from receiving abortions. They provide pregnancy tests, anti-abortion counseling and material resources for pregnant women. There are an estimated 2,750 Crisis Pregnancy Centers serving 2.3 million people in the United States today. This number might seem high, but it is actually a low and out of date estimate from 2010. In this episode we talk to Amy Myrick with the Center for Reproductive Rights about Supreme Court case National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra and what it would mean for Brett Kavanaugh to replace Justice Kennedy.

You might be interested in the Public Health is Dead podcast: https://www.publichealthisdead.com/ 9o03

Support the show

Next Episode

A Podcast About All Things Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

So we say this a podcast about all things repro, but it's actually about all things sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). SRHR is the sum of rights and health issues that are related to human reproduction. Sexual health, sexual rights, reproductive health and reproductive rights are a complex and intersecting set of issues that address full control over individual’s sexual and reproductive lives and maintenance of a state of physical, mental and social wellbeing. Nina Besser-Doorley from the International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC) explains the components of SRHR and how it is currently faring in the domestic and global arena.

You might be interested in the Public Health is Dead podcast: https://www.publichealthisdead.com/ 9o03

Support the show

rePROs Fight Back - Let's Talk About Sex...Education

Transcript

Jennie00:00:10.300

Welcome to rePROs Fight Back a podcast on all things repro. I'm your host Jennie Wetter. In each episode, I'll be taking you to the front lines of the escalating fight over our sexual and reproductive health and rights at home and abroad. Each episode, I will be speaking with leaders who are fighting to protect our reproductive health and rights to ensure that no one's reproductive health depends on where they live. It's time for repros to fight bac

Let's Talk About Sex...Education Top Questions Answered

How much money has been spent on abstinence-only programs since the 80s?

Over $2.1 billion has been wasted on abstinence-only programs since the 80s.

What is comprehensive sex education?

Comprehensive sex education (CSE) is a sequential, science-based education from K-12 that covers various topics related to sexual health, relationships, safety, and communication.

What are the benefits of comprehensive sex education?

Comprehensive sex education provides the foundation for informed decision-making and access to affordable contraception. It promotes delaying sexual debut and supports healthier relationships, enhanced use of contraception, and reduces sexual violence and bullying.

Are abstinence-only programs effective?

Research shows that abstinence-only programs are ineffective in delaying sexual activity and can harm young people due to fear and stigma.

What topics does comprehensive sex education cover?

Comprehensive sex education addresses topics beyond sex, such as healthy relationships, consent, breaking down gender stereotypes, and various aspects of sexual health.

How do federal funding decisions impact sex education?

Federal funding decisions made by abstinence proponents impact the long-term effects of sex education programs.

How do abstinence-only programs approach sex education?

Abstinence-only programs promote abstinence until marriage as the sole means of preventing sexual activity and often use fear and shame-based content. They tend to focus on heteronormative perspectives and exclude LGBTQ+ issues.

How do abstinence-only programs perpetuate harmful ideas?

Some abstinence-only programs perpetuate harmful ideas, such as women being responsible for controlling men's sexual appetites.

How many states require sex education?

Only 24 states and the District of Columbia mandate sex education, and just 13 of those states require that instruction be medically accurate.

What role does the Department of Education play in sex education?

The Department of Education plays a limited role in sex education, with most programs and funding coming from the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program and the Personal Responsibility Education Program.

Show more Questions