COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY EDUCATION

A common tactic used by comprehensive sex education (CSE) advocates is to claim their programs are “evidence-based,” asserting they are backed by studies that prove their effectiveness for young people. However, the research does not support this view, according to a recent in-depth review of some of the strongest and most current studies of CSE in school settings. (See SexEdReport.org.) This extensive analysis reviewed 60 studies of 40 school-based CSE programs in the United States and 43 studies of 39 school-based CSE programs used outside of the U.S. (all studies were previously vetted for research quality by HHS, the CDC, or UNESCO.)

Applying meaningful and recommended standards to assess program effects on increased teen abstinence and/or condom use and decreased teen pregnancy or STDs, the researchers found little evidence of real effectiveness for school-based CSE and a concerning number of harmful effects. Out of the 103 studies, only 10 showed improvement on a key protective indicator one year after the program, for the intended population, without other negative effects. Yet, 15 of these studies found school-based CSE programs had a harmful impact – by increasing teens’ sexual risk behavior and/or reducing their sexual health.