There is a severe shortage of inclusive sexual education in our country. This is harming our youth, who need to be informed and included in conversations about sex and sexuality. Here are some stats from Guttmacher Institute that show the problem with how we handle sex education in America. 

For one, 38 states and DC mandate sex education and/or HIV education. Only 25 states mandate both. Half of our states don’t mandate both sex and HIV education. This does the youth such a disservice. These educations go hand-in-hand, and pairing both educations provides a much more well-rounded teaching on safe sex and making smart sexual decisions.  Only 10 states require their sex ed to provide instruction that is appropriate for a student’s cultural background and that is not biased against any race, sex, or ethnicity. And, 3 states require only negative information to be provided on homosexuality and/or positive emphasis on heterosexuality. What this means: 40 states do not require that their sex education isn’t biased. These 40 states are teaching sex education in a way that perpetuates prejudice. For one, they are exclusive to every person of different races, ethnicities, and sexes. Moreover, if states do not ensure their education isn’t biased, their teachings likely frame heterosexuality as the norm, which makes members of the LGBTQ+ community feel like outcasts or inferior. According to GLSEN’s 2017 National School Climate Survey, only 6.7% received LGBTQ-inclusive sex education, which included positive representations of both LGB and transgender/gender nonconforming (GNC). Further, 8.8% of LGBTQ students were taught sex education that included negative representations of LGB or trans/GNC topics.

19 states require inclusion of information on condoms or contraception. More than half of our country isn’t being taught about using condoms and birth control options. The toll this is taking on our youth is apparent: according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), young people aged 15–24 make up half of the 20 million new cases of STIs in the U.S. every year. And, 75% of pregnancies were unintended among teens aged 15 to 19 years. Unintended pregnancy rates per 1,000 women were highest among women who, for one, were aged 18 to 24 years. Without understanding their options and being taught about safe sex and protection, young girls are increasingly at harm for STIs and unwanted pregnancies. 

10 states and DC require inclusive content with regard to sexual orientation. Horribly, 40 states are not teaching developing adults about consent. This doesn’t send the proper, very crucial message that one must get consent before acting sexually with another. This also robs young people of learning how to use their voice and value their level of comfortability. 

37 states and DC require the provision of information on abstinence. 28 of them require that abstinence is stressed, while 9 require it is covered. Abstinence curriculum promotes celibacy until marriage. Although this is a safe option for those who choose it, many don’t. The Journal of Adolescent Health explains, “AOUM [Abstinence Only Until Marriage] programs are not effective in delaying initiation of sexual intercourse or changing other behaviors. Conversely, many comprehensive sexuality education programs successfully delay initiation of sexual intercourse and reduce sexual risk behaviors.” Teaching abstinence doesn’t stop people from being sexually active, but ends up withholding necessary information about making smart sexual decisions now. 

In Michigan, our sex education guidelines are concerning:

• Sex education is not mandated
• HIV education is mandated
• When they provide sex or HIV education, Michigan does not ensure that it is age-appropriate, culturally appropriate, and unbiased, and that it can’t promote religion.
• When giving education, Michigan gives parents a notice but doesn’t require their consent, and they allow an opt-out. 
• Curriculum must stress abstinence as a positive lifestyle.

This sex education is narrow-minded and neglectful of many people’s sexual lives and choices. To drive change, we can contact our elected representatives using this email template provided by The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS). The template is designed to highlight the need for a more inclusive and comprehensive sex education curriculum.  By taking action, we can help to create a more informed society.