Will adolescent sex education lead to early sexual activity? Several Common Sense of Adolescent Sex Education

Recently, a study found that teenagers who have received formal sex education have relatively late sexual activity and are more likely to use contraception than their peers who have not received sex education. The study involves two types of sex education: abstinence education and an introduction to contraceptive methods, but the study cannot fully clarify the differences between the two (as many abstinence education also discuss contraceptive methods). However, researchers write that, contrary to some critics, there is no evidence to suggest that sex education leads to adolescents engaging in sexual activity earlier or taking more risks.

Guttmacher Institute is a non-profit organization specializing in reproductive health research. The data from the National Survey of FamilyGrowth (NSFG) conducted by researchers in the 2006-2008 US Family Growth Survey was collected by Guttmacher Institute. In this survey, 4691 participants aged 15-24 answered whether they received formal guidance on how to say no to sex and contraception. These participants also answered some questions about their first experience of vaginal intercourse. (Editor's note: NSFG is a survey report by the National Center for Disease Control on family life, marital status, divorce, pregnancy, infertility, etc.)

Abstinence education vs. comprehensive sex education

Researchers roughly divide sex education into two categories: more comprehensive sex education - including how to delay sexual activity and how to use contraception correctly; Abstinence education - focuses only on sexual behavior after marriage. However, some abstinence education also introduces contraceptive methods, but it emphasizes the failure rate of various contraceptive methods. Meanwhile, researchers are unable to determine the quality and content of education. Therefore, the classification of sexual education regarding abstinence and contraception mentioned here is only tentative.

However, the results indicate that approximately two-thirds of women and 55% of men should be cautious before contraception and their first sexual experience. About 20% of the participants stated that they only received education on how to delay sexual activity. Approximately 16% of women and 24% of men have not received any sex education.

Groups that have not received any sex education are the worst in terms of risky sexual behavior. The proportion of students who have received any sex education before the age of 20 who engage in sexual activity is about 77% of girls and boys, while among adolescents who have not received sex education, the proportion of girls and boys is as high as 86% and 88%, respectively.