Stricter state laws are chipping away at sex education in K-12 schools
Stricter state laws are chipping away at sex education in K-12 schools ABC News
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State and County Agencies Withdraw Federal Grants for Teen Sexual Behavior Monitoring
DES MOINES, Iowa — A dozen state or county agencies have parted ways with tens of thousands of dollars in federal grants meant to help monitor teenagers’ sexual behaviors and try to lower rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
The withdrawals reflect a shift in many states that is further complicating and polarizing sex education in K-12 schools as some Republican-led legislatures more strictly regulate when and what students learn about their bodies. The new laws are part of a broad push to fortify “parents’ rights” and strike LGBTQ+ content from the classroom, core themes that have flooded the campaign for the GOP presidential nomination.
Experts are concerned students won’t reliably learn about adolescence, safe sexual activity or relationship violence, topics they say are especially important since sexually transmitted diseases rose after the pandemic and access to abortion is increasingly restricted.
Importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The withdrawals of federal grants for monitoring teenagers’ sexual behaviors and promoting sexual health education in schools highlight the challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 3 aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, including the reduction of teenage pregnancy and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. However, the recent shift in many states towards stricter regulation of sex education threatens the progress towards these goals.
Anne-Marie Amies Oelschlager, a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist at Seattle Children’s Hospital, emphasized the importance of trained, trusted adults in providing accurate information to young people. She stated that pushing topics related to sexual health under the rug only increases the risks faced by teenagers.
While fewer teens are sexually active, there has been an increase in sexually transmitted diseases among young people. This highlights the need for comprehensive sex education that addresses safe sexual activity and relationship violence.
Challenges in Sex Education
The recent laws passed by some states have imposed restrictions on sex education in schools. For example, Indiana and Arkansas have banned teaching human sexuality before fourth and fifth grade, respectively. In Kentucky, educators are prohibited from teaching sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases before sixth grade, and parental consent is required for older students. These restrictions limit students’ access to age-appropriate information and foundational knowledge about sexual health.
Advocates for comprehensive sex education argue that these restrictions hinder students’ understanding of puberty, safe sexual practices, and reproductive health. Alison Macklin, director of policy and advocacy at the progressive sex education organization SIECUS, compared sex education to other subjects, stating that foundational knowledge is necessary for students to build upon as they progress through school.
The lack of comprehensive sex education in elementary schools is a concern for many experts. Puberty typically begins between ages 8 and 13 for girls and two years later for boys. However, some states, like Kentucky, have advised schools to eliminate fifth-grade lessons on puberty and reproductive body parts to comply with the new laws.
State Laws and Federal Grants
The withdrawal of federal grants by state and county agencies has further complicated the landscape of sex education. Idaho’s Division of Public Health and New Hampshire have discontinued federal grants for personal responsibility education programs (PREP) due to legislative decisions. However, PREP funding can still be awarded directly to local organizations.
Additionally, several states, including Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, and South Carolina, have discontinued agreements with the CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health to conduct a biennial youth survey. These decisions are often influenced by new laws restricting schools’ ability to administer surveys.
The CDC remains committed to promoting evidence-based sexual health curricula and collecting data on youth health challenges. However, there is a disconnect between the CDC’s recommendations and state and local policies.
Conclusion
The withdrawal of federal grants and the stricter regulation of sex education in schools pose significant challenges to achieving the SDGs related to sexual health. It is crucial to prioritize comprehensive sex education that provides age-appropriate information and equips young people with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their sexual health. By addressing these challenges, we can work towards creating safe environments, preventing teenage pregnancy, and reducing the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases.
Associated Press writers Holly Ramer in Concord, New Hampshire, and Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho, contributed to this report.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to these SDGs because they involve sexual education, adolescent health, and the rights of parents and students to access comprehensive and inclusive information.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
- SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
- SDG 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.
- SDG 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard.
These targets are relevant to the issues discussed in the article as they emphasize the importance of access to sexual and reproductive health information and education, inclusive and comprehensive sex education, and the elimination of discriminatory laws and policies.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These include:
- Percentage of states requiring sex education and HIV education
- Percentage of states allowing parents to opt out of sex education
- Number of states with comprehensive and inclusive sexual health education guidelines
- Number of states implementing evidence-based and age-appropriate sexual health curricula
- Percentage of counties implementing abstinence-plus programs
- Percentage of young people receiving age-appropriate sexual health information based on their zip code
These indicators can be used to measure the extent to which states and localities are providing comprehensive and inclusive sexual education, ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health information, and reducing inequalities in education.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs. | Percentage of states requiring sex education and HIV education |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development. | Number of states with comprehensive and inclusive sexual health education guidelines |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | SDG 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences. | Percentage of states allowing parents to opt out of sex education |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | SDG 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard. | Percentage of counties implementing abstinence-plus programs |
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Source: abcnews.go.com
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