In such programs, they learn instead about a single congressionally mandated standard that is at odds with nearly every other sexuality message they receive from the society in which they live. By contrast, a recent nationally representative poll found that 56 percent of U.S. adults agreed that sexual intercourse should be reserved for a committed, monogamous relationship, whether or not people are married. Only 33 percent believed that sexual intercourse should occur only within marriage. Comprehensive sexuality education rests upon certain core values, including Every individual has dignity and self-worth. Sexual relationships should never be coercive or exploitative.
All sexual decisions have effects or consequences.
Every person has the right and the obligation to make responsible sexual choices. 13 Comprehensive sexuality education encourages young people to complement these values with the values of their parents, society, and culture and to define and clarify the values by which they can live fulfilling, satisfying lives. A vital developmental component in comprehensive sexuality education is encouraging teens to think and teaching them how to think rather than what to think. Moreover, it often provides inaccurate information, even about failure rates. 5 First, consider the assertion about harmful physical effects of sexual activity outside of marriage.