The US has more than double the teenage pregnancy rate of any western industrialized country, with more than a million teenagers becoming pregnant each year. HIV infection is increasing most rapidly among young people. One in four new infections in the US occurs in people younger than 22. Knowledge alone is not enough to change behaviors. In the US, controversy over what message should be given to children has hampered sex education programs in schools.
Emotional arguments can get in the way of an unbiased assessment of the effects of sex education.
Often sex education curricula begin in high school, after many students have already begun experimenting sexually. Studies have shown that sex education begun before youth are sexually active helps young people stay abstinent and use protection when they do become sexually active. The sooner sex education begins, the better, even as early as elementary school. Reducing the Risk, a program for high school students in urban and rural areas in California, used behavior theory-based activities to reduce unprotected intercourse, either by helping teens avoid sex or use protection. Ninth and 10th graders attended 15 sessions as part of their regular health education classes and participated in role playing and experimental activities to build skills and self-efficacy.