Attempting to scare adolescents into abstinence fails to address the primary developmental tasks of adolescence, sexual exploration, and the tremendous need for peer group membership. Fright is not likely to be an effective strategy. Peer Education, Not Fear Education also features comments by various peer educators who discuss the concept of abstinence. Peer educators stress that messages reflecting both abstinence and safer sex are needed for a well rounded approach so that young people can choose what is right for them and their lifestyle. Adolescents also need social skills to enable them to follow through with decisions.
Emphasis is placed on teaching teens how to talk about sexuality with partners.
Role plays are often utilized so that students can practice social situations. Peer educators argue that students are in the best position to provide information on sexuality and HIV to other students. Attention is given to making the presentation of material interesting, fun and interactive. Although some schools have begun to incorporate AIDS education, serious gaps still exist. A 1991 study found that over half of entering high school freshmen felt they were at less risk of contracting AIDS than other people.