Young people explore their sexuality as a natural process of achieving sexual maturity. Premature involvement in sexual behaviors poses risks. Abstaining from sexual intercourse is the most effective method of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Young people who are involved in sexual relationships need access to information about health care services. Schools can give young people the facts and the relationship skills they need to become responsible adults, and can break the cycle of ignorance, denial, and shame that often passes from one generation to the next.
Most parents say they want their children to receive sexuality education in school.
In countries like England, Wales, France, and the Netherlands, national policy encourages comprehensive, reality-based sexuality education in schools, and young people have confidential access to contraception. Yet their rates of teen sexual activity are no higher than America's, and their rates of teenage pregnancy, childbearing, and abortion are two to seven times lower. American school children are taught reading and writing throughout 12 years of schooling, yet a million U.S. teenagers leave school unable to read. It is unreasonable to suggest that sexuality education by itself will have a dramatic impact on behavior when no other educational intervention is held to such a standard. Teen pregnancy is a complex problem with no single solution.