America's children and youth face many compelling educational, health, and developmental challenges that affect their lives and their future. A reassessment of the contributions of education and health programs is needed to safeguard children and to prepare them for productive, responsible, and fulfilling lives. Schools have a major responsibility for providing health information that considers the total human being in the educational process.
Schools have a great opportunity to affect the lives of the children and their families.
Early, realistic, age-appropriate health education, which stresses responsibility and includes parents, teachers and health care professionals, may be effective in delaying the initiation of sexual activity in adolescents. Family life education is a sensitive issue because of the feelings, concerns, and questions of parents about teaching of subject matter which traditionally has been the prerogative of the home. The curriculum should be designed to provide comprehensive sequential learning activities based on reliable research. Health attitudes toward family relationships and responsible behavior begin in the earliest years of childhood and can develop best in an atmosphere of respect and understanding that fosters a sense of self-worth.