Adolescent Sexual Health and Sexuality Education

Abstract

The sexual health needs of adolescents have been a central focus of the public health community. Adolescence is a unique time of physical and psychological growth and, for many, a time when sexual and romantic exploration begins. Increasingly, attention is being focused on protective aspects of adolescent sexual health and the recognition that adolescents have sexual rights. The right to sexuality information has become the foundational rationale for sexuality education. The main cornerstone of sexuality education is, arguably, formal school-based sexual education (SBSE) that is important because of the ability to reach numerous adolescents and young adults. It involves teaching youth information, skills, and attitudes related to their sexual health and sexual rights. SBSE has evolved over the past decade, and two main curriculum types have been developed: comprehensive sexuality education programs (CSE) and abstinence-until-marriage (AUM) curriculums. CSE is an age-appropriate, culturally relevant approach to teaching about sex and relationships by providing scientifically accurate, realistic, nonjudgmental information. Overall, SBSE has been proven effective in positively influencing sexual health-related behaviors, and researchers have identified key characteristics across effective programs. Still, providing sexuality education into schools is often controversial. To address issues of concern, the public health community has worked to create a supportive environment for SBSE. In addition to SBSE, there are other channels of sexuality education designed to reach vulnerable youth and youth disconnected from formal systems like the educational system.