Comprehensive Sex Education in Pennsylvania
Planned Parenthood and voters agree that young people want and need comprehensive sex education. This should include information about abstinence, as well as information about healthy relationships, contraception, consent, and preventing STDs. Real sex education works. It has been shown to delay intercourse, decrease the number of sexual partners, and increase use of contraception. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of the public agrees with a comprehensive, practical approach to sex education which extends across political parties and religious groups.
For more than two decades, federal funding has been directed to abstinence-only programs. Unfortunately, abstinence-only programs deny teens the information they need to prevent unintended pregnancy and STDs. Many teens who have participated in abstinence-only programs are less likely to use contraception or get tested for STDs.
For more information on sex education, please visit the Planned Parenthood Action Fund website.