Comprehensive sex education is effective against the spread of HIV
Comprehensive sex education is an effective means of reducing the risk among adolescents and young adults of contracting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. That is the conclusion of a review of over 15 years of prevention research by the world’s largest professional organization of psychologists, the American Psychological Association (APA).
Surveys show that by the age of 15 about one in five adolescents has had sex. Most of those who remain sexually active do not consistently use condoms. More than half of new HIV infections occur among those under the age of 25. Unprotected sex is, by far, the major cause of infections within this age group. Experts believe that youth typically do not consider themselves in danger of infection, and lack authoritative information concerning risk factors for contracting HIV.
Unfortunately, sex education in the schools is a contentious issue in some quarters. Although the majority of parents support comprehensive sex education programs for their children, some individuals express concern that sex education might have the unintended result of encouraging sexual experimentation among young people who might not otherwise become sexually active. Some, who favor sex education, advocate that only abstinence be promoted to teens as an HIV prevention measure. It is sometimes suggested that condoms are not effective in protecting against the virus. Research, however, has demonstrated that such concerns and suggestions are unjustified.
Contrary to the belief of some, comprehensive sex education programs that provide information concerning the appropriate use of condoms do not promote sexual activity among young people. Comprehensive sex education programs, and programs that promote abstinence only, are both effective in delaying the onset of sexual intercourse, according to psychologist Maureen Lyon, Chair of the APA committee charged with investigating the matter. Nevertheless, there remains a significant disadvantage in the abstinence only approach.
Programs that exclusively promote virginity pledges, abstinence only, and abstinence until marriage are actually more risky than more comprehensive sex education programs. That is because when participants in abstinence only programs do become sexually active, they are less likely to use condoms, thus increasing their risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Comprehensive sex education, however, provides the best protection from teen pregnancy and STDs like HIV.
Comprehensive sex education programs are those that provide authoritative information about human sexuality and reproduction, encourage abstinence, promote condom use for sexually active persons, and encourage fewer sexual partners. Such programs also emphasize the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment of STDs, and teach young people effective skills for communicating about sexual matters.
The APA committee report recommends that educational programs that are intended to help prevent the transmission of HIV and other STDs among young people be based upon sound empirical research. Further, new programs, such as abstinence-only and abstinence until marriage programs should be tested against programs that have a demonstrated track record of effectiveness before being approved for widespread use.
Other APA recommendations focus upon the need to educate policy makers about research concerning the failure of abstinence-only and abstinence until marriage programs in preventing the spread of HIV among young people.
The full APA report from the Ad Hoc Committee on Psychology and AIDS is available for download at http://www.apa.org/releases/sexed_resolution.pdf.
What is the status of sex education in primary schools in Thailand? I would enjoy hearing the views and experiences of parents, students, and educators in the region. Please send me your stories by email, or post to my web log.
Surveys show that by the age of 15 about one in five adolescents has had sex. Most of those who remain sexually active do not consistently use condoms. More than half of new HIV infections occur among those under the age of 25. Unprotected sex is, by far, the major cause of infections within this age group. Experts believe that youth typically do not consider themselves in danger of infection, and lack authoritative information concerning risk factors for contracting HIV.
Unfortunately, sex education in the schools is a contentious issue in some quarters. Although the majority of parents support comprehensive sex education programs for their children, some individuals express concern that sex education might have the unintended result of encouraging sexual experimentation among young people who might not otherwise become sexually active. Some, who favor sex education, advocate that only abstinence be promoted to teens as an HIV prevention measure. It is sometimes suggested that condoms are not effective in protecting against the virus. Research, however, has demonstrated that such concerns and suggestions are unjustified.
Contrary to the belief of some, comprehensive sex education programs that provide information concerning the appropriate use of condoms do not promote sexual activity among young people. Comprehensive sex education programs, and programs that promote abstinence only, are both effective in delaying the onset of sexual intercourse, according to psychologist Maureen Lyon, Chair of the APA committee charged with investigating the matter. Nevertheless, there remains a significant disadvantage in the abstinence only approach.
Programs that exclusively promote virginity pledges, abstinence only, and abstinence until marriage are actually more risky than more comprehensive sex education programs. That is because when participants in abstinence only programs do become sexually active, they are less likely to use condoms, thus increasing their risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Comprehensive sex education, however, provides the best protection from teen pregnancy and STDs like HIV.
Comprehensive sex education programs are those that provide authoritative information about human sexuality and reproduction, encourage abstinence, promote condom use for sexually active persons, and encourage fewer sexual partners. Such programs also emphasize the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment of STDs, and teach young people effective skills for communicating about sexual matters.
The APA committee report recommends that educational programs that are intended to help prevent the transmission of HIV and other STDs among young people be based upon sound empirical research. Further, new programs, such as abstinence-only and abstinence until marriage programs should be tested against programs that have a demonstrated track record of effectiveness before being approved for widespread use.
Other APA recommendations focus upon the need to educate policy makers about research concerning the failure of abstinence-only and abstinence until marriage programs in preventing the spread of HIV among young people.
The full APA report from the Ad Hoc Committee on Psychology and AIDS is available for download at http://www.apa.org/releases/sexed_resolution.pdf.
What is the status of sex education in primary schools in Thailand? I would enjoy hearing the views and experiences of parents, students, and educators in the region. Please send me your stories by email, or post to my web log.
posted by Michael | Friday, April 29, 2005
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