SCHOOL BENEFITS

Studies have repeatedly found that health programs in school help students succeed academically.

A review of school health initiatives conducted in 2009 found that programs that included health education had a positive effect on overall academic outcomes, including reading and math scores (Dilley, 2009).

The most effective strategy is a coordinated approach to health that includes family and community involvement, school health services, and comprehensive health education, which includes sexuality education (The Society of State Directors of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, 2002; US Department of Health and Human Services, 2009).

The CDC has also repeatedly found that student health behaviors and good grades are related. Students who do not engage in health-risk behaviors, such as those that could potentially lead to pregnancy or STIs, receive higher grades than their classmates who do engage in health-risk behaviors. (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2009).

Another benefit experienced by schools as a result of implementing comprehensive sex education is the reduction of violence amongst students.

Teen relationship violence is currently a pressing issue in the United States. Although often under-reported, 10% of teens are physically harmed by their significant other in a given year (The Society of State Directors of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, 2002).

These violent experiences amongst students represent a substantial public health problem in the United States. Dating violence and sexual violence can continue to have damaging effects throughout a person’s life. That is why comprehensive sex education is so necessary in schools.

A 2020 survey of students in 7th through 12th grade found that 56% of girls and 48% of boys reported some form of sexual violence victimization by a peer, which includes unwelcome comments and touching, or being forced to do something sexual.

8.2% of high school students reported physical dating violence, 8.2% reported sexual dating violence, and 10.8% reported sexual violence by anyone. (Basile, Clayton, DeGue, Gilford, Vagi, Suarez, Zwald, & Lowry, 2020).

Many of the major themes that are taught in sex education curriculum are essential in violence prevention (Rollston, Wilkinson, Abouelazm, Mladenov, Horanieh, & Jabbarpour, 2020).

Comprehensive sex education also teaches gender equality from a young age, therefore reducing risk for gender-based violence.

Healthy relationships are another primary theme in sex education; students learn how to communicate personal boundaries and develop strategies to avoid or end unhealthy relationships.

Consent is a core topic taught in sex education, and the teaching of consent is key to preventing sexual violence.