Worth the Wait? The Consequences of Abstinence-Only Sex Education for Marginalized Students

Examining LGBTI+ inclusive sexual health education from the perspective of both youth and facilitators: a systematic review

“… 16 23 32 Four studies found that young people were not given basic information about their bodies, reproduction or contraceptives, 17 19 23 32 with some being advised to use condoms without ever being shown how. 19 32 …”

“… 16 23 29 Notably, this was not the case in reverse, whereby heterosexual youth remained engaged when sexual health information was delivered in an inclusive format. 19 23 26 In fact, the inclusion of LGBTI+ topics in sexual health education was shown to reduce stigma, foster self-esteem and limit negative mental health outcomes for LGBTI+ youth. 14 16 17 23 34 …”

“…These included interpersonal skills, listening skills, acceptance and the ability to provide emotional support. 19 20 23 26 29 31 Some facilitators reported applying existing skills such as listening, containment and acceptance when trying to conduct sexual health workshops as this was not provided to them in terms of sexual health training. The tone and manner used to deliver sexual health was also noted as important in how it is received by young people.…”

“They See Sex as Something That’s Reproductive and Not as Something People Do for Fun”: Shortcomings in Adolescent Girls’ Sexual Socialization from Adults

“…By 12th grade, 57% of adolescents engage in sexual intercourse (Kann et al, 2018), with that figure rising to at least 68% by the end of their teenage years (Abma & Martinez, 2017). Adolescents’ formative psychosocial experiences surrounding sexuality may have a profound and lasting impact on their views of sexuality and their sexual selfhood (Harden, 2014; Hoefer & Hoefer, 2017). When sexuality experiences are perceived as more positive, adolescents are more likely to develop a positive sexual self-concept, agentic sexual experiences, positive sexual affect, higher sexual satisfaction, fulfilling sexual and romantic relationships, and an affirmed sense of their sexual and gender identities (Flanders et al, 2017; Fletcher et al, 2015; Impett & Tolman, 2006).…”

“…Historically, research exploring adolescent girls’ sexual socialization from adults, including parents, sexual education teachers, and health care providers, has focused on sexual risk reduction (Deptula et al, 2010; L’Engle & Jackson, 2008). While important, this research often ignores or even de-emphasizes the positive aspects of sexuality (Harden, 2014), particularly among adolescents who have been marginalized and whose sexuality is often invalidated (Hoefer & Hoefer, 2017; Townsend et al, 2010). Thus, less is known about how sexual socialization affects adolescent girls’ positive sexuality development, including sexual well-being, sexual agency, and positive sexual affect.…”