The Stats on Sex Ed in the United States

Here’s something wild: 55% of Americans say they never had “the sex talk” with their parents. A lot of parents skip it, figuring kids would get the info they needed in school. But here’s the kicker—our schools aren’t exactly setting them up with the tools for healthy relationships and safe choices.

No National Standard? You’re Not Alone in Wondering What’s Being Taught

For starters, there’s no national standard for sex ed in the U.S. While 38 states require some form of sex education, only 18 of those states actually require it to be medically accurate. Let that sink in. And even where schools are trying, fewer than half of high schools and a fifth of middle schools teach all 20 topics the CDC says are essential (and honestly, these 20 topics are pretty basic).

Abstinence-Only: The Old-School Curriculum Still Going Strong

If you’re picturing something out of your own middle school days, you might not be far off. In a lot of places, students get abstinence-only education—recently rebranded as “sexual risk avoidance.” Lots of federal funding goes toward programs teaching that “abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems” and that “a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the expected standard of human sexual activity.”

Who Decides What Gets Taught?

So, who decides what gets taught and when? Individual school districts, and sometimes even individual schools, which means most parents are left guessing what our kids are actually learning.

How It Plays Out Across States

The approach varies widely across states. In places like California and New Jersey, where they teach comprehensive sex ed—covering contraception, STIs, and consent—teen pregnancy rates are much lower. In states like Mississippi, where abstinence-only is the go-to, rates are higher.

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity? Hit or Miss, at Best

And the inclusivity side of things? It’s inconsistent at best. Only 12 states require any LGBTQ+ topics in sex ed, and four states, Florida, Iowa, Louisana, and Mississippi, require that if LGBTQ+ topics are addressed, they must be presented in a negative light. This leaves a lot of LGBTQ+ kids feeling like their experiences aren’t valid or that they don’t belong.

The Fundamental Issue of Consent and Healthy Relationships

Then there’s the fundamental issue of consent and healthy relationships. Believe it or not, fewer than ten states even require consent to be included in sex ed. When young people aren’t taught how to understand boundaries, communicate openly, or recognize the signs of an unhealthy relationship, it puts them at risk. Studies show that 1 in 3 adolescents in the U.S. experiences some form of dating abuse, and nearly 1 in 9 female high school students report having been physically forced to have sex. And the statistics get worse in college: about 26% of undergraduate women and 7% of undergraduate men experience sexual assault, according to the Association of American Universities.

Teachers Aren’t Given the Training They Need, Either

Unfortunately, often teachers themselves aren’t adequately prepared to lead these lessons. Only about 7% of those who teach sex ed have had formal training in it. That’s it! For a lot of teachers, it’s a topic they’re handed with little prep. And without the right support, many teachers end up skipping lessons or avoiding certain topics entirely.

Parents Want to Help—But Many Are Unsure How

It’s not that parents don’t want to help. In fact, about 70% of parents say they’d like to be involved in their kids’ sex ed—but a lot feel unsure about where to start. Many of us didn’t get great information growing up either, so it’s hard to know what to say or where to find good resources.

Why It Matters: Setting Our Kids Up for Success

At the end of the day, this is about equipping our kids with information and skills that’ll protect and empower them. Comprehensive, inclusive, medically accurate sex ed helps them make choices that are right for them, build healthy relationships, and stay safe. We’re all figuring this out, but knowing where we stand with sex ed in the U.S. makes it clear—there’s a lot more we can do to give our kids what they need, and The Talk Toolbox is here to help.

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SOURCES:

1. National Standards and State Variance in Sex Ed
   Source: Guttmacher Institute. “Sex and HIV Education.” 2023.
   Source: Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS). “Sex Education Policy in the United States.” 2022.
2. Abstinence-Only vs. Comprehensive Sex Education and Teen Pregnancy Rates
   Source: Guttmacher Institute. “Sex and HIV Education.” 2023.
   Source: CDC, Division of Adolescent and School Health. “Effectiveness of Sex Education Programs.” 2020.
3. LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in Sex Ed
   Source: GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network). “The State of LGBTQ+ Inclusive Sex Education.” 2023.
   Source: Human Rights Campaign (HRC). “State Maps of LGBTQ+ Laws and 
4. Consent Education Requirements and Statistics on Sexual Assault
   Source: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). “Consent and Sexual Assault Education in Schools.” 2022.
   Source: CDC Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). “Youth Violence and Sexual Assault Data.” 2019.
   Source: Association of American Universities (AAU). “AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct.” 2020.
5. Teacher Training in Sex Education
   Source: CDC, Division of Adolescent and School Health. “School Health Profiles Report.” 2018.
6. Parental Involvement and Public Health Implications
   Source: Planned Parenthood. “Parents’ Views on Sex Education.” 2022.
   Source: CDC. “Sexually Transmitted Infections Prevalence, Incidence, and Cost Estimates in the United States.” 2021.
   Source: World Health Organization (WHO). “Adolescent Pregnancy and Sexual Health: Global Statistics.” 2021.