Sexual Studies
America has the highest rate of teen pregnancy and STDs among developed nations. Studies show a correlation with the prevalent "abstinence" sex education. Can a more candid curriculum change the trend?
"We've put millions of dollars into abstinence only programs, and what every bit of research has shown is that it does not work" says Selina Vickers, state health coordinator in West Virginia. In a state where 1 in 8 babies are born to teen mothers, America's decades-old promotion of abstinence as birth control is under review. "Abstinence only works if you're abstinent" says OBGYN Jennie Yoost, and studies show that close to 60% of America's 12th graders are not. One US department of health document even acknowledges that abstinence-only programs "can cause an increase in teen birth rates". As state funded sex ed classes remain infrequent and abstinence based, this report looks at a new program called FLASH spreading across US schools, covering consent, birth control, diseases, orientation and abuse.
FULL SYNOPSIS