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New evidence: data documenting parental support for earlier sexuality education
Elissa M Barr1, Michele J Moore, Tammie Johnson
1Associate Professor, (ebarr@unf.edu), Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224.
The Journal of School Health
|December 11, 2013
Summary
Most parents support age-appropriate sexuality education in elementary schools, covering topics like communication, anatomy, and HIV/STIs. Support increases for comprehensive or abstinence-plus approaches in middle and high school.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Sociology
Background:
- Existing research confirms support for middle and high school sexuality education.
- Limited data exists on parental support for elementary school sexuality education.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess parental support for sexuality education topics and approaches in elementary, middle, and high schools.
- To identify demographic factors influencing parental support for different sexuality education models.
Main Methods:
- The Florida Child Health Survey (FCHS) surveyed 1715 parents.
- Data was collected via phone interviews as part of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
Main Results:
- High parental support was found for teaching communication skills (89%), anatomy (65%), abstinence (61%), HIV/STIs (53%), and gender/sexual orientation (52%) in elementary schools.
- Support for these topics, plus birth control and condoms, was higher in middle (62-91%) and high school (72-91%).
- Comprehensive (40.4%) and abstinence-plus (36.4%) education were favored over abstinence-only (23.2%).
- Parental demographics significantly influenced support for education types.
Conclusions:
- Findings strongly support implementing age-appropriate, school-based sexuality education beginning in elementary school.
- Results align with the National Sexuality Education Standards.
- Recommendations include funding for evidence-based abstinence-plus or comprehensive sexuality education programs.
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