{"id":351977,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:46","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/reproductive-rights\/sex-education-in-schools.html"},"modified":"2023-07-26T14:17:16","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T19:17:16","slug":"sex-education-in-schools","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/reproductive-rights\/sex-education-in-schools.html","title":{"rendered":"Sex Education Laws and Public Schools"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sex Education Laws and Public Schools<\/h1>\n
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\n By Eric Harvey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Many states have laws that require public schools to teach sexual education as a part of health education. Sex education usually covers topics about sexual and reproductive health. Sex education is usually introduced in middle school or high school. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

As part of many health education programs, sexual education addresses a wide variety of topics related to sexual health. Sex education taught in public schools<\/a> covers topics ranging from abstinence to reproduction. Some programs might also address sexual orientation and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).<\/p>\r\n

Issues of human sexuality and reproductive health tend to be delicate topics. They have become particularly sensitive around LGBTQ+-related issues, HIV education, and abortion. Whether sex education is even considered age-appropriate for any given grade-level student may vary from one state to the next.
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The following article is a primer on sex education laws and public schools. It addresses topics typically covered by most sex education programs and school resources. It also covers the ongoing debate about how sex ed is taught.<\/p>\r\n

Purpose of Sex Education Laws<\/h2>\r\n

Sex education<\/a> in schools was meant to address teen pregnancy and public health concerns<\/a> like STDs or STIs. Even so, the idea of teaching young people about sex in schools tends to meet resistance. Some parents take issue with the way sex ed is approached in schools. Or they might argue that sexual education should be left up to parents.<\/p>\r\n

State laws tried to address these concerns by allowing parents to exempt their children from sex education courses. They also often focus on abstinence methods within their curriculum.<\/p>\r\n

Still, some critics argue that state laws don’t always solve the tension between the interests of the state and the interests of parents.<\/p>\r\n

Topics covered in sex ed can include:<\/p>\r\n